| With the recent explosion in MMA or Mixed Martial | | | | negative effects that could make you wheel chair |
| Arts it has never been so important to protect your | | | | bound in the later stages of your life. |
| head and legs with muay thai shin pads and the proper | | | | Times Have Changed |
| headgear. These are the two vital areas that must be | | | | The good news is that there is an easy way to |
| covered in training and sparring to ensure that you | | | | protect yourself now with martial arts shin guards or |
| don't have any long term injuries. | | | | more specific muay thai shin guards. It is also important |
| Mixed Martial Arts seemed to appear out of nowhere | | | | to note that you should also get shin instep guards as |
| and all of a sudden it is breaking records for the | | | | this is one of the main striking points in modern day |
| amount of people watching on PPV (pay per view). | | | | martial arts. This is great for the people who are just |
| The reason I think it is so popular is that it finally | | | | training for self protection and as a means of getting |
| answered the question that has been asked by martial | | | | fit, however if you are looking to go in to training |
| artists for hundreds of years. What is the most | | | | professionally this may not be for you. |
| effective martial art? | | | | Safety First |
| Old School Thai Boxing Shin Guards | | | | The two main areas which should be essential in your |
| For hundreds of years it has been popular in Thailand | | | | training are the shins and the head. Blows to head are |
| to kill the nerves in the shins as a form of protection | | | | the biggest cause of brain damage in fighters and can |
| from blows. They would do this by repeatedly kicking | | | | easily be avoided by using proper leather headgear. |
| hard surfaces at a low impact to deaden the nerve. | | | | The second is the legs. The legs are now a major part |
| Another method is to get a piece a piece of wood | | | | in any stand up combat and can deliver a killer blow to |
| and pressing down firmly, roll it down your shins. This | | | | the opponent and is the main cause of many |
| also has the same effect of killing the nerves that | | | | knockouts in tournaments. |
| cause pain. | | | | Always remember that in any new venture, consider |
| Although this will take the pain away over time, it is an | | | | the safety aspect first and you will get the best from |
| incredibly painful way of guarding your shins for | | | | your training. |
| combat. This has also been known to have long term | | | | |