BallReviews
General Category => Miscellaneous => Topic started by: xrayjay on March 05, 2014, 01:27:00 PM
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I'm in the early stage of arthritis on my hands. Over 20 yrs of Martial arts, frequent hand/finger injuries (not from punching), bad diet, inactive for 12 yrs, and severe weight gain may have played a major roll in my OA.
It's my middle finger which is sore/stiff during and after bowling. It's affecting my roll. My span is a relaxed span with cut to cut at 4.5". My ring finger had been shorted years back and it doesn't bother me, just the middle finger.
What have you done as far as your grip? It's been over 2 yrs and it's time to recheck my span soon anyway. I'm just wondering what You've done to help w/ your arthritis. (my wrists are okay, just my finger joint)
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I'd suggest with getting your fit checked that you might add some reverse to your middle finger at least, maybe just start with 1/4 rev or something. It won't affect your shot, but it will bring the front side of the hole up so you don't have to bend your finger so far to contact it.
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Agreed. I've bowled with arthritis issues for the last five years and adding reverse plus shortening the span were the only two things that helped. As it so happens, my fingers are doing better at the moment once I let the pain heal up and now I am adding a little forward back into the layout since my revs decrease significantly with the added reverse, but you do which you have to do in order to continue enjoying the sport, right?
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My hand is going thru the same thing (I'm a keyboard cowboy by day, and used to be a bowler by night. Lots of movement). I recently just increased my reverse in my middle finger to half reverse, and ring finger to 5/8 reverse. I was 3/8 reverse in both fingers. I also backed off on my forward in my thumb (was 1/4, now 1/8) and got rid of my lateral (was 1/8 to the palm). Bowled 4 games, and didn't have any pain or ripping like I had been getting. Fingers feel more flush on the ball (I could probably go a little more reverse, but meh.)
Don't be afraid to go with as much reverse as you need. I don't use grip, or any bevel, and the 1/2 and 5/8 feels great.
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My wife and I both suffer from mild arthritis. The best and only advice I can give not only for bowling but in general is eat right (watching especially to avoid foods that cause inflammation), exercise and take care of yourself.
It will mitigate the arthritis better than anything you do, trust me, and has about 100 other benefits that extend far beyond the bowling alley.
I know it sucks, but it's worth it.
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hey thanks guys...I'll def look into getting rechecked and hopefully get things to work before fall/winter season starts.
I may loose some revs but if I could bowl pain free, I'll gladly take it.
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I'm in the early stage of arthritis on my hands. Over 20 yrs of Martial arts, frequent hand/finger injuries (not from punching), bad diet, inactive for 12 yrs, and severe weight gain may have played a major roll in my OA.
It's my middle finger which is sore/stiff during and after bowling. It's affecting my roll. My span is a relaxed span with cut to cut at 4.5". My ring finger had been shorted years back and it doesn't bother me, just the middle finger.
What have you done as far as your grip? It's been over 2 yrs and it's time to recheck my span soon anyway. I'm just wondering what You've done to help w/ your arthritis. (my wrists are okay, just my finger joint)
here is another suggestion. I went to the GRIPPS glove. remove the inserts and use the glove free from arthritis. I actually found that useing a 29/32 fimger hole instead of the standard 31/32
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Arthritis? Only in my knee, back, neck, and bowling fingers.
When it's new to an area it's pretty painful, but over the coming years you will find what works best for you. Arthritis is from the wear and tear over time. Most of us will experience it before we're very old. Icing the area after bowling will help alleviate the internal swelling in the joint, too.
For my fingers, it helps to tape (1/2" wide adhesive tape) snugly right between my first joint (fingertip) and the second one. The snug tape seems to support and take some of the stress off the first joint by distributing it more evenly on the rest of the finger.
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I have advanced arthritis, bad enough that I cannot make a fist. Went to 7/8 reverse, and I gained revs as I can release the ball without pain. I still take alieve and my hands hurt, but no more than when I do any other activity.
Best of luck
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I added reverse pitch to my finger holes. If you use finger inserts, switch from a soft insert to a harder insert. I did that as well. I did not lose any revs or hitting power. My scores have actually improved.
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Q for you guys:
If a middle finger has reverse and the ring finger is at zero, or forward, would there be more weight on the ring finger at the bottom of the swing? Thus, more stress on the ring finger?
Also, this Griip glove, I've heard it before. The time I decreased my visits to BR couple of years ago is about the same time threads about this glove populated here. I remember jabs and crosses were thrown from both sides, but I could be wrong lol. It's been awhile.
Anyone else tried the Griip Glove?
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Don't be afraid to go with as much reverse as you need. I don't use grip, or any bevel, and the 1/2 and 5/8 feels great.
I'm afraid...lol that sounds like a lot, but it works for you. I'll have to find someone to work with me, bowling with finger pain sucks.
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Keep in mind that the more reverse pitch you use, the more grip pressure you'll use (trying not to lose the ball early off your hand). More grip pressure could actually mean more pain over time. Span determines pitch more than any one thing, so be careful because what works for Bowler A, may or may not, work for you. Bowler A may have a longer span...
On those days when my fingers hurt more I just take a few ibuprofen and hour before I bowl to knock the edge off the finger pain.
You could try adding a pinky hole, which is fairly common those those with arthritis.
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Keep in mind that the more reverse pitch you use, the more grip pressure you'll use (trying not to lose the ball early off your hand). More grip pressure could actually mean more pain over time. Span determines pitch more than any one thing, so be careful because what works for Bowler A, may or may not, work for you. Bowler A may have a longer span...
On those days when my fingers hurt more I just take a few ibuprofen and hour before I bowl to knock the edge off the finger pain.
You could try adding a pinky hole, which is fairly common those those with arthritis.
I'm really confused with the readings I've done on pitches/angles. and you're right, not everything works for everbody. I just need some time to work with someone to adjust my grip. Here's what I have now.
My Span is 4 1/2 on both fingers. The ring was shortened by 1/8 because I was having pain in my second joint of the RF. My span is relaxed
My fingers are both zero with 3/8 lateral.
My thumb is 1/8 forward with 1/8 lateral.
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Jay,
Our hands are very close. My span is 4 5/16" and 4 1/2".
I use 1/8 forward on my thumb with 0 lateral, and my fingers are 1/8 reverse - only because I use the power lift inserts. If I used the oval inserts I'd probably keep the fingers at zero, too.
With your span being what it is, you could certainly try a little reverse on the fingers, much like I do, without reservation. I'd keep your thumb where it is, too. All you can do is try it and see if it helps.
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Take the finger inserts out. That will make a bigger difference than any pitch change.
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Take the finger inserts out. That will make a bigger difference than any pitch change.
hahaha...that's what a buddy from WA just told me, thanks Mike....btw, is Tiger going to blame his back if he has another bad outing this week? He's behind 6 right now....
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Tiger is out of sorts due to lack of extra curricular activity. Giving up the ho's is a serious lifestyle change.
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Seriously, try a ball with no inserts. You will feel like you're fanning on the ball at the bottom for a while but there will be way less strain on your fingers. Once you get used to the feel you will realize that you aren't fanning on it.
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Is there any regular bowler out there that has absolutely no arthitic pain in their bowling hand? I have had this pain ever since I started bowling on a regular basis. Add to that my left knee, lower back, neck, and a rotator cuff injury to my non-ball shoulder. I'm beat up, and only about 50 years old, but I love the game.
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I'll give it a try without inserts then go from there. I still have a few more months till the season starts. Hopefully when I head overseas this summer I can bowl in the places I visit.
Artimust - man I'm 9 yrs your junior, I really did bad to my body. lol
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I'll get span re checked and go without inserts on a ball or two then go from there.
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Going without grips is a good suggestion, because if it doesn't work, grips can always be added later just by enlarging the holes, while pitch changes would require plugging.
I'd still suggest reverse in the fingers. Reverse in the thumb will make you squeeze, but reverse in the fingers won't, or it shouldn't as long as you don't go crazy. I have 3/8ths reverse in my fingers and I find I squeeze less because I'm not trying so hard to wrap my fingers under to contact the front side of the holes. There's a good balance there. The right amount of reverse in the fingers fits how your fingers naturally want to lay in the first place without any negative side effects. We have a guy here in town that has no physical problems, but he used to tear his fingers and grips up like crazy. Ended up at 1/2 reverse in his fingers, now he's fine and he hasn't lost a single rev, but he has increased his stamina dramatically. I feel like it takes more effort repeatedly to throw a ball with 0 in the fingers than some amount of reverse, it's about fitting the way the hand naturally wants to lay. I really think you would be surprised.
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Right now I have zero on fingers with 3/8 lateral on both. Thumb is 1/8 forward and away. Span/cut I'm 4 1/2 on both fingers - the ring finger was brought back an 1/8 a while back due to pain on my second joint.
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Arthritis flare ups in my right ankle is what I am going through now. A little in the hand as well. Product of getting old ;D I played a lot of basketball and volleyball in my youth and I can remember a doctor telling me after my latest severe sprain that when I get older, it would be a pain. Who listens to doctors when you are 20 :)
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Doctor told me I would get arthritis around 60 he was right on the money I have it in my middle finger started when I turn 60.
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I belong to an old school/traditional Martial Arts dojo from overseas. And during my time in the early 80's to 2002 there was NO pads, NO mats, NO crying. Intense training at a young age - State siders will say it's child abuse if they saw how we trained :D broken bones, joints, or whatever injury were common place.
Anyway, our sensei said..... training after so many years in any martial art/boxing, one should not stop. Once we do, we will become fragile, break easily. The hard (bones) will be soft and the soft (joints/soft tissue) will be hard. I guess I'm stupid for not listening.....
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Griips on one finger only plus stretchable waterproof brown tape has helped plus decreasing the span to short finger tip. Still swells after bowling but not nearly as bad.
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I have not yet read all the replys but l use a liniment called VOLTARIN, l live in Canada so not sure if it is available in U.S...but IT WORKS..just rub in in nothing noticeable immediately but within 3 to 5 days the pain is gone.