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Author Topic: Thumb swelling  (Read 1849 times)

justinmill14

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Thumb swelling
« on: May 29, 2009, 02:20:20 PM »
I bowl about every day, but have noticed the sometimes when I get to about 6 games or so, my thumb will start swelling bad. Usually to where I can't fit it in my thumb hole. I was wanting to know how the pros can bowl so many games and don't have to worry about the thumb problems that much. What can I do to prevent these thumb problems to where I can bowl more games?
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tdub36tjt

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Re: Thumb swelling
« Reply #1 on: May 29, 2009, 10:47:54 PM »
One word explains how the pros do it.....tape. I worked at Taylor Lanes while the pros were there and I was cleaning up tape for hours. There was tape stuck to everything and then the paper from the tape all over the place. It was annoying to clean up but kind of humorous. Me, I use the IT and have a couple different sized thumb slugs.

Edited on 5/29/2009 10:48 PM

Edited on 5/29/2009 10:48 PM
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J_w73

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Re: Thumb swelling
« Reply #2 on: May 29, 2009, 11:09:03 PM »
This won't prevent the swelling but a little trick you can do to get the thumb down is to take the edge of your shirt, a thin towel , or silk handkerchief and force your thumb into the hole with that fabric.. it might be a bit painful but it will shrink your thumb for a good 5 or 6 frames.. and you can do it over and over and it seems to work..

I have used this many times and has got me out of trouble in leagues and tourneys..
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Book Average 215 / 205,PBA Xperience ave180

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350 RPM, 17 MPH

Smash49

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Re: Thumb swelling
« Reply #3 on: May 30, 2009, 11:12:56 AM »
Having a properly fit bowling ball helps a great deal.

Smash49
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icewall

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Re: Thumb swelling
« Reply #4 on: May 30, 2009, 11:54:11 AM »
quote:
This won't prevent the swelling but a little trick you can do to get the thumb down is to take the edge of your shirt, a thin towel , or silk handkerchief and force your thumb into the hole with that fabric.. it might be a bit painful but it will shrink your thumb for a good 5 or 6 frames.. and you can do it over and over and it seems to work..

I have used this many times and has got me out of trouble in leagues and tourneys..
--------------------
16-17 mph,350 rpm,PAP 5 1/2 x 3/8up, HighGame 300 x 3, High Series 782
Book Average 215 / 205,PBA Xperience ave180



thats very true. I also try to keep my hand elevated a bit.

since i wrap my thumb in "fitting" tape I just jam it in the thumb a bunch of times while i wait for the guy next to me to finish bowling. its the same thing as using a cloth. I also so this because I like to have the thumb hole tight when I use fitting tape and if I make it loose I lose a lot of revs.
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nd300

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Re: Thumb swelling
« Reply #5 on: May 30, 2009, 11:55:26 AM »
I used to use a glass full of icewater and hold my thumb against it and dry it off before every shot. That kept the thumb nice and small. The ater helps with hydration in longer blocks,too.
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justinmill14

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Re: Thumb swelling
« Reply #6 on: May 30, 2009, 11:55:41 AM »
tdub36tjt, so your saying that I should make the thumb hole bigger, and when I start out, put a lot of tape in, and as it shrinks, take some out?
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Easy10pins

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Re: Thumb swelling
« Reply #7 on: May 30, 2009, 12:10:57 PM »
Here's a weird idea.

Try the Brunswick thumb sock.  Every few games I throw it on and it not only keeps my thumb from swelling after bowling multiple games but it actually makes my thumb shrink back to normal size.  Probably since the skin isn't constantly being rubbed on.

I also take a kaybar and a little sandpaper to the callouses on my thumb every so often.

I've found that even a properly fitted ball will cause swelling.  I've fine tuned my thumb with every workout tool available and it still swells.

Edited on 5/30/2009 12:12 PM
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J_w73

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Re: Thumb swelling
« Reply #8 on: May 30, 2009, 11:39:15 PM »
I think you should always have a bigger thumbhole enough for atlest 3 or 4 pieces of tape.. I just drill mine round so the width fits.. but fill the void behind the thumb with tape.. I rarely have problem with the width of my thumb swelling..

but your thumb should always be drilled bigger and then made to fit with tape.. then you take the tape out as your thumb swells..
you can always take tape out.. its tuff to sand or ream out a hole during competition or league....
--------------------
16-17 mph,350 rpm,PAP 5 1/2 x 3/8up, HighGame 300 x 3, High Series 782
Book Average 215 / 205,PBA Xperience ave180

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350 RPM, 17 MPH
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