Help... this sucks, what can i do?

[moejoe]

thanks, i guess it would be pretty sweet to have a lethal left jab... i guess its hard to try to see things as a blessing in disguise sometimes... if you can call it that- but true enough... i can sit around wallowing in my own self pity... drinking beers, eating wings, and getting a gut... or i can treat my body right and work on getting a mean left jab... ... as for the abs... i'm pretty slim as is... 5 foot 6ish and 132 lbs. and i get into shape fairly easy, but i'm sure it wouldn't hurt to cut out the 'bad' foods and limit the pints in conjunction with 2-3 days a week cardio and ab routine...and make way for the six pack... i hope.... any suggestions for thumb protection/prevention once i'm hitting stuff again anyone? all of your feedback, advice, etc has been much appreciated...

[moejoe]

thanks also for the suggestion about knuckle position... i shall try that out... i often wondered why some people say use pinky and ring knuckles, and others say use index and middle, others still middle and ring... what is the difference ? is it about alignment, strength of the knuckles, or what... my friend who fights muay thai says they use the index and middle but they also really rotate their arms when they punch-- they punch different than in boxing it seems... And as much as it sucks... i needed to hear to chill out and not rush back too soon... you're right: i'll just end up having to start all over again... that'd really really suck... but i do not look forward to going to the boxing gym all gimped up with only one hand... patience....patience....its not forever...

[Howlin Mad Missy]

1. rest.
2. Make sure you are wrapping your hands correctly.
3. Get some decent bag gloves.

when you make a fist the two knucles with a flat surface are the little and ring finger. So some people reckon it's better to hit with that area, also to hit with those knucles your arm/wrist straightens. Some say the first two fingers as it's a larger surface and they tend to move less. BUT if your hand is wrapped well the bones in your hands shouldn't be shifting about.

Y'know it could be a matter of your body getting used to the impact. When I first started I hand pains in my hands and wrists. Items 1,2&3 sorted it out. Also had that grinding thumb feeling for a while, that was gross.

[donnydarkoIRL]

Experiment with another method of wrapping your hands.
There are various methods on you tube that may suit your skeletal structure better.

Also...when i was younger and told to wrap my hands, I simply did that;
protecting my hands rather than my wrist.
I try to wrap my wrist well now, sometimes using a second bandage.

[moejoe]

Yeah... i first learned to wrap just regularly as i was told this is how amateurs wrap... but indeed there are a lot of youtube instructions on various methods of wrapping; i did my own research when i first started getting sore hands and have since been wrapping between my fingers style...the way how you end up with your palm exposed but knuckles well protected cuz all the wrapping is on the front of your hand- i also try to go well around my wrists- not sure how long my wraps are but maybe i could get ones a little longer for added protection, as i like to also do my thumbs too... does anyone ever use sports tape additionally on their wrists under the wrap for added support? Also quick question about jabs: (maybe i should start a new thread) .... should your arm fully extend to straight or slightly bent when extended... i have a sore elbow maybe from hyperextending? not sure i also drum and i think i had already irritated the tendon from that... but just wondered in terms of jab technique and form what is recommended- cuz you kind of want the jab to snap right? thanks

[Rocky Balboa]

Also quick question about jabs: (maybe i should start a new thread) .... should your arm fully extend to straight or slightly bent when extended... i have a sore elbow maybe from hyperextending? not sure i also drum and i think i had already irritated the tendon from that... but just wondered in terms of jab technique and form what is recommended- cuz you kind of want the jab to snap right? thanks

Firstly I would like to say I am an expert on elbows... just kidding but having had my entire last year wrecked over elbow problems I have learnt a lot. Its simple: don't throw too hard and if you're throwing fast (and not just working on technique) stop short about an inch. Worked for me

[moejoe]

thanks for all the tips guys... i'll definately try not to hyperextend my jab to prevent adding elbow to my injury list... and will keep up crosstraining and healthy eating most of the time (totally enjoyed 1lb of wings and too many pints of beer last night after a jog, running hills, and doing a killer ab workout i saw on youtube gotta break the rules sometime)... i'll totally start back slow after the 4 weeks and will look into buying my own gloves i suppose bag gloves and/or sparring gloves... when they say 'thumbs attached' does that offer more protection for the thumb, i would assume so... i think the ones i was chasing with when i reinjured my thumb were unattached; they were big puffy gloves and i recall being able to move my thumbs....

[Rocky Balboa]

but i'm sure it wouldn't hurt to cut out the 'bad' foods and limit the pints in conjunction

Eating good isn't just good on the abs (though if that were it I'd still do it ) but your performance level and health will increase greatly. Plus your discipline. Most people can't resist a bag of potato chips but learning to say no will not only help your body but your mind. Eating good is a great habit not just for definition

any suggestions for thumb protection/prevention once i'm hitting stuff again anyone? all of your feedback, advice, etc has been much appreciated...

You'll get used to it, just punch lightly at first. If you have good gloves that shouldn't even be a problem.