win a ball from Bowling.com

Author Topic: What do you do to overcome physical limitations in bowling?  (Read 1841 times)

mumzie

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 6914
What do you do to overcome physical limitations in bowling?
« on: November 26, 2003, 01:04:26 AM »
What kinds of alterations have you made to your game to allow for physical limitations?

I have a couple of limitations - a very weak left knee (due to an injury in high school), and a pretty bad back. I've also been fighting a really strong tendonitis in my right elbow/wrist.
I still bowl a lot, but have learned a few things to do -
1. I don't bend my left knee a lot - it makes for a style that naturally lofts the ball a bit, but I've learned to work with that.
2. the back - I make sure I do all my stretches, and use an "anti-spasm" cream before bowling to help limber it up.
3. Elbow/wrist - I use a strong wrist support, use ice and heat, and currently am going to physical therapy to help heal the tissues.

My hubby has been diagnosed with advanced arthritis in both knees and his left hip. He can bowl ok for a game or two, then the pain gets really bad. He's currently averaging around 130 - by shooting around 160-170 the first game... You get the picture.
I've gotten him to drop from 16# to 15#, and am currently working to get him to drop to 14, AND go to a far less reactive ball. (he's using a smash/r and an el nino - both way too much to control at this point). I'm at a loss as to what to tell him to change to try and take the pressure off the hip. Any suggestions?
------------------------
www.Shirts4Bowling.com
We Know What Bowlers Want

Home of the HAMBONE shirt!

 

duggre

  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • Posts: 93
Re: What do you do to overcome physical limitations in bowling?
« Reply #1 on: November 26, 2003, 05:08:28 PM »
Geez, MumZ    I just had shoulder surgery and Im visiting
a phisical therapist and I will be ready to go next year!
 How ever if you two are interested in joining a league
I would jump on your team in a minute! You two seem to love
the game and thats GREAT! As far as ball weight? who cares
if you bowl with 6# or 16# its whats going to keep you
in the game for a long time. The sooner you learn to
throw what you are comfortable with the sooner you will
feel good about your competable level, besides that who
really cares what you bowll as long as your pain free and
enjoy yourself!

Cheez Wiz

  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • Posts: 95
Re: What do you do to overcome physical limitations in bowling?
« Reply #2 on: November 26, 2003, 05:47:37 PM »
Supplements to help rebuild the soft tissue will help with the arthritis.  Another step is to strengthen the muscles surrounding the joints to help support the already weakened joint.  Of course anti-inflammatories are helpful as well.

A drop to 14 lbs. shouldn't hurt the score much, but it will help with the endurance a bit.  Looking into the approach, and his finish at the line will give you clues as to just what is going on, and possible solutions to the problem.  Sometimes the best answer is to just take some time off.

I know bowling is very important to the both of you, but you have to take steps now to ensure that you will continue to enjoy it, for decades to come.


--------------------
It's not Ez bein' Cheezy

just joe

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 116
Re: What do you do to overcome physical limitations in bowling?
« Reply #3 on: November 26, 2003, 05:52:28 PM »
i also had to over come pain limitations. i use a soft neopreme knee brace. as for the hand, went down to 14# ball, "vaccu grips", and a couple aspirins.  i bowl twice a week, thou not pain free, much more comfortable. for myself, going to a 14# ball was a big improvement.

channel surfer

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2036
Re: What do you do to overcome physical limitations in bowling?
« Reply #4 on: November 26, 2003, 06:11:27 PM »
Geezz.. And i thought i felt old...
--------------------
My Bowling Clinic Site: http://channelsurfers.vze.com

ASK A PRO:http://channelsurfers.vze.com/atp.shtml

www.bowlersdream.com - save an additional $3 off any $100 order by simply typing in CSB into the coupon code area at checkout.

JohnP

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 5819
Re: What do you do to overcome physical limitations in bowling?
« Reply #5 on: November 26, 2003, 09:33:55 PM »
mumzie -- Last season my hip hurt so bad that I got a replacement for the second half and had hip replacement surgery in February.  I started bowling again in July and am back to bowling two leagues this season.  I have dropped from a 16 lb ball to 14 and shortened my approach by about two feet.  I am using a ball with the least aggressive resin coverstock I could find (AZO Red Fire) to offset my lower speed.  My average is about five pins lower than last season before I quit.  Good luck.  --  JohnP

LuckyLefty

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 17348
Re: What do you do to overcome physical limitations in bowling?
« Reply #6 on: November 27, 2003, 08:17:33 AM »
My right hand is so messed up from a serious skiing accident I switched hands!

From the sounds of the problems most of you banged up people have, I think I'd do the same.

4 to 5 years later you should almost be as good and you'll feel a lot better physically.

Good luck.

REgards,

Luckylefty
It takes Courage to have Faith, and Faith to have Courage.

James M. McCurley, New Orleans, Louisiana

seadrive

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1988
Re: What do you do to overcome physical limitations in bowling?
« Reply #7 on: November 27, 2003, 10:57:52 AM »
Mumzie, I'm sure you already have, but be sure the diagnosis of arthritis in the hip is confirmed by a respected orthopod in your area.

 A couple of years ago, I started having pain in my left hip.  My GP told me it was arthritis, nothing to do but take Advil.  I went to an orthopedic specialist, who twisted my a leg a couple of different ways, and asked me if my hip hurt when he did each movement.  When I said "No" to each, he said there's no way you have arthritis.

It was just a (fixable) case of bursitis.  After a cortisone shot and some physical therapy, my hip was just fine.  Now, I make sure to stretch for 5 minutes before bowling, and I do some exercises to strengthen the muscles around the hip joint.

If it really is arthritis, have you looked into glucosamine/chondroitin pills?  For pain, I believe Celebrex and Vioxx are better than Advil/Aleve/Tylenol.
--------------------
seadrive
Cogito ergo bowl

mumzie

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 6914
Re: What do you do to overcome physical limitations in bowling?
« Reply #8 on: November 27, 2003, 01:01:33 PM »
Thanks, all...
As to my hubby's arthritis - it's been confirmed by xray.
He's taking celebrex for the pain - it helps a lot.
He's thinking about the surgery, but he needs to drop around 80 (more) pounds before he'd be a reasonable candidate. He's already lost about 60 pounds with the atkins diet, and that alone has made a lot of difference.

He takes the glucosamine chondroitin combo, along with MSM.

For soft tissue (mine), I take N-Acetyl Glucosamine (NOT glucosamine sulfate), and MSM. Advil when I need it, physical therapy on and off. Just got done with a round of PT with a new therapist.

Kinda off topic, but...
My first one was a bowler, AND a professional athlete, and although he said that of course my elbow would feel better if I didn't bowl for a while, he understood the drive, and wouldn't dream of telling me to quit. The latest therapist, who is NOT a bowler or athlete, wouldn't tell me to my face, but told my doctor that there wasn't much he could do until I quit bowling. I think it's funny - if I were a golfer or tennis pro, he wouldn't have said that at all - he would have worked with the client "as found", and tried to fix the problem. I'm going to look for a new therapist.
------------------------
www.Shirts4Bowling.com
We Know What Bowlers Want

Home of the HAMBONE shirt!

Game In a BoxLC

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 305
Re: What do you do to overcome physical limitations in bowling?
« Reply #9 on: November 27, 2003, 03:43:59 PM »
instead of having physical problems, my problem is i am too strong for my own good. Having been a pitcher in college as recently as last yr, and going thru the strenous workout regimins, i have a hard time not muscling the ball. I've had to make major physical changes in my game to try to get myself from muscling and grabbing the ball.
--------------------
I'm left handed and i've got a ball and a wall.

The forum whore formerly known as leftycrank300