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Author Topic: Thumb Issues  (Read 1624 times)

StormRoto

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Thumb Issues
« on: July 07, 2010, 03:19:27 AM »
Does anyone have issues with their thumb going up and down a lot.
My thumb especially in the mornings or when it is real hot and humid goes go up a couple sizes.  I have been told it could be the food that I eat.  I am trying to drink more water but it just seems still to go up and down.  I am a relatively small guy 5 ft 8 and weigh about 160.

Any thoughts or suggestions?

 

Cobalt Bomb

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Re: Thumb Issues
« Reply #1 on: July 07, 2010, 11:23:01 AM »
I have similar issues and went with an interchangeable thumb (switch grip). It was much easier to change one thumbhole than on all the balls in the arsenal. Also, I put an insert on my thumb prior to bowling to compress it, as it normally shrinks after a few frames, easier than carrying a bowling ball.

Scolai

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Re: Thumb Issues
« Reply #2 on: July 07, 2010, 11:09:32 PM »
A trick I learned a few years ago is to lay a dollar bill over your thumb hole and insert your thumb normally (pushing the dollar bill into the hole).  After a few minutes of repeated insert/remove, take away the dollar bill and your thumb will feel just fine in the thumb hole.

Why a dollar bill?  It's smoother than the surface of your thumb and won't cause your already-too-large thumb to split or tear on the insert.  Torn knuckles and bowling balls don't mix.
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agroves

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Re: Thumb Issues
« Reply #3 on: July 08, 2010, 07:56:29 AM »
quote:
A trick I learned a few years ago is to lay a dollar bill over your thumb hole and insert your thumb normally (pushing the dollar bill into the hole).  After a few minutes of repeated insert/remove, take away the dollar bill and your thumb will feel just fine in the thumb hole.

Why a dollar bill?  It's smoother than the surface of your thumb and won't cause your already-too-large thumb to split or tear on the insert.  Torn knuckles and bowling balls don't mix.
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Scolaí

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Try some tissue, works well.
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toomanytenpins

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Re: Thumb Issues
« Reply #4 on: July 08, 2010, 08:14:49 AM »
I swell like crazy. I got a sleeve from my driller that is maybe a 1/16th of an inch smaller than my thumb. I wear it before and during bowling and it works like a charm. Its plastic and slightly maleable so when your thumb is a bit larger you can work it down and then keep it from swelling while you bowl.
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StormRoto

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Re: Thumb Issues
« Reply #5 on: July 08, 2010, 10:26:49 AM »
thanks guys for the responses.  I will give those ideas a try.

dizzyfugu

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Re: Thumb Issues
« Reply #6 on: July 08, 2010, 10:31:53 AM »
+1 for a tissue or a thin piece of cloth (e. g. a handkerchief), either wrapping it tightly around the thumb before grabbing the ball for a couple of seconds, or placing it over the hole and push it in with the thumb, leaving it for a couple of seconds before you remove it and make your short normally.
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Steven

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Re: Thumb Issues
« Reply #7 on: July 08, 2010, 10:59:18 AM »
quote:
I got a sleeve from my driller that is maybe a 1/16th of an inch smaller than my thumb. I wear it before and during bowling and it works like a charm. Its plastic and slightly maleable so when your thumb is a bit larger you can work it down and then keep it from swelling while you bowl.
 


+1. When I went through several years of thumb swell issues, this technique did the trick.

After I went to a more relaxed span and eliminated reverse pitch in my thumb, my swelling problems mysteriously went away.

Check your span according the following Ron Clifton article:

http://www.bowl4fun.com/ron/btm05_files/btm5.htm

This is probably one of the best reads around. I think 90% of drillers could probably learn from this. It might help solve your swelling problems instead of living with them.

StormRoto

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Re: Thumb Issues
« Reply #8 on: July 08, 2010, 11:26:45 AM »
thanks for the tips

I currently have a relaxed grip with 1/8 forward in my thumb and 1/8 left.
Zero in both fingers.  (Which I am going to try to go with reverse in my fingers)