All Trainers and serious boxers here, I need you guys!

The saturday before last I awoke to a dull pain in my left shoulder, rather than being muscular it seems to be in the joint, perhaps a small tendon/nerve??
Anyway, it faded and wasn't there for the week, until Saturday it returned in it's dull prickling. I sparred that day and found i was able to hook but not jab in the later rounds.

I took some.....man I dunno, could it be diafine? My Mam gave em to me to take down inflammation and kill pain a little. Said if I tke em over the next three to four days it will help a bit.

However, I can't drop training this close to a fight and I can't get into bad habits this close to a fight, so I need to know how you guys ease injuries quickly or any remedies you have yourse;lf.

The pain isn't so dull now, it's a constant prickling which severly worsens when I raise my arm any more than perpindicular to my body.
It's certainly below the rotator cuff and definately around the joint of arm and shoulder.

Can you get to a Dr that understands sports injuries ASAP? That would be my advice sounds odd as you are quite young (i think) and shouldn't have too many repetative type injuries at this stage. You need the jab if you have a fight coming up. Sorry hitmandonny i've not had that myself but noticed that no-one else had replied and that's all i could think of. Good luck mate. Hope the fight goes well.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by bikersk

Can you get to a Dr that understands sports injuries ASAP? That would be my advice sounds odd as you are quite young (i think) and shouldn't have too many repetative type injuries at this stage. You need the jab if you have a fight coming up. Sorry hitmandonny i've not had that myself but noticed that no-one else had replied and that's all i could think of. Good luck mate. Hope the fight goes well.

---

Thanks Biker, Yeah I'm young thats for sure, but I dislocated the shoulder last year you see. I can't get to a doctor soon really and I've actuallt lost faith in many of them after my last injury. I'm going to try get some heat packs and see their effect on me.

Jesus bro,bad timing on this,because normally Id shut you down for a bit.
Ok,first off,hydration,this is critical,as much Gatorade as you can stomach to prevent sympathetic cramping
Second,Ibuprofen is your friend
3rd have someone slowly rotate the arm for you at least twice a day,and I do mean slow,just enough to loosen the muscles not fast enough to risk tearing whats hurt
It sounds like a nerve,but it might be a tear,be very careful with this my son

CC Monkey! Yeah thats kinda what I was doin.
Before training the last few days I've been spending 15 minutes or so loosening every hinge and ball joint as much as possible, getting all the synovial fluid warmed and primed before starting.
The great thing is during sparing the adrenaline stops me from noticing anything although I do get very tired from jabbing.

However a big plus for me is actually something you taught me. On Saturady for the first and second time ever I landed double left hooks as leads. The effect was great!

CC Biker also!

Thanks for the CC. As TM says get the anti-inflamatories into you and hydrate as much as you can. You didn't say in your original post that you had a previous dislocation. That could have caused all sorts. How soon is the fight? If it's like this weekend do what TM says and then stretch the shoulder as much as you can before the fight. Be as gentle as a lamb when you start. Remember stretch to strain not pain and make sure you go into the fight as warmed up as you can be so you wont (hopefully) feel that shoulder untill the next day.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by bikersk

Thanks for the CC. As TM says get the anti-inflamatories into you and hydrate as much as you can. You didn't say in your original post that you had a previous dislocation. That could have caused all sorts. How soon is the fight? If it's like this weekend do what TM says and then stretch the shoulder as much as you can before the fight. Be as gentle as a lamb when you start. Remember stretch to strain not pain and make sure you go into the fight as warmed up as you can be so you wont (hopefully) feel that shoulder untill the next day.

---

I've been training for pretty much the last ten weeks for fights on the 8, 9, and 10th of February. I've gotten myself into very good condition and it will kill me if an injury threatens me coming into these championships. Even if I'm at 80% these championships are mione.

Ok a cheat on the jab,drop your normal jab hand to make it your blocking arm,and start throwing your jab from a straight right position
I normally dont recomend this position as anything more then a time buyer when your jab is gassed,but it might just save your a$$ in this upcoming fight
Lord knows though if its not feeling comfortable dont use it,but if I had to cheat you through that would be on my list of things to do
Also,while it may seem a little distasteful,hold and hit whenever you can in this one

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by hitmandonny

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by bikersk

Thanks for the CC. As TM says get the anti-inflamatories into you and hydrate as much as you can. You didn't say in your original post that you had a previous dislocation. That could have caused all sorts. How soon is the fight? If it's like this weekend do what TM says and then stretch the shoulder as much as you can before the fight. Be as gentle as a lamb when you start. Remember stretch to strain not pain and make sure you go into the fight as warmed up as you can be so you wont (hopefully) feel that shoulder untill the next day.

---

I've been training for pretty much the last ten weeks for fights on the 8, 9, and 10th of February. I've gotten myself into very good condition and it will kill me if an injury threatens me coming into these championships. Even if I'm at 80% these championships are mione.

---

Ok so you have a couple of weeks. What championships are you fighting in? What level are we talking about here? It won't kill you if an injury threatens your chance at this time. All atheletes have to deal with injury. I was talking with a pro here recently who sustained an injury and he just said it happens in this sport and you have to deal with it. More importantly dont let an injury you get when you are young become an issue for you when you get older because you don't get the right treatment now and it becomes a long term problem.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by bikersk

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by hitmandonny

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by bikersk

Thanks for the CC. As TM says get the anti-inflamatories into you and hydrate as much as you can. You didn't say in your original post that you had a previous dislocation. That could have caused all sorts. How soon is the fight? If it's like this weekend do what TM says and then stretch the shoulder as much as you can before the fight. Be as gentle as a lamb when you start. Remember stretch to strain not pain and make sure you go into the fight as warmed up as you can be so you wont (hopefully) feel that shoulder untill the next day.

---

I've been training for pretty much the last ten weeks for fights on the 8, 9, and 10th of February. I've gotten myself into very good condition and it will kill me if an injury threatens me coming into these championships. Even if I'm at 80% these championships are mione.

---

Ok so you have a couple of weeks. What championships are you fighting in? What level are we talking about here? It won't kill you if an injury threatens your chance at this time. All atheletes have to deal with injury. I was talking with a pro here recently who sustained an injury and he just said it happens in this sport and you have to deal with it. More importantly dont let an injury you get when you are young become an issue for you when you get older because you don't get the right treatment now and it becomes a long term problem.

---

This is true bro,my body is a collection of injuries looking for a place to happen.I just blew out my left shoulder showing somebody something on the bag,so now I sleep on the couch.I didnt care for my body enough when I was younger,and now I pay for it when Im older

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by bikersk

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by hitmandonny

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by bikersk

Thanks for the CC. As TM says get the anti-inflamatories into you and hydrate as much as you can. You didn't say in your original post that you had a previous dislocation. That could have caused all sorts. How soon is the fight? If it's like this weekend do what TM says and then stretch the shoulder as much as you can before the fight. Be as gentle as a lamb when you start. Remember stretch to strain not pain and make sure you go into the fight as warmed up as you can be so you wont (hopefully) feel that shoulder untill the next day.

---

I've been training for pretty much the last ten weeks for fights on the 8, 9, and 10th of February. I've gotten myself into very good condition and it will kill me if an injury threatens me coming into these championships. Even if I'm at 80% these championships are mione.

---

Ok so you have a couple of weeks. What championships are you fighting in? What level are we talking about here? It won't kill you if an injury threatens your chance at this time. All atheletes have to deal with injury. I was talking with a pro here recently who sustained an injury and he just said it happens in this sport and you have to deal with it. More importantly dont let an injury you get when you are young become an issue for you when you get older because you don't get the right treatment now and it becomes a long term problem.

---

National Seniors, Light Middleweight.
Level is as good as it gets here really.
I'm good at treating others injuries and normally this would not be an issue, but I want to get this done this year as I had to drop out last year because of the shoulder.

Ok so at a high level then. If you want to stay there get this shoulder injury treated properly so you can stay there for the long term. This is the second time it has impacted on an important fight from what you say, you really need to get this sorted or it will keep coming back and as TM says it will just get worse as you get older. You are young and it may not be what you want to hear but if you take a few months out to fix this shoulder properly when you are young it will help you later if you want to make a career out of fighting or any atheletic pursuite. And if you are as good as you say you are that (your ability) wont change and you will only get better once this injury is fixed.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by bikersk

Ok so at a high level then. If you want to stay there get this shoulder injury treated properly so you can stay there for the long term. This is the second time it has impacted on an important fight from what you say, you really need to get this sorted or it will keep coming back and as TM says it will just get worse as you get older. You are young and it may not be what you want to hear but if you take a few months out to fix this shoulder properly when you are young it will help you later if you want to make a career out of fighting or any atheletic pursuite. And if you are as good as you say you are that (your ability) wont change and you will only get better once this injury is fixed.

---

While I agree with you,that he should shut it down
He's young,so he probably wont,we all felt invincible once upon a time
Baby it pre-fight,and change your style to hide it
Your not going to listen to either of us about shutting it down,so thats the best advice we can give

Well Biker you never heard me say I was that good, what you would have heard me say is I want it more than anyone and I've prepared myself better than the opposition have. It's mine because I've done more than anyone else and there's nobody able to match ,my pace. I spent the last 6 months being absolutley torn aaprt by pros to get good enough and I reckon I have now. As I said to Monkey earlier it's the first time I've been good enough to double left hook an opponent and really make him shudder. I'm ready I just need this to hold for me.

All the best Donny, what ever you decide to do. You've still got a fortnight, so you'll be able to gauge if it's gradually getting worse or getting better during that time, so listen to what your shoulder is telling you after each session.

Donny, By your description it sounds like your deltoids have trapped the nerves that work the arms and shoulders a common problem. there are streches with a fit ball that should solve the problem.

Where do you live Donny which city?

Hi Donny,
Ah, I've been in your position a few times and still competed despite impairments. Like you, I was very prepared and confident prior to sustaining injuries (through overzealous training). Granted, while continuing training and subsequently competing did satisfy the "what if," "you never know," "I would've won" question marks had I not done so, I paid a pretty heavy price afterwards (despite winning in one instance through a lucky quick, one-punch KO and in the other (a wrestling match), losing horribly when, if fully functioning, I could/should have won) which, in retrospect, I'm not sure was worth it. Like Trainer Monkey, I too was overzealous in my younger days, improperly training like a madman, disregarding injuries, and competing when I shouldn't have to my long-term detriment. I'm paying the price for my indiscretions now...

Anyway, what is the extent of your injury at this time? If your shoulder is so bad that it greatly pains you to raise your affected arm, to throw a punch, you're in a bad place and should seriously consider pulling out of the competition. Now, if the pain is relatively "minor" and something you can tolerate, consciously willing to sacrifice some potential long-term consequences in the process, well, you can train around your injured arm, change up your fight plan a bit, and get a cortisone shot before your fights as a temporary fix. I don't recommend you soldiering on, but that's coming from someone who's looking in hindsight. When I was in your shoes, I didn't heed the warnings either; I competed anyway.

Okay, in addition to what I said above, if you are going to compete, I would heed the recommendations you received to drink lots of fluids and take anti-inflammatories such as Advil/Motrin or Alleve. I'm not a proponent of cortisone shots (eschewing them myself when offered), but it's an option to consider. I've had friends say it helped them train and compete pain-free FOR AWHILE. They all ended up paying a price later...

As the saying goes, "pay now or pay later;" when you disregard your body's warning signs that something is wrong, one way or another, you will pay a price. The questions you really need to ask yourself are "How much do I want to pay?" and "Do I want to pay now or pay later?" Is this competition really worth it?

Whatever you decide to do (i.e. pull out of competition, seek medical treatment, rest/rehab, and come back when fully-healed OR soldier on and gut it out with the injury you have), do it with gusto; with full-commitment because anything less will yield unsatisfactory results in you and for you either way.

Take care and good luck with which every way you decide to go.

Best Regards,
Lito

I don't think I can be of much help but I hope it gets better hitmandonny! I've always tried to see my chiro when my back is POing me because I know she knows my back and she helps.

It's not guaranteed to help when you're seeing someone for the first time but I think it pays to seek some sort of professional advice early in case it's a recurring problem. The sooner you find good help the less trouble it will give you long term.

Don't be afraid to taper either - you'll hold your fitness better than you think and can probably afford to go 2 weeks without any hard training before a bout and still do well since you've been hammering it so hard up to this point. That's what i did and fitness was not an issue.

Sure do some light moving around when it feels ok, maybe up the visualization and mental preparation and thinking about your fight plan. Studies have shown little difference between the ability of athletes to learn when they spend the same amount of time visualizing a technique compared to actually practicing it so that might help more than you think.

If people are talking anti-inflammatories you might as well goo with some good old fashioned ice as well!

My main point though DON'T BE AFRAID TO TAPER

You won't detrain your fitness as quickly as you seem to think.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Bomp

All the best Donny, what ever you decide to do. You've still got a fortnight, so you'll be able to gauge if it's gradually getting worse or getting better during that time, so listen to what your shoulder is telling you after each session.

---

Thank you my man, sound advice!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Scrap

Donny, By your description it sounds like your deltoids have trapped the nerves that work the arms and shoulders a common problem. there are streches with a fit ball that should solve the problem.

---

Cool Scrap, I think you may be right. I could neither spar nor sleep last night. The medicine I'm taking is diafine and rubbing on a gel called Fastum gel. The gel actually kills the pain, hopefully the diafine will take down inflammation. Stretching I haven't tried, but as Monkey said, loosening it with rotation works gradually.
Any links Scrap?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Andre

Where do you live Donny which city?

---

Galway Andre. Ha Ha I fyou show up and help I'll drop all organised religion and worship Andre-ology from now on!!!

Lito:
Funny thing is, when I train it warms up and it can be fine, when I lay off it stays cold and it's agony. If it was my right I wouldn't hesitate competing but it's my left. I set up everything off my jab and my hook is my pride and joy.
But the problem is it hurts to even slip. I missed out on the same finals last year because of a similar injury.

Sharla:
I knew you'd know all about injuries :)
Thanks for the advice and support.


To everybody, this has been a real crisis for me, I really appreciate all your help, this is why Saddo's is great.
I can honestly say I f I miss out on this competition I will be absolutley gutted. I've put everything into this fight, pretty much 7 days a week for the last 3 months. As I said earlier if it was my right I'd compete in a second, but it's my left and I sorel;y need that. Much of my defence is blocking with my left elbow and forearm too so....
Well...I'm going to a doctors tonight. I'll consider acupuncture too, if any of you reccommend it?
I'll do anything to compete. The scary thing is, I've been warning Hulk of Trenabol for a while, but If someone came to me and said If you take this now you can compete as your normal self, but you'll never turn pro....I think I'd still take it.

Donny there arent any as I know give us 24 Ill pm you promise with a few.

Have you got msm and a camera

Hey Scrap, thanks for your efforts...
I don't have MSN no.

I cant believe Im recomending this,but it sounds like your going to go out there regardless,so Id feel remiss if I didnt do some measure of saving you from yourself
Tiger Balm the hell out of it,I mean really have someone rub you down with it,it'll keep the shoulder warm wether you want it warm or not.
If you can find Dragon Balm,even better
In theory its only a dermal warmth,but it does seem to penetrate,kept my knees functional way longer then I deserved

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Trainer Monkey

I cant believe Im recomending this,but it sounds like your going to go out there regardless,so Id feel remiss if I didnt do some measure of saving you from yourself
Tiger Balm the hell out of it,I mean really have someone rub you down with it,it'll keep the shoulder warm wether you want it warm or not.
If you can find Dragon Balm,even better
In theory its only a dermal warmth,but it does seem to penetrate,kept my knees functional way longer then I deserved

---

Well, I'm going to compete, but I'll look after it as soon as I'm done.
I had planned on going away for a couple of months after the fight to train in San Diego and I cancelled. Heart breaking stuff.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by hitmandonny

I missed out on the same finals last year because of a similar injury.

---

Did you push yourself all out last year leading up to the comp then too? We don't technically get fit from training Donny - we get fit from RECOVERY from training so if you've been pushing too hard with too little rest for a while - training a little fatigued this might be your body's way of telling you to back the f**k off before you kill it. Take at least 2 or 3 days off, treat it however you feel is best to and then see how it goes perhaps?

I know some things feel bad when they got cold but maybe if you spend the same amount of training time doing light exercise that still has you moving without agitating it you'll be ok. For my knee or back issues it was swimming - maybe you have your own equivalent - some light exercise that won't irritate you can do for a few days?

Yeah I was pushing last year too, but last year it was due to the dislocation caused by a trainer pretty much.

This year, well it just gave despite the efforts I had made to keepe everything ok. So what I'll do now is just chill till tomorrow evening. At 5.30 I'm going to start warming it up, I'll try get some of the balm TM suggested and I'll rotate it every posible way, I'll stretch it and loosen it. and then I'll spar. I know on Thursday I'll be sparring a south paw so in actuallity I should be using my left to block less than I normally do.

We'll see how the spar goes, how it feels on impact and what I'm able to do. Diet should keep me at proper weight for the next two weeks so ALL i'LL DO IS SPAR.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by hitmandonny

Yeah I was pushing last year too, but last year it was due to the dislocation caused by a trainer pretty much.

This year, well it just gave despite the efforts I had made to keepe everything ok. So what I'll do now is just chill till tomorrow evening. At 5.30 I'm going to start warming it up, I'll try get some of the balm TM suggested and I'll rotate it every posible way, I'll stretch it and loosen it. and then I'll spar. I know on Thursday I'll be sparring a south paw so in actuallity I should be using my left to block less than I normally do.

We'll see how the spar goes, how it feels on impact and what I'm able to do. Diet should keep me at proper weight for the next two weeks so ALL i'LL DO IS SPAR.

---

Unfortunatly once it jacks out,barring the knife,its going to do it again,just cant be helped.Good luck bro

Thanks man, got my hands on some Tiger balm and I'm getting some acupuncture and physio.

I can lift it now, but I feel thats because I'm in a nice warm building at the moment, but once I loosen it, I reckon It will be fine.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by hitmandonny

Thanks man, got my hands on some Tiger balm and I'm getting some acupuncture and physio.

I can lift it now, but I feel thats because I'm in a nice warm building at the moment, but once I loosen it, I reckon It will be fine.

---

Remember,when it tires out(dont try this at home,Im only doing this because he's a friend and intends to compete no matter what I say)reverse your guard,drop the hand in to a strictly defensive position,up and down,but you should still be able to snap a jab with it.
It serves numerous purposes,it rests the arm,it tightens your defense while you get some rest,and it tends to confuse your opponent

Cool Thanks TM.
I tried some Toger balm, it's hot, but the lady said Dragon balm is even hotter and she'll try get her hands on iot for me!

Oh heck yes,Dragon Balm makes mineral ice look like vanilla ice cream,but the stuff does work,at least for awhile

All I need is four rounds, thats all the time i need! Then I'm going into recovery,

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by hitmandonny

All I need is four rounds, thats all the time i need! Then I'm going into recovery,

---

If you dont totally annihilate your shoulder in the mean time,its legal,and should keep you limber enough to get by.Make sure your cornerman knows your situation,and start practicing that modyfied stance,you very well could need it to buy yourself some time

Well hopefully that doesn't happen, but If it does I know that it will be my own fault and I did it attempting to be someone.

And on the modified stance point, I've already attempted a few variations, like you said to keep them confused.

i feel you man i too have fought threw pain. only for me its shin splits. and bad ones too. but yo my advice to you is block it out youre mind and fight threw it. were fighters and we have to fight threw adversiry. am sure its not the first time you fight threw pain and it sure azz hell wont be the last. suck it up dude you can do it. best of luck by da way.

Thanks Boxman, Thank you sincerely for the encouragement

Sparred last night.

Loosened up, warmed up, rubbed on some volorol gel.
Two partners, One southpaw, one orthodox, one taller, one equal and both heavier.

I boxed just fine, outpointed and hurt both, although my combinations are now disrupted,
The shoulder worked fine and didn't hurt at all when under fire.

It did hurt this morning when I woke though (and ever since)