Author Topic: anybody bowling with arthritis? (Read 28738 times)

xrayjay · « **on:** March 05, 2014, 01:27:00 PM »

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)

Gizmo823 · « **Reply #1 on:** March 05, 2014, 02:09:03 PM »

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.

lefty50 · « **Reply #2 on:** March 05, 2014, 02:29:21 PM »

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?

Impending Doom · « **Reply #3 on:** March 05, 2014, 03:04:50 PM »

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.

swingset · « **Reply #4 on:** March 05, 2014, 03:11:54 PM »

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.

xrayjay · « **Reply #5 on:** March 05, 2014, 06:08:46 PM »

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.

handmeDN · « **Reply #6 on:** March 05, 2014, 07:09:41 PM »

Quote from: xrayjay on March 05, 2014, 01:27:00 PM

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

BallReviews-Removed0385 · « **Reply #7 on:** March 05, 2014, 08:55:08 PM »

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.

mcaeal · « **Reply #8 on:** March 06, 2014, 12:00:52 AM »

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

CPA · « **Reply #9 on:** March 06, 2014, 11:30:37 AM »

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.

xrayjay · « **Reply #10 on:** March 06, 2014, 12:55:30 PM »

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?

xrayjay · « **Reply #11 on:** March 06, 2014, 01:01:14 PM »

Quote from: Impending Doom on March 05, 2014, 03:04:50 PM

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.

BallReviews-Removed0385 · « **Reply #12 on:** March 06, 2014, 01:17:56 PM »

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.

xrayjay · « **Reply #13 on:** March 06, 2014, 01:54:01 PM »

Quote from: notclay on March 06, 2014, 01:17:56 PM

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.

BallReviews-Removed0385 · « **Reply #14 on:** March 06, 2014, 02:02:12 PM »

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.

Author Topic: anybody bowling with arthritis? (Read 28738 times)

xrayjay

anybody bowling with arthritis?

Gizmo823

Re: anybody bowling with arthritis?

lefty50

Re: anybody bowling with arthritis?

Impending Doom

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swingset

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xrayjay

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handmeDN

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BallReviews-Removed0385

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mcaeal

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CPA

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xrayjay

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xrayjay

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BallReviews-Removed0385

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xrayjay

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BallReviews-Removed0385

Re: anybody bowling with arthritis?