win a ball from Bowling.com
« previous next »
Pages: [1]

Author Topic: Thumb swelling  (Read 7576 times)

the sleeze

  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • Posts: 67
Thumb swelling
« on: October 19, 2008, 11:43:22 AM »
I am one of those unfortunate bowlers whose thumb expands a bit after a half a game or so. I have been experimenting with the Magic Carpet(too early to tell). What do you use to combat swelling? Have you used Magic Carpet? Any help greatly appreciated.
Logged

 

ChrispyBrownies

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1936
Re: Thumb swelling
« Reply #1 on: October 19, 2008, 10:00:12 PM »
I know this sounds crazy, but when my thumb swells and its a tight fit into the thumbhole, I usually get my thumb a little wet so it slides out easier, and add some rosin if it is too slippery.
It works very well for me, I know it does suck to have this problem...

Chrispy
--------------------
Trinity High School "A" Bowling Team
Louisville, KY
State champs- 2002, 2003, and 2008

Morehead State University Bowling
www.Stormbowling.com


Logged

cheech

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1360
Re: Thumb swelling
« Reply #2 on: October 20, 2008, 09:09:06 AM »
what i do is get the thumb drilled a half size or size too big and just put tape in and take it out when needed. or in tournament when my thumb swells during breaks i put it in a mini vise grip/clamp thing. people look at me like im retarded but it works for me.
--------------------
HG:300x2(SR300 both)289(sawblade)280(SR300)
HS:792(SR300)778(SR300)778(SR300/Dr.Jekyll)
bowling for 14years
18 years old
2004 NYSPHSAA team champions
2007 NYSPHSAA individual high game(300) and series(1411-6 games)
current arsenal:
rival, arch rival, dead flush,scout,
blue vibe
SR300, RXS300 maxim
on the way maybe.....the sauce, momentum swing,resurgence, or demension.
p.s. go leftys
Logged

Moon57

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 745
Re: Thumb swelling
« Reply #3 on: October 20, 2008, 12:25:01 PM »
Squeezing your bowling thumb with the other hand will shrink it up. Not a cure all but it works right then.
--------------------
Moon
--------------------
So many questions, so little time but I'm having fun.
Logged

Dan Belcher

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 3954
Re: Thumb swelling
« Reply #4 on: October 20, 2008, 01:53:15 PM »
1) I shortened my span slightly and reduced the amount of reverse pitch in the thumb while adding a little reverse pitch to my fingers. This seems to take some of the stress off my hand in general and makes my release cleaner and more effortless.  These factors combine to reduce swelling quite a bit for me.
2) Vise IT interchangeble thumbs.  I have a couple different sized inserts.  Therefore when my thumb is small, I can use the tighter thumb slug, and when it's swollen I can use a looser thumb slug.
Logged

slimjuggalo2002

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 233
Re: Thumb swelling
« Reply #5 on: October 20, 2008, 02:00:36 PM »
The trick that has always worked for me is to place a napkin (unfold to single ply) over my thumb hole and jam my thumb into the thumb hole and leave it in there for a minute.  

The tight pressure will push all of the extra fluids out of the thumb.  Repeat as necessary.
--------------------
Go Buckeyes!!!
Logged

dicnic

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 953
Re: Thumb swelling
« Reply #6 on: October 20, 2008, 02:05:55 PM »
I use magic carpets in all my balls, which eliminates most of the problems. If I am aware of thumb swelling I carry (in my bag) a thumb insert a size or two smaller than normal. I jam my thumb in this smaller thumb insert and hold my hand up in the air. This supposedly causes the blood to drain down to a lower place in the body.

I do not know if this is scientifically sound, but it works for me!

Of course, I look a little foolish walking around the bowling center with my hand/arm held up over my head.
--------------------
Never take a sleeping pill and a laxative on the same night.
Logged
<font color=red><h4>Never take a sleeping pill and a laxative on the same night. </h4></font id=red>

Big Kahuna

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 359
Re: Thumb swelling
« Reply #7 on: October 20, 2008, 03:06:15 PM »
the swelling is caused by friction when your thumb comes out of your sleeve. the swelling may also be caused by conditions in the alley(too hot).  so having said this,,,

1. do you have a proper sleeve or slug in your ball?  my hand is usually moist so i cant' use a certain thumb sleeve or slug. so have that checked.

2. when i bowl alot of games, my thumb does swell up abit.  when i know that i am going to bowl alot of games, i put a little of lip balm before i play. this will create little friction when your thumb comes out of your ball. this will keep your thumb from swelling.

3. i use a vise "hada" tape #2 (red) and i drape it over my bowling thumb where colus' (don't know how it's spelled) usually form.  i can go over 9 games before my thumb swells abit.

4. i have a friend who has a custom thumb sleeve and he keeps his thumb in it between shots when bowling.

hope one of these helps..
--------------------
Never BLAME the ball

http://trybowling300.bowlspace.com
PAYPAL:http://jerrickam1@sympatico.ca
Logged

Scolai

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 13129
  • Seeker of Knowledge
Re: Thumb swelling
« Reply #8 on: October 20, 2008, 06:32:51 PM »
Get your thumb hole opened a bit and use tape.  It's cheap and easy to insert/extract.  All of these strange "cures" for swelling don't hold up to the ability to adjust the hole size with a piece of tape.

I have used the lip balm cure before.  Word to the wise, however: put it on the back of your thumb, not the pad (fingerprint).  Putting balm there will make the ball feel less secure in your grip and really foul up your head by making you think you're going to drop the ball with every shot.

That ultra-slide you're not allowed to use on your feet during league play makes getting out of the thumb hole really, really smooth.

I know a guy who actually put vaseline jelly in his thumb hole.  About the dumbest thing I ever saw...
--------------------
Scolaí

)O(


"Get all the fools on your side, and you can be elected to anything." ~Frank Dane

Weighting On 40
Logged
Scolai

I will never become another piece inside the paralytic construct I hate.

Smash49

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2136
Re: Thumb swelling
« Reply #9 on: October 20, 2008, 09:46:16 PM »
Drill bits are round.  Thumbs are not!  If your thumb hole is not worked out properly then you will have a problem.  When I put my hand in a ball and hold it down by my side I can't even feel it except fot the weight.


Smash49
--------------------
Smash49

Slick, tacky, wood or synthetic it does not matter your slide is correct with SLSM Designs Bowlers Slide Sock. The Finest Slide Sock on the Planet!!!
www.bowlersslidesock.com
Striking Cat Bowling Pro Shop inside Chisholm Trail Bowling Lanes of Duncan Oklahoma!
www.chisholmtraillanes.com
Logged
Top 100 Coaches by Bowler's Journal International 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012!  Outstanding Coach in the state of Texas by Bowler's Journal International 2006.
IBPSIA Certified Pro Shop Technician
SLSM Designs Bowling Accessories.
www.bowlersslidesock.com
Pages: [1]
« previous next »