Swollen knuckles

[bigdaddy]

I've just recently started hitting a 100lb bag. I've been pounding it for about 15-20min 4 times a week for about 2 months. I have 2 questions.

1. In the past week, my knuckles have started to swell and become tender. At first, I just hit through it, and the pain would subside a little as I hit. Then, the next day, I couldn't tap the bag without without swearing. I still have some tenderness, but I would really like to wail on the heavy bag some more. Is this something I can just keep punching through, or will I make it worse? I wear everlast cotton pull-on gloves.

2. I lift weights. (just started back, though ) I have decent snap to my jab, and a good cross. My hooks, however, are feeble at best. Even with those weak hooks, if I don't focus absolutely, I will sting my wrists. All my combos are straight punches. I need help. Thanks for any and all info.

[jukado1]

sore knuckles

Good mourning bigdaddy: in awnser to your first ? DO NOT try to punch through the pain, if possibe see a dr. what might have happened is a tendon, or ligament has slipped out of joint and is crossing your knuckles, continuing to hit will damage your hands. on your 2nd ?, from the sounds of your statement, you do have enough to hook effectivly, the power on the hook comes from technique, and as far as strengthining your wrists, squeezing a ball, pushups, ect. and hitting correctly/soldily will protect the wrists.

[bigdaddy]

Thanks, Jukado. It sucks that I can't pound for awhile. I guess I'll be doing alot of shadow boxing. I don't think I'll go to an md just yet. My knuckles aren't that tender anymore, and the swelling has gone down some. Thanks for the advice.
Also, when I finally get over this, is there something I can do to prevent this type of injury in the future, or is it just one of them things? Thanks.

[street]

i had the same thing but i started wearing handwraps and it went away, then i took them of after 3-4 weeks and i could pound it with gloves only. oh yes you should wait awhile until it doesnt hurt.

[jukado1]

sore knuckles

unfortunetly this is a part of training, almost all fighters at one time or another will have sore hands. the best protection agienst it is solid/correct striking on the bag/target. as Street said, hand wraps, and knuckel pads will help, this is why all fulltime pro fighters wear these in training. .

[Tom Yum]

What about ab conditioning?

Bruce Lee once said "break brick is good, but bricks don't hit back". I've gotten to the point where I can spar light to moderate contact w/ proper gear. I was sparring with this guy who landed a solid right cross just below my solar plexus and just above my belly button and I felt like I wanted to puke!! If I didn't keep my hands up, the cross that he threw right afterwards would have sent me into the canvas. Anyhow his one body shot left me stunned for the rest of the round!

Need some advice. Can anyone recommend some good ab conditioning drills to build up my resistance to body shots? I don't have a medicine ball at home, but the gym I'm at has one. Thanks