Proper Technique

[BOIdaho]

I was wondering if anyone else is suffering from a sore elbow. I started noticing this in the middle of the summer; my elbow starts to hurt a little after swinging my detector. I started noticing it with my X-Terra 70 which is very light and now my E-Trac. I have tried using the arm support and gripping the handle in different spots. Today I was grabbing the handle close to the control box and not trying to squeeze it too hard. I also tried holding my elbow closer to my chest, thought maybe I was extending my arm too far forward but my elbow is still sore but it did feel better. Winter is fast approaching so I may get a little rest, not that I want to. I have also tried switching arms but that doesn't last very long. Any advise would be appreciated.

I didn't find anything out of the ordinary today just clad, but it was nice to get out, there is snow in tonight's forecast.

 

[John - Maryland]

It happened to me also. Tendinitis or "Tennis Elbow". You can try to correct this by adjusting the arm cuff for better balance. It worked great for me and others I know.

 

[MT]

Take a break every few minutes...Stretch your arm. It'll be ok, and good hunting.
HH,
MT

 

[medicman507]

You could try wearing a brace on your elbow for extra support. In the past if I had any soreness in my elbow I would pretreat myself with Advil (ibuprofen) before going out. That seemed to work.

 

[Johnlightning]

I noticed my elbow hurt also when using the factory arm cuff I guess because of the wieght of the Etrac and you will notice when you go side to side there is some give to the plastic arm cuff alowing
the machine push on the forearm back and forth because of the play and giving of the plastic taxing the elbow. I purchases one of Jeff Harke's metal cuffs which are aluminum and can be formed to fit your arm tightly doing away with the slop making your arm and machine one in motion. Also make sure the cuff is in the meat part of your forearm. I have not had any issues with my elbow since switching cuff's. My 2 cents. Happy digging, JOHN

 

[Gary in Daytona]

No, but on long swinging days, I can hardly close my fingers. I think the larger size of the grip really seems to mess with my right hand for some reason. Goes away in a day or so, but it's annoying.

 

[Sonny(IN)]

n/t

 

[Jason in Enid]

No, my issue has been my shoulders. After a while it feels like I've been in the gym for hours. I have to switch swinging arms from time to time to let the tired one rest.

 

[BOIdaho]

Thanks for all of the great input. I went out today for a couple of hours, I think one problem I was having was that I was swinging the coil too fast. I slowed it down and my elbow is not as sore. I also found my first Mercury dime 1944. Found it the first five minutes out.

 

[etracmick]

I had that happen on the front of my forearm/elbow so I shortened up the shaft on the MD and let my arm hang instead of constantly holding my arm at a slight angle.