Elbow Pain.

[NightFighter]

I have noticed that lately I develop right elbow pain when I shoot approx 150-200 rounds through my XD .45 Compact. I want to know if anyone has ever had this problem and if so how do I correct the problem.

[Gramps]

Problem: Elbow PAIN when SHOOTING.

Solution: PM me for my address so you can send me ALL your FIREARMS so you will NEVER have ANY PAIN again.

Sorry, never heard of any thing like this. Is it any thing like Tennis Elbow?

[mark5pt56]

Other than unknown medical issues, are you locking your elbows to the point of stressing them? There should be a slight(slight) bend in them.

[KintlaLake]

Originally Posted by NightFighter

I have noticed that lately I develop right elbow pain when I shoot approx 150-200 rounds through my XD .45 Compact. I want to know if anyone has ever had this problem and if so how do I correct the problem.

My long-limbed wife has similar issues with her right elbow, NightFighter. The first symptom often is a FTE, if you know what I mean. Glock 26.

She wears a soft brace and takes Aleve, but it only helps so much.

[NightFighter]

Originally Posted by mark5pt56

Other than unknown medical issues, are you locking your elbows to the point of stressing them? There should be a slight(slight) bend in them.

If I mantain a slight bend in my right elbow wont I lose my ability to control the recoil of my handgun? I am trying to get my handgun to recoil straight up and down.

[Robb Jensen]

It's likely 'tennis elbow', I developed in last fall after a major 3gun match in Harvard, MA. The remedy for me is to stretch my wrists well before shooting and many times during the day. Also shooting a lighter gun has made a HUGE difference. That way I don't have to muscle the gun as much. I only have it in my left elbow (I'm right handed). I also occasionally use one of the gyro hand excercisers you can get at REI. This is why I stopped shooting my heavy Limited gun as much and shoot more Production w/Glocks or M&Ps. I also and using a different form/stance and it's helped me a lot. I use a version that D.R. Middlebrooks teaches called 'reverse Weaver' with a 'roll over wrist lock' which takes some of the stress off the support hand elbow and helps you control the gun with less effort.

[NightFighter]

Originally Posted by gotm4

It's likely 'tennis elbow', I developed in last fall after a major 3gun match in Harvard, MA. The remedy for me is to stretch my wrists well before shooting and many times during the day. Also shooting a lighter gun has made a HUGE difference. That way I don't have to muscle the gun as much. I only have it in my left elbow (I'm right handed). I also occasionally use one of the gyro hand excercisers you can get at REI. This is why I stopped shooting my heavy Limited gun as much and shoot more Production w/Glocks or M&Ps. I also and using a different form/stance and it's helped me a lot. I use a version that D.R. Middlebrooks teaches called 'reverse Weaver' with a 'roll over wrist lock' which takes some of the stress off the support hand elbow and helps you control the gun with less effort.

What caliber gun did you start with and what caliber did you change to that helped your elbow? I have gotten a Gripmaster and started using that in an effort to strengthen my arm. Are M&Ps lighter than XDs? Where can I learn this different technique that D.R. Middlebrook teachs without having to so to his school. I am leaving NOVA for a while and would like to get an idea of his shooting technique before I leave.

[Robb Jensen]

Originally Posted by NightFighter

What caliber gun did you start with and what caliber did you change to that helped your elbow? I have gotten a Gripmaster and started using that in an effort to strengthen my arm. Are M&Ps lighter than XDs? Where can I learn this different technique that D.R. Middlebrook teachs without having to so to his school. I am leaving NOVA for a while and would like to get an idea of his shooting technique before I leave.

My STI is a .40 and my Glock and M&P Production guns are 9mm (My STI is twice as heavier or heavier than the Glock or M&P). The Glocks, M&Ps and XDs (4") are all very close in weight. The XDs will have the most muzzle flip using the same round (higher bore axis and heavier slide). I bought D.R.s book call Fist Fire from his website, it's $20 something and worth it. If you stop by the shop I'll show you how my stance is now. It takes some getting used to as it doesn't feel natural at first. I once in a while find myself going back to modified Isosceles, so I've been doing a lot of 'dry practice' slowly drawing and doing the 'reverse Weaver' stance to ingrain it into habit.

[NightFighter]

Originally Posted by gotm4

My STI is a .40 and my Glock and M&P Production guns are 9mm (My STI is twice as heavier or heavier than the Glock or M&P). The Glocks, M&Ps and XDs (4") are all very close in weight. The XDs will have the most muzzle flip using the same round (higher bore axis and heavier slide). I bought D.R.s book call Fist Fire from his website, it's $20 something and worth it. If you stop by the shop I'll show you how my stance is now. It takes some getting used to as it doesn't feel natural at first. I once in a while find myself going back to modified Isosceles, so I've been doing a lot of 'dry practice' slowly drawing and doing the 'reverse Weaver' stance to ingrain it into habit.

What days and times do you work? Does the book have pictures showing the stance, draw and firing techniques? Has this new technique help you in your competition shooting? Is this new technique really worth me spending my time to learn?

[Robb Jensen]

Originally Posted by NightFighter

What days and times do you work? Does the book have pictures showing the stance, draw and firing techniques? Has this new technique help you in your competition shooting? Is this new technique really worth me spending my time to learn?

Next week I'm there Mon, Wed, Thurs & Fri. Yes the book shows pics of the stances, grip etc. I immediately noticed better times and accuracy and control using the new techniques. If you want to be a better shooter it's certainly worth it, especially if you want to shoot with little or no pain.

[mark5pt56]

Originally Posted by NightFighter

If I mantain a slight bend in my right elbow wont I lose my ability to control the recoil of my handgun? I am trying to get my handgun to recoil straight up and down.

You won't loose anything, the slight bend kind of gives the weapon an avenue back, a good wrist lock will assist with managing the flip. That straight up and down is usually over emphasized by some. Yes, it moves some, but not that much. And remember the Chinese quote about the Oak and the Willow.

Why the eye roll?

[Linea_de_Fuego]

Originally Posted by gotm4

Next week I'm there Mon, Wed, Thurs & Fri. Yes the book shows pics of the stances, grip etc. I immediately noticed better times and accuracy and control using the new techniques. If you want to be a better shooter it's certainly worth it, especially if you want to shoot with little or no pain.

I Googled this to try and find images of the grip but couldn't clearly see one.

Is the weak hand wrapped around the strong hand just a little more so that the finger tips are on top of the knuckles?

[Robb Jensen]

Originally Posted by Linea_de_Fuego

I Googled this to try and find images of the grip but couldn't clearly see one.

Is the weak hand wrapped around the strong hand just a little more so that the finger tips are on top of the knuckles?

Here's a pic of an LEO using this technique shooting a Glock 21.

[Joe R.]

GotM4 already hit the nail on the head. It sounds like tendinitis or "tennis elbow"

One way to help alleviate the pain is to strengthen the area around the elbow. This can be done by doing straight arm wrist curls in both a pronated (palms down) and a supinated (palms up) position. The weight should be light, in the area of 5 pounds with higher reps, 15-20. This will help strengthen the area around the wrist and elbow (believe it or not) and help reduce the pain from shooting.

As gotM4 also pointed out you should have someone with real experience check out your shooting stance. Your elbows should NOT be locked. A slight bend in the elbows will allow the gun to track right back into position and less stress on the body.

[Linea_de_Fuego]

Originally Posted by gotm4

Here's a pic of an LEO using this technique shooting a Glock 21.

I think I got it; the strong hand thumb rides behind the weak hand thumb joint rather than in front of it.

[NightFighter]

Originally Posted by mark5pt56

You won't loose anything, the slight bend kind of gives the weapon an avenue back, a good wrist lock will assist with managing the flip. That straight up and down is usually over emphasized by some. Yes, it moves some, but not that much. And remember the Chinese quote about the Oak and the Willow.

Why the eye roll?

No reason. I am just trying to learn a way of shooting that will let me enjoy the activity without any pain.

[NightFighter]

Originally Posted by Joe R.

GotM4 already hit the nail on the head. It sounds like tendinitis or "tennis elbow"

One way to help alleviate the pain is to strengthen the area around the elbow. This can be done by doing straight arm wrist curls in both a pronated (palms down) and a supinated (palms up) position. The weight should be light, in the area of 5 pounds with higher reps, 15-20. This will help strengthen the area around the wrist and elbow (believe it or not) and help reduce the pain from shooting.

As gotM4 also pointed out you should have someone with real experience check out your shooting stance. Your elbows should NOT be locked. A slight bend in the elbows will allow the gun to track right back into position and less stress on the body.

Thanks for the exercise suggestions. I was wondering if there was any specific exercises that would increase the strenght in my elbow. When I tried the suggested exercises I felt the area where I have the pain flex and move. it hurt a little but after a while the pain went away. Thanks a ton. I dont have anyone at this time who is an experienced shooter who can diagnosis my shooting stance and/or grip. So that is why I have to bother the people on the forum for assistance. I have started bringing my elbows in closer to my sides and allowing a slight bend into my elbows. I will let everyone know if all this helps over the next couple of weeks.

I have SEVERE tendinitus of the elbow in my shooting hand and am having surgery/therapy on it next month. NOT cool.

[Robb Jensen]

Originally Posted by NightFighter

Thanks for the exercise suggestions. I was wondering if there was any specific exercises that would increase the strenght in my elbow. When I tried the suggested exercises I felt the area where I have the pain flex and move. it hurt a little but after a while the pain went away. Thanks a ton. I dont have anyone at this time who is an experienced shooter who can diagnosis my shooting stance and/or grip. So that is why I have to bother the people on the forum for assistance. I have started bringing my elbows in closer to my sides and allowing a slight bend into my elbows. I will let everyone know if all this helps over the next couple of weeks.

Look at Daves (Sevigny) stance (upper body only as he's moving).



The elbows should always be bent slightly (mark5pt56 already said this too). This gives sort of a spring for recoil, you'll have to try the method to see if it works. You maybe gripping the pistol too hard as well. The firing hand should have about as much grip pressure as you would on a baseball bat. Most of the grip pressure should come from your support hand.

Also poke around on the Brian Enos forums, here's the Tips for Improvement forum within that forum.
http://www.brianenos.com/forums/index.php?showforum=17

And Handgun Techniques.
http://www.brianenos.com/forums/inde...ilter=all&st=0

I also recommend getting some professional instruction since you earlier talked about getting into competitive shooting. Local to NoVA is the NRA Range (intermediate pistol) or http://www.nvtactical.com/ (from Tommy Thacker). I shoot with Tommy in USPSA a little, he's a good shooter and instructor.

[mark5pt56]

Originally Posted by NightFighter

No reason. I am just trying to learn a way of shooting that will let me enjoy the activity without any pain.

Hey, with my limited excercise knowledge, I've been taught that for connective tissue, you need 30-50 reps to truly benefit them. Weight should be appropriate to work them vs. the muscle group around it.

I don't know what kind of program you do, but be careful not to overwork to where you are either injuring or on the verge of it. Soreness from workouts are actually injuries sustained to the tissue. Adequate rest and recovery is important. When I powerlifted, I could tell by week 3-4 in a program(8-9 week ones worked best for me) if I was overworking.

To avoid potential long term, I would see a good doctor to insure you aren't making it permanent. I was told by a Chiropractor that there are two types of injuries, the ones you know of right away and the ones you get when you're 60-from the stuff you did years ago.

Hope that helps

Mark