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Author Topic: Problem with thumb swelling  (Read 2801 times)

BeerLeague

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Problem with thumb swelling
« on: January 05, 2023, 08:05:07 AM »
I like a tight thumbhole.  I currently use an ovals in VISE IT inserts.  My thumb pitch is 3/16 forward.  My problem is my thumb goes up and down in size and sometimes I can barely fit it in the ball .... the only remedy seems to be a bigger thumb that rubs less and add/remove tape ... which I HATE as the feel sucks and messing with tape is a pain.

Any ideas?  Could my fit be causing the swelling?

 

TWOHAND834

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Re: Problem with thumb swelling
« Reply #1 on: January 05, 2023, 09:00:03 AM »
I like a tight thumbhole.  I currently use an ovals in VISE IT inserts.  My thumb pitch is 3/16 forward.  My problem is my thumb goes up and down in size and sometimes I can barely fit it in the ball .... the only remedy seems to be a bigger thumb that rubs less and add/remove tape ... which I HATE as the feel sucks and messing with tape is a pain.

Any ideas?  Could my fit be causing the swelling?

The fit could be if you are squeezing the ball.  My first thought is what do you drink while you are bowling?  If you are dehydrated; that can lead to swelling as well.  I used to have a soda while bowling until I was having swelling issues but then switched to Gatorade or lemonade and the issue went away.  I wasnt always a two hander but even as I am now, my fingers can swell making the finger holes pretty tight.  But lemonade is my go to while I am bowling now and swelling is not an issue anymore and that is even with me living in Florida.
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ignitebowling

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Re: Problem with thumb swelling
« Reply #2 on: January 05, 2023, 09:17:12 AM »
Your thumb will shrink and swell with weather, time of day, and with food or drink consumption and likely many other reasons.

First thing in the morning when you wake up try fitting your thumb in the ball and see if it will or not and how it compares in the same ball later that afternoon say after getting home from work.

If the hole is a little big and tape is used to get the fit snug where you need it you can then adjust going forward much easier. Walter Ray Williams posted a great video I can't find about how he uses thumb tape to create a snug fit that can be tweaked as your thumb shrinks and swells.
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SVstar34

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Re: Problem with thumb swelling
« Reply #3 on: January 05, 2023, 10:49:16 AM »
Have your fit checked and rechecked. If it all seems fine, you may just be someone that deals with a lot of fluctuation.

You're using Vise ITs already, so if your fit is fine, you'll just need multiple ITs in different sizes

MI 2 AZ

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Re: Problem with thumb swelling
« Reply #4 on: January 05, 2023, 11:08:06 AM »


 Walter Ray Williams posted a great video I can't find about how he uses thumb tape to create a snug fit that can be tweaked as your thumb shrinks and swells.

Was it this one? 

https://www.flobowling.com/video/6437887-walter-ray-the-importance-of-a-tight-thumbhole

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MI 2 AZ

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Re: Problem with thumb swelling
« Reply #5 on: January 05, 2023, 11:10:44 AM »
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ignitebowling

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Re: Problem with thumb swelling
« Reply #6 on: January 05, 2023, 02:07:59 PM »


 Walter Ray Williams posted a great video I can't find about how he uses thumb tape to create a snug fit that can be tweaked as your thumb shrinks and swells.

Was it this one? 

https://www.flobowling.com/video/6437887-walter-ray-the-importance-of-a-tight-thumbhole


Yes!!!!!! Thank you. Was bugging me not being able to find the video lol
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J_w73

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Re: Problem with thumb swelling
« Reply #7 on: January 07, 2023, 01:35:32 AM »
Try taking a few ibuprofen about 30 to 45 minutes before you bowl.  I find that when I do my fit stays more consistent throughout the night of bowling.
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MJS73

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Re: Problem with thumb swelling
« Reply #8 on: January 10, 2023, 07:40:26 AM »
Yes on the ant-inflammatory. My thumb and fingers swell in the morning so if I'm bowling a morning tournament, I take a couple of Advils  before I leave the house.

bergman

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Re: Problem with thumb swelling
« Reply #9 on: January 10, 2023, 02:19:06 PM »
I  heard about using ibuprofen prior to bowling to prevent finger swelling.
I would add a word of caution for seniors on the use of ibuprofen for this purpose.

My physician warns his older patients over age 63 on the use of ibuprofen due to the increased risk of stomach hemorrhaging in patients in that age group. I'm included in that group. In fact this warning is included on all ibuprofen labels. As a result, I only rarely resort to using ibuprofen unless I'm in pain that Tylenol can't quite handle. (just one more disadvantage of growing old).
My doctor recommends Tylenol for most of his senior patients.

Instead, I control thumb swelling by having my IT thumb slugs made slightly larger. If the thumb is too loose, I use thumb tape. I try to maintain soft grip pressure, and although I too, have several different IT thumb sizes, nothing "fine-tunes" my grip better than good old fashioned thumb tape.

Kronos2361

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Re: Problem with thumb swelling
« Reply #10 on: January 11, 2023, 09:05:28 AM »
Sometimes I have the same problem. Usually after a yummy plate of really greasy onion rings. OMG, I love those things however if I check my ankles and detect some swelling there you can bet on the thumb giving problems. One solution is don't eat before bowling or use a bag of SLIDE ... tap my thumb on the slide and then insert it in the ball. Run it in and out a couple of times and you are in business. Hope this helps.