doughboy wrote: i just suc k it up and be a man about it. in fact, i can't even lift my left arm because i pulled something while grappling and again while lifting weights on tuesday, and yet, i was back in the gym this morning lifting. i'm pretty sure i blacked out for a second while lifting due to the pain handful of times...

i would ask someone i train with but we have a big sticker on the door to our sparring area that says NO WHINING ...I can take the pain, but i cant stand doing a technique and winding up on the floor cause my knee gives out..

Before getting any sort of brace for your knee, figure out what is wrong.  Why is it hurting.  If it is just muscle strain, then  a good neoprene brace will help keep the area warm and they offer a little support.  If it is a patella issue, then you need a completely different brace.  A tendon issue, yet another brace is called for.


Get it sorted so you use the right brace for the particular ailment.  You don't want to cause other issues by using the wrong type of brace. 

If you want to try and "self diagnose" the injury, I have found this site to be of great help:


http://www.sportsinjuryclinic.net/

thanks..i think its just a sore muscle 

Any physical therepist worth their salt, is going to tell you bluntly, every day with a brace, is three days physical therapy.

"No whining" means don't whine because it takes work to get better.

I do NOT see "Ignore an injury" in those two words.

 I think it's time you and a doctor versed in sports medicine had a little chat.

If there's pain in your knee, that's a problem. 

Muscle pain is expected.

JOINT PAIN is an absolute WARNING sign that there are BIG troubles in your future if you don't take a pause, get some professional consultation, and then abide that professional consultation.

I've got a book reference for you, that gives you a good idea how to take care of your tools, so you can be an effective martial artist without tearing yourself up in the process.

"The Bare Essentials Guide for Martial Arts Injury, Care and Prevention" , authored by Trish Bare Grounds, PhD.

Dr. Grounds is the USA Taekwondo Medical Coordinator and the US National Taekwondo Team Head Athletic Trainer.  You can find this book through www.turtlepress.com

In a nutshell, in my opinion, THIS BOOK, should be in EVERY do-jahng's library.  The information in it is accurate, and enables the reader to make SOUND choices on how to protect their body during training, and how to nurture it back to health in case of injury.  The information is great for instructors to have, (I personally think it should be mandatory reading for instructors), and for students... it can be priceless.

Protect your body Mike.  You only get ONE issued to get you through life.  Don't allow 'locker room machismo' cause you to make a decision that could shorten or ruin your martial arts career.