numb finger

[corpsman89]

#6812

so last week right after shooting, i noticed the tip of my middle finger had gone numb, it wasn’t blistered or callus, like happened when i first started shootin, just numb. it’s been a week now and not gone away, infact i tested it with a needle to make sure, still numb.

i know some temporary nerve damage can cause this and will eventually go away on its own, but im not sure what caused it, i use a glove and shoot 3 under, but i’ve always done that, was this a one time faux pas on my part with my release or is it a war of attrition where my fingers just need to get use to it?

also, i use to shoot with 60 lbs limbs but found that my shoulder fatigued and after about 30 arrows my accuracy was crap, so i switched to 45 lbs limbs and now i shoot roughly 100 arrows in one trip, would that increase of use cause the nerve damage?

[Arne Moe]

#55391

corpsman,

You have asked a LOT of questions : brace height, nocking point wear ( NOT notching point) and now a numb finger.

Sorry, BUT you NEED to find a mentor!!!!!!!!!!!!! That person can help you avoid all the difficulties you seem to be having.

I’ll address a couple of your questions on this thread.

FIRST!! DO NOT shoot again until you have regained feeling in your finger!!!!!!!!! Some folks have a sensitive nerve that runs through the center of the first joint of the middle finger that is more sensitive and can cause what you describe. ONCE you have feeling back in that finger (AND NOT UNTIL!!!) try hooking the string just behind the joint and NOT IN the joint.

Second, Figure out why you are getting wear on the serving at the “nocking point” and fix it — BUT you DO NOT wax the serving!!

Last, 60# and even 45# can cause a lot of problems for beginners. And a 100 arrows may be way too much for starting out. Just because you CAN PULL the bow, doesn’t mean you can SHOOT it.

I REALLY wish you good luck, but I see a LOT of beginner’s errors here. Find a local that can help!

Arne

PS!!!! Quit poking yourself with needles!!!! Numb is numb and you don’t need to further injure yourself with “testing!!!!”

[Cameron Unruh]

#56172

*

[Arne Moe]

#56214

corpsman AND Cameron,

I ABSOLUTELY did not mean to come across as “harsh!” In reading my post again I can certainly see that I probably did. Sincerest apologies!!!

I was just trying to help. corpsman, I believe you hail from the San Diego area? That was the intent of that part of the post. There should be LOTS of help in the area (Chula Vista is the Olympic archery training center) and there will be many trad shooters and formal coaches in the area if I’m not mistaken.

Again, SORRY!! 😳

Arne

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#56265

corpsman –

You might want to get in touch with the San Diego Archers Club to hook up with some like-minded folks (they shoot @ the Rube Powell Archery Range). Like MoeBow says, there is a pretty active trad culture in SD.

[jason samkowiak]

#56347

I would go see a doctor about the numbness lasting over a week. Might be some nerve damage. A doc could tell you what happen so you can avoid or change something so it doesn’t happen again.

Sore fingers occasionally happen with long practice sessions. But not week long numbness.

What glove are you using? Some are pretty thin. You might be better off with a thicker glove or tab.

But as said above…..don’t shoot until you get your finger checked out.

[Forresterwoods]

#22091

I use a thumb ring after damaging both my middle finger as well as index finger from a table saw. I was amazed to find the majority of archers world wide do the same.

[robbin68]

#35968

I have a couple shooting gloves that were given to me that I believe are made with cordovan leather. They are extra thick and tough. I have trouble getting used to them, but they might be something to look into if the extra protection could keep you shooting!:idea:

[Forresterwoods]

#36050

What size are they?

[robbin68]

#36117

I think xl. I am only shooting a 48# bow and I prefer my deerskin shooting glove. eventually planning to step up my draw weight for larger than whitetail size animals and that thicker leather might be more applicable for me then. but anyone having trouble with sore fingers should try a cordovan glove for extra fingertip protection.

[Murray]

#36186

Another suggestion would be the Saunders Pak tab. You can build it up in layers, to your preference. I get a good release, and have had no trauma to my fingers since using one. I shoot 66 lbs., and it’s very comfortable.

[Forresterwoods]

#36205

Robin.

I appreciate the thought but actually I am not able to open my shooting hand all the way due to my injury. That is why I use the thumbring. However the Korean type I use still require significant thumb and middle finger movement. The Manchurian type is a bit different and uses much less finger movement to operate. When in cold weather I use larger thumb rings that fit over hand gloves. Thanks for the offer.

Kevin

[Author]

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