left forearm muscle injury

[twix]

heya folks,

i must have done something wrong during suburi, and now this part of my left forearm hurts:


http://host.imageshack.us/files2/damn.jpg


the pain is not constant, i only feel it at certain angles (eg. joge/ naname buri, and when i cut kote and do - however, it's mostly fine when i cut men), and when i apply pressure to it, eg. pushing myself away from a wall. there's also a very slight bump on the part where it hurts.


i asked my sensei, and he said, 'hmm... that's unusual...' and advised me not to force myself, especially during joge/ naname buri.

my dad, who's a retired gp, saw it and said that it's the part of the muscles where it connects to the bone, and it can be injured very easily from over-exertion.


well, it was actually getting better today, but we had training and did 50 each of joge buri, naname buri, men, sayu men, and 100 hayasuburi, and at the end of it i was cursing myself because it started hurting badly.


so... my questions are:

1) what do you think it is, although i understand 'you're not a doctor' (unless you actually are!)?

2) what can i do to help it recover quickly? a fellow kendoka recommended me to increase my protein intake to help muscle recovery, but there's only so much protein drinks/ bars and red meat i can take. :ermm:


thanks in advance!

[Hai_hai]

heya folks,

i must have done something wrong during suburi, and now this part of my left forearm hurts:


http://host.imageshack.us/files2/damn.jpg


the pain is not constant, i only feel it at certain angles (eg. joge/ naname buri, and when i cut kote and do - however, it's mostly fine when i cut men), and when i apply pressure to it, eg. pushing myself away from a wall. there's also a very slight bump on the part where it hurts.


i asked my sensei, and he said, 'hmm... that's unusual...' and advised me not to force myself, especially during joge/ naname buri.

my dad, who's a retired gp, saw it and said that it's the part of the muscles where it connects to the bone, and it can be injured very easily from over-exertion.


well, it was actually getting better today, but we had training and did 50 each of joge buri, naname buri, men, sayu men, and 100 hayasuburi, and at the end of it i was cursing myself because it started hurting badly.


so... my questions are:

1) what do you think it is, although i understand 'you're not a doctor' (unless you actually are!)?

2) what can i do to help it recover quickly? a fellow kendoka recommended me to increase my protein intake to help muscle recovery, but there's only so much protein drinks/ bars and red meat i can take. :ermm:


thanks in advance!

You may need to give your arm a break in order to recover.
You may not be able to recover quickly. It may take time.
I've had over-exertion to muscles. It is better to let your muscles completely rest than trying to "exercise" it back into shape, that just makes it worse or prevents recovery.

[litige]

Some of the muscle we use in kendo are not very used in every day life. I had this kind of problem with my arm, over training it, not used to it, so it hurted.

[JSchmidt]

I actually had similar problems a couple of months ago...it turned out that it was not from kendo, but that I was leaning that part of my arm on the edge of my desk.
Bought a wristpad for my keyboard and problem went away.
(So if you work with computers, it might be worth checking).
I then promptly sprained the bottom of my wrist afterwards, so now I'm scr*wed again :devious:

[mkomoto]

In the current issue of KW (in the mail now) there is an extensive article on Kendo Elbow, or elbow extension posterior compartment syndrome in Kendo.

Although your condition may be the result of other factors, the article should provide useful information for your understanding of upper extremity function with relation to kendo striking and thrusting.

As well as elbow extension, there is a great deal on the biomechanics of striking, including wrist flexion, including the whys and hows of the moment of impact, muscle recruitment, and employment of antagonistic muscles. It may be of interest to you. Please see the regular column: Kendo Clinic.

Generally speaking the usual advice for muscle and joint injury, you should be avoiding any action that causes pain. Becoming tired with soreness may be normal for vigorous exercise, but pain suggests a serious pathological process underway. Small pains may develop into chronic problems nagging one throughout life, therefore, proper care is definitely warranted early on. With any onset of pain you should cease activity and ice the area for 20 minutes, with 20 minutes break before resuming icing. You should certainly see an orthopaedic physician with experience in sports medicine, in this case, a tennis or racket-sports club team doctor, may be most specific.

Please take time to look at the Kendo Clinic article on Kendo Elbow, it should provide a good base of knowledge with which you can engage meaninful exchange with your professional care giver.

mkomoto

[twix]

You may need to give your arm a break in order to recover.
You may not be able to recover quickly. It may take time.
I've had over-exertion to muscles. It is better to let your muscles completely rest than trying to "exercise" it back into shape, that just makes it worse or prevents recovery.
That's what I thought.. Not exercising and missing training is the last thing I need. :(
How long did it take you to recover?


I actually had similar problems a couple of months ago...it turned out that it was not from kendo, but that I was leaning that part of my arm on the edge of my desk.
Bought a wristpad for my keyboard and problem went away.
(So if you work with computers, it might be worth checking).
That's exactly how my desk is set up as well! Although it's not what started the problem, it must have really aggravated it. Hmmm time to ask for workers' compensation and go on annual leave! :D


Thanks again, everyone!

[JSchmidt]

That's exactly how my desk is set up as well! Although it's not what started the problem, it must have really aggravated it. Hmmm time to ask for workers' compensation and go on annual leave! :D


Actually, it could easily be what started it and kendo just pushed it over the edge.

Jakob

[sparkie]

Hey- So what happened to the forearm? I'm curious because I've been getting it too. I've only been at this for a little under two months, and my left forearm (the part that faces out) hurts in a weird way- it's definitely more than just soreness from exercise.. The pain also only exhibits when my forearm is turned at certain angles, like when I roll my wrists in or out. or at random moments.

[Mr. T.]

ehhhhh... you do realize this tread has been dead for 2 years?

[Kitsune]

You have to rest now... You have to go to a doctor

PS: I can not see a pic on the web page you give us

[Lone Kitten]

I agree... REST IT! I had a similar injury and carried on... the muscle got tighter and tighter and eventually ripped... gving me nearly eighteen months off kendo... BE WARNED!!

[Omnis]

...sigh.

The topic is 2 years old. Sparkie just wants to know what happened after the whole ordeal.

Anyway, sparkie, just rest the muscle. It might take time, but stretch and rest it. One time I was doing some hardcore calf exercises. After I finish lifting, I went home and a few minutes later, I seriously could not walk. It took me 2 and a half weeks before I could walk completely normal again. The same thing might apply to your forearm. So, don't over exert yourself, and make sure you take care of your body following your exercises.