Lifting straps, aching fingers & MSM

Gearloose · 06-Jul-05, 11:51 PM

I've mentioned previously the problems I had with aching finger & wrist joints.

Last weekend I bought a set of lifting straps. I also bought a bottle of 1000mg MSM tablets. I've been taking the MSM twice a day along with Glucosamine Sulfate. I've used the straps in the last two workouts. I don't know whether it's the straps, the MSM, or a combination of both, but my wrists and fingers feel 500% better. It's been a couple of hours since I got home from the gym and my fingers feel great. Before the straps & MSM, by now my fingers would be aching and the joints would be locking up to the point I'd have to pry my fingers open from a fist.

I'll know more in the morning, but this is my second pain-free workout (so far) since starting this.

Gearloose

Lift2Live · 07-Jul-05, 12:16 AM

Glad to hear that you've found something that works. MSM is an absolutely fantastic anti-inflamitory and joint support supplement. I'm thinking it's a combination of that and the straps since they too, have a major impact in aiding the grip during lifts. Either way, keep taking the MSM, it's very underrated and if that along with the straps help you function in life rather than cripple up, use em!

DaRkAnGel · 07-Jul-05, 03:21 AM

I used to take a MSM + Glucosamine supplement. Now im down to just glucosamine and its still working fairly well(although not as well as the mix was in my opinion).

Even though im 17 after 5 days of workouts ... especially if im benching 2,3 times a week my elbows get a bit tight and sometimes pop when i extend. Joint supps have helped me with this, big time.

ocbizlaw · 07-Jul-05, 12:55 PM

There was a thread here somewhere arguing back and forth about wrist straps. Lots of posts railed against them. I've fought off biceps tendonitis and an elbow problem. I couldn't do pull ups or many other back exercises. I tried using straps. In almost no time I was able to do pull ups and nearly double my lifts on bent over rows. Meanwhile, my tendonitis and elbow issues are not entirely gone but are gradually iimproving. I figure I can work on my grip once I'm all healed up.

**threenorns** · 07-Jul-05, 12:59 PM

what's MSM?

my view on straps is that they're a tool, not a crutch. i used to use them for my back workouts, but i don't need to any more - i just use lots of chalk.

Gearloose · 07-Jul-05, 01:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by threenorns

what's MSM?

my view on straps is that they're a tool, not a crutch. i used to use them for my back workouts, but i don't need to any more - i just use lots of chalk.

Methylsulfonylmethane

**threenorns** · 07-Jul-05, 01:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gearloose

Methylsulfonylmethane

ooooooh, riiiight..... does it come in chocolate flavour?

Gearloose · 07-Jul-05, 01:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by threenorns

ooooooh, riiiight..... does it come in chocolate flavour?

hehe, just tablets afaik.

**threenorns** · 07-Jul-05, 01:11 PM

well, that's just not gonna work for me, then, lol!

Gearloose · 07-Jul-05, 01:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by threenorns

well, that's just not gonna work for me, then, lol!

Well, I suppose you could always dip the tablets in melted chocolate and pretend they were chocolate covered raisins!

**threenorns** · 07-Jul-05, 01:17 PM

ROFL!!!!! i'd rather dip coffee beans.... mmmm......

luke.w · 07-Jul-05, 02:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ocbizlaw

There was a thread here somewhere arguing back and forth about wrist straps. Lots of posts railed against them. I've fought off biceps tendonitis and an elbow problem. I couldn't do pull ups or many other back exercises. I tried using straps. In almost no time I was able to do pull ups and nearly double my lifts on bent over rows. Meanwhile, my tendonitis and elbow issues are not entirely gone but are gradually iimproving. I figure I can work on my grip once I'm all healed up.

that thread and this are totally differant, the thread were me and some others railed against them was, the use of straps even with 100% healthy hands instead of trying to strengthen the grip.

Using straps because of a recovering hand injury or arthritis might be differant, I don't know haven't experianced it, I have experianced a bruised hand/slight sprain and many wrist and tendon pains (in the begining) but never once used straps,(and never lost, but gained) as I beleive everything is connected for a reason, and I won't force weight on my body, if my body (hands included) can't do it, and am just proud of that, thats all I'll say about it.

I can't say anything about arthritis, but "do what you gotta do"

rbuchman · 07-Jul-05, 03:45 PM

I'm having AC (Acrom... Clavical, where your collarbone meets up with your scapula) joint problems which is cartlage related will MSM help? How does Chondritin figure into the whole joint issue? Fish Oil?

Also there was an article in Flex magazine that said lower wieght (10-15+) reps actually helps heal the joints. I tried on my shoulder and I'll vouch for it when you're having problems. I plan to switch to the high rep scheme on weekends (I have a four day split so I'd do a light push every two weeks for example) to keep all my joints healthy for years to come.

ocbizlaw · 07-Jul-05, 04:54 PM

I'll be fifty years old on September 17. I don't have the luxury of waiting for my injuries to heal completely while resting everything else. But I will bench 405 on my fiftieth birthday (I'm at 375 now) and I feel it is imperative to maintain balance between my back and chest, hence the straps to maintain my compound lifts while allowing injuries here and there to improve.

Bob

**threenorns** · 07-Jul-05, 07:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rbuchman

Also there was an article in Flex magazine that said lower wieght (10-15+) reps actually helps heal the joints. I tried on my shoulder and I'll vouch for it when you're having problems. I plan to switch to the high rep scheme on weekends (I have a four day split so I'd do a light push every two weeks for example) to keep all my joints healthy for years to come.

ironic: i used to do high-reps/low weight (12 - 15 reps) and it caused no end of joint irritation. that all stopped as soon as i switched to heavy weights. i guess it depends on what's causing the problem: maybe it's because my joint are hyperflexible.