pulled my right rhomboid

[audax]

Dang it. Hurts. Throwing blows with my right arm is right out for a few weeks. Like six, I would guess.

So. I'll be fighting left handed for a while. What advice do folks have regarding rehabbing the rhomboid and to work on left handed?

Sheesh...of all the weird and painful muscles to pull. Sitting, standing, laying down, it hurts.

I really want to get the mechanics and technique down pat on my left side as it is my weaker side. So, please, lots of good advice on that.

I plan on using this advice on the right side as soon as I can use that side again.

Thanks, ya'll.

[Bob H]

I tore a muscle in my right forearm and had to fight lefty nearly a year. The thing you need that you probably don't have as a new lefty is muscle memory - you still know how to throw the shots, and it isn't that hard to transpose, but your left arm won't follow orders. I got the shit beat out of me, a lot, but I learned from it too. Doing lots of slow work, shot mechanics, repetitions helped a lot.

You can look at it as a golden opportunity - your left arm doesn't really have any bad habits yet, so it can learn without unlearning first.

[maxntropy]

Audax:

PM me with your email address and I will email you a set of suggested Rhomboid rehabilitation exercises with diagram.

Ouch.

In regards to lefty cross-over, I would suggest you try to make *absolutely* certain you are generating power from your lower body and transferring that power to your weapon by locking your upper body to your lower body.

Forgive the obvious irony (and I know you fight like a *fighter*), but most fighters when first learning how to properly fight with their left-hand (most *don't*) hit like "girls" -- by not maintaining proper lock.

Fighting with your left for a while is a powerful-good thing, despite the injury, as it will significantly extend your technique and force you *way* out of your comfort zone.

Try to get that shoulder massaged (I know how incredibly difficult that's going to be for such a hideous nag with such unappealing characteristics). ':P' Lacking a partner (which always stinks), you can try self-massage by placing a tennis ball or something similar under the rhomboid and rolling on it.

If you check-out the Stretching and Exercise page of our Scholum site, we have some recommendations for things like White Flower Oil (like Tiger Balm on steroids). I might also suggest something like the Shoulder and Elbow Ice Wrap which I also use (primarily for my hideous elbow problems). Ice is probably the best anti-inflammatory (for muscles, you might also want to use ibuprofen, though naproxen sodium can help as well) -- and can significantly help with the strain. The wrap helps keep the ice on the shoulder area and allows you to be mobile. Alternatively you can put ice packs down on the bed or couch and lie on them. Try to use the ice 20 to 30 minutes (maximum) every 3 to 4 hours for 2 to 3 days or until the pain goes away.

Let yourself heal. Don't aggravate things, would be my suggestion (take it from one who has aged in the SCA from his teen years to long-term physical detriment).

Max Von Halstern

[Ceawlin Alreding]

If you normally don't, put a tip on your sword.

[ThorvaldR Skegglauss]

Audax,

I don't know really what specifically you should do different for left vs right handed fighting.

All I can add is don't forget to block!! That seems to be my biggest problem when I switch hands. I can throw blows alright but forget to use my right side to block with. It probably has to do with the shield is for block and sword is for hit mentality. So my brain knows sword is in left hand so swing but forgets to add the right hand block part.

Thorvaldr

[Marvin]

Hi Audax!

I got to spend a year left handed due to a severely strained rotator cuff. I don't have a great deal to say about mechanics - what works right handed works left handed. I spent a gagillion hours watching Duke Paul's videos and practicing on the pell.

Here are some observation I have on my process:

1.) Your sword work will likely come along much faster than your foot work. I'm not the most agile guy around so it took much longer for me to get my feet under me. My blows were landing fairly solid after only a week or two of concentrated practice.

2.) As Max said, you can't cheat technique in the off hand. Slop will always hit like slop.

3.) Most left handers throw a very limited set of blows (Note: I said 'most'). Snap, wrap and off side. Throw in the occasional leg shot and you have about 95% of the typical lefty arsenal. Some of your right handed knowledge will come in very handy.

4.) After you get good with it, you will OWN many mid-range and lesser lefties. They don't practice enough against other lefties.

and, this being the SCA...

5.) Everyone will make cheesy 'Princess Bride' comments as you switch back and forth.

Good Luck! It's going to stink on ice for a few weeks but it will pay off huge down the road.