I'm sure I'm not the only one here who has this problem, but how do guys with carpal tunnel, various types of arthritis, or other types of hand issues deal with training? For those who put a high round count through your guns, and have chronic hand pain, what do you do to prevent it to maintain your training regiments?
I have arthritis in base of thumbs and elbows.
I mainly shoot 9mm HK P30 LEM. Shoot some HK USP 45, some J frame .38 Special. Very rarely shoot .44 Mag model 29 - .500 Linebaugh Bowen Redhawk. Anything past USP 45 makes me sore for a few days to a week. Part of being 59 I guess.
I train to keep strength, Trapbar deadlifts, presses, pulldowns/pullups, kettlebell swings. I do some grip work and some finger extension work with rubber bands. Do not overdo grip work that can lead to tendon and ligament issues. I get accupuncture every 2 weeks this seems to help. YMMV.
I find using a strong grip shooting tends to help prevent pain as it seems to make the hand more resistant to having it's joints abused.
+1 on acupuncture and dry needling, in addition to soft tissue work with my physical therapist. I also dig the rubber band work 1slow showed me I think that's helped too in the short time I've been using it.
You can also look at a supplement of Boswellia or Turmeric. Turmeric helps cut inflammation, honey is also supposed to help. I've just started taking turmeric and have yet to notice a difference but know a few people who shoot more than I do who swear by it. This is a good topic I'd like to hear others takes on it.
Anyone have issues in the first knuckle joint coming down from the finger tips?
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Last edited by Mike C; 05-05-2017 at 10:16 AM.
Stop shooting and see a qualified medical professional and then get a second opinion, preferably from someone with a sports background in tennis or baseball. A little time off and getting healthy, never hurt anyone. Shooting pain may be a symptom and not the actual problem. If your hands hurt when you shoot because you sit and type on a computer all day with bad posture and body positioning, addressing chronic hand pain when you shoot isn't going to be very helpful.Originally Posted by matt7184
Not be a complete smart ass, but shoot less. Sometimes we have to limit the things we enjoy to continue doing them. It may slow down your long term goals, but you can make up the volume and repetition by shooting less per session, extending the training calendar and adding more sessions.
Whether you think you can or you can't, you're probably right.
I have (a self diagnosed) touch of arthritis at the base of my right thumb. No other fingers or digits effected.
However, some months or a year back I noticed when I woke up, that the knuckle you are referring to on my right hand middle finger didn't want to bend. It freaked me out and after grabbing the hand and stabilizing it, it was fine a few moments later. I've noticed that from time to time it will be semi-locked like that after a period of sleep where it feels like it won't bend immediately. Naturally, I haven't seen a doctor about it, (that's on me), as it has not had any effect whatsoever on shooting, lifting weights or any activity but for the odd time it happens upon waking.
Probably overuse syndrome from flipping the bird at so many drivers in NY and South FL over the years.
There's nothing civil about this war.
I have some arthritis, a squished cervical disc from a parachute accident, a badly reset metacarpal - the palm bone for the little finger of my left hand, boxers break from hitting something
The army taught me to suck it up and get on with it, so I do - the pain just becomes a normal part of life. I had the benefit of a lengthy emergency medical training course at Govt expense and have also seen some specialists, so I am able to understand what is happening to me and know the practical physical limits of my injuries. To maintain hand motion and flexibility I squeeze a rubber ball for an hour every day whilst out for a run - the ball I got from dicks, one of the small orange basketball looking ones they sell at the counter for a buck or two.
I know a chap who was intitially paralysed from the neck down due to a helo crash, six months healing and re-construction and he is now on the range again. Another I know was in an MRAP when it was IED'ed, three squashed disc's, constant pain down the arms and he still shoots three or four days a week.
Last edited by Chuteur; 05-05-2017 at 11:09 AM.
As I approach the 50 mark, I have noticed an increase in hand pain.....especially right before rain sets in.
I try to never take OTC meds nor imbibe in spirits.
Biggest thing that helps me (and helps strengthen my grip) is a hand grip thingie in my personal cars as well as my work car (patrol car). As I drive around, I will do reps with each hand and it helps me tremendously. I can tell when I haven't been diligent about doing the reps when I notice my hands hurting. I also do light weight training at home with dumb bells and push up stands and that seems to help as well.
I don't really notice a change in my shooting as far as pain is concerned but the more I strengthen my grip (or rather, keep it where it is at despite time ticking away), the tighter my grips are during practice sessions. I've got to invest about six more years minimum in this gig to reach 25 hard years and try to fight off aging as much as possible. Some days are easier than others but a firm grip is advantageous in my line of work for more than just shooting.
YMMV, of course.
I've got ligament/tendon issues in both hands. I was diagnosed with DeQuervain's Syndrome in post thumbs while I was on Active Duty. It's like carpal tunnel but in the base of my thumbs. Then I displaced my ulnar nerve (required surgery) in a training accident. The issues in my thumbs have become more pronounced with revolvers than with semi-autos. It has to do with the recoil forces and how they interact with the hand. I went shooting with one of my doctors and had him work with me. Unfortuantely, we've come to the conclusion that, other than .22lr or my .32S&WLong, revolvers just aren't an option for me. Shooting a S&W 637 with CT405 grips and 148gr WC hurt more than running a S&W Bodyguard in .380 (using Hornady Critical Defense). So I've adjusted what I carry/shoot and have to deal with some limitations. I've also had similar issues with .40 cal vs 9mm/.45ACP. When the doc and I looked at how the gun/slide recoils we came to the conclusion that the slide velocity of the .40cal (Beretta 96) was more violent than the 9mm (Beretta 92) or the .45ACP (Beretta Cougar). I could run a 100-150 9mm without issues, (75-100 .45ACP) but only took 25-30 .40cal rounds to start causing pain. The next day (or couple) would suck too. So I know/understand I can't run high round count training sessions so I try to run smaller count sessions more frequently.
@blues - I was developing stiffness in my right index finger. I figured it was onset arthritis (runs in family). After finally talking to the VA about it, they determined that it was actually tendonitis in the back of my hand. Like carpal tunnel but on the back side. the swelling is in the protective sheath at the base of the hand/wrist but manifests itself in "feeling tightness" in the fingers. Next time, try ice therapy (15 minutes on, 15 off, 15 on, 15 off) on that area, might help.I have (a self diagnosed) touch of arthritis at the base of my right thumb. No other fingers or digits effected.
However, some months or a year back I noticed when I woke up, that the knuckle you are referring to on my right hand middle finger didn't want to bend. It freaked me out and after grabbing the hand and stabilizing it, it was fine a few moments later. I've noticed that from time to time it will be semi-locked like that after a period of sleep where it feels like it won't bend immediately. Naturally, I haven't seen a doctor about it, (that's on me), as it has not had any effect whatsoever on shooting, lifting weights or any activity but for the odd time it happens upon waking.
Probably overuse syndrome from flipping the bird at so many drivers in NY and South FL over the years.
Thanks, Doug. I've had a variety of issues with my hands over the years from ulnar nerve compression, (3 weeks of cross country by motorcycle with several long 800 mile days), detaching a tendon in my left middle finger, (kind of what happens in baseball when the ball hits you on the tip of the finger causing the tip to drop), thumb and finger injuries from rock climbing, xc skiing and karate etc etc.
Nothing bothers me at the moment but for the "arthritis" at the base of the right thumb and that finger tip sticking issue from time to time upon waking. (Well and a couple disfigured fingers that have been like that since I set them myself after football or basketball games.) Just live with it like others do and have.
I'll keep your recommendation in mind. I did lots of ice pack treatments while rehabilitating my right hand after taking 16 stitches in a fall last October.
There's nothing civil about this war.
A little oblique to the topic being discussed but the reason why will become apparent. Somewhere between running with rucksacks, falling down mountains and off motorbikes I herniated a lumbar disc. It manifests itself as a dull ache down my right leg especially on damp, or cooler days.
I hit the books on the subject and found a treatment that helps alleviate the pain somewhat. PROLOTHERAPY. This can be carried out on any ligament to strengthen the ligament to compensate for a weakness in that particular area. The treatment is simply injecting medical grade glucose solution into the ligament. My semi-edjimacated lay persons understanding is that blood does not actively flow to ligaments so they cannot be naturally stimulated to develop by exercise - the glucose solution irritates the ligament so that what blood flow there is allows the ligament to grow and strengthen therby increasing more functionality to the area.
In my case I had 6 injection 3 times (total 18) around my lumbar region ligaments in order to strengthen those to help strengthen the supporting area around my herniated disc - I still, run, cycle and jump out of planes. The doc who did the procedure for me was the specialist who looked after the England football team (thats proper football) and rugby team, he also worked with some of the top golf names who suffer mainly tears in their arms so he used to do the prolotherapy to repair their arms.
It may be useful for someone to know about, or speak to a doc about.
Last edited by Chuteur; 05-05-2017 at 02:26 PM.
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