How to Avoid Arm Muscle Cramps While Bowling

Almost everyone who takes bowling or any other activity seriously can say that they have had a cramp. Even minor cramps can ruin your game and your good time. There are many routes you can take to avoid muscle cramps. These vary from braces, to heat wraps, to preventative exercises. Here is an overview of different methods to help you determine what will work for your situation.

Braces
While they might be unattractive, a writs brace can help to alleviate recurring cramping in your writs and forearm. These cramps are usually from holding the ball incorrectly as well as trying to make the ball curve down the lane. There are many types of braces that you can get. Some have "bones" or metal inside the material to stiffly hold you wrist in the correct position and others are lace up that you can tighten to become the extra support you are looking for. If you are looking to avoid visiting a Physical Therapist, go to a sporting goods store and try on all the available types, brands and sizes until you find one that fits comfortably. It might be trial and error before you find one that you can bowl comfortably in that alleviates you pain. If you want to avoid this trial and error process or you simply don't know where to start, make an appointment with a local Sports Medicine Professional. They will be able to determine which muscle groups are cramping and what brace (if any) will help you out.

Heat Wraps
Most muscle cramping is a result of poor warm up and oxygen flow. To combat this, many people purchase over the counter heat wraps to wear while bowling. Many brands are very affordable and will stay in place with a little help from athletic tape. These wraps help to keep you muscles warm which in turn increases blood and oxygen flow.

Exercise
There are many methods that you can try as far as exercise. And most often strengthening exercises are the best route when dealing with cramping. You can look on the internet for different plans to help strengthen your forearms and upper arm muscles. This method will be a trial an error process and it may take a while for results to become apparent. You can schedule a visit with a Sports Medicine Professional to diagnose your problem and they will recommend exercises to target exactly where you are having cramps. If your cramps are strong enough where you feel physical therapy is necessary, this is a good option and your insurance may pick up the tab if you are referred by you family doctor. PT's will be able to pinpoint the problem and instruct you on activities that you can use long after your treatment is over.

If the cramping is strictly in your forearms, you might want to try the Dynaflex. This is an at home exercise that really works. My husband has had muscle cramping from various activities and after using this he noticed a dramatic difference. This is a handheld device that can exert up to 30 lbs. resistance, and how much is exerted is up to how fast you can get the interior ball to move.

No matter what the cause, muscle cramping is a pain and can put a damper on your game as well as you night out. If you experience cramping frequently, be sure to see a doctor and not self diagnose as there could be a more serious problem.

This article is not intended to replace medical advice; it is simply an outline of different methods that you should discuss with your doctor about muscle cramping and options for your situation.