Hi!

I'm a right-handed bowler, and I've been on and off experiencing pain in my right ring finger.

About two years ago I started tugging my pinky, after using this release for about two months, I experienced sharp pain in the lower part of my ring finger (where it joins the hand), so I stopped tugging my pinky and the pain 'kind off' went away.

About four months ago, the pain came back. It usually happens after I've finished bowling and recently during bowling, and it usually lasts a few days; and if I bowl every day then the pain would not even go away at all.

Sometimes, after bowling, the pain is so bad that I even start thinking about learn to bowl left-handed, and give up bowling right-handed altogether.  

I have not yet seen a doctor (it's hard to see a doctor for this kind of injury in U.K. believe me!), and I don't want to be told that I need to have surgery. If I was told that it requires surgery, then I'd rather learn to bowl left-handed.

Those magnetic bracelets, do they work? If so, which ones do you recommend?  Do you have any other remedy?  What about changing to Sarge Easter?  Would that help putting less pressure on my ring finger?

Other info about me:  I use Vise grips, no glove/wrist support. I have had my grips/span/pitches checked recently.

I have six NIB balls sitting at home, but I don't want to drill them until I sort this out!  

Many thanks in advance for your help!
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Where is the LOVE  ?



Bowl Angry!

You had your span checked...but:

- where you wearing your brace when the span got checked?
- did your pitches also get checked?

I had a similar issue about 9 years ago when I used to tuck my pinky.  I also had a semi-stretched span with a good amount of forward in my fingers.  At the time I just shortened my span by a 16th and stop'd tucking my pinky...that served me well for years.  I have since gone to reverse pitches in my fingers along with changing my span again...but this was just the evolution of my grip and not due to pain.
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-Chris: DJ's Pro Shop : Auburn, MA

There are ball fitters/drillers and then there are ball fitters/drillers.  You had your span checked but did you have it checked by someone else as a second opinion?  Also, do you use a stretched span or relaxed?  And, when you had your span checked, was it with your pinky tucked?  I've noticed that when I tried tucking mine, it seemed to stretch the fit a bit.  That might have caused pressure on your ring finger, especially if you already use a stretched span.

I am not a driller but I think recently more are recommending a shorter or relaxed span than what was recommended many years ago.  Dont know if the drillers in your country have gone that way yet.

My advise is to see a doctor if you have pain and get another driller to check your span/fit.
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I just want 2C was'zzub.
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I am the SGT Schultz of bowling.
"I know nothing! I see nothing! NOTHING!"
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Change your release, if you can, to relieve tugging you fingers. Try getting a cortisone shot in the joint. I had one last year for chronic tendonitis in my bowling hand and it gave me enough relief and the injury eventually healed. Good luck!

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When the tide of life is against you, and the current upsets your boat, don't waste those tears on what might have been, just lay on your back and float!