jaw strength

[nk_london]

Hi. I've just taken up boxing in singapore and am wondering if there is really anything to strengthen the jaw. I have TMJ and my left side is very weak. My doctor said i can't take a shot to the right side of my face because it will push my jaw socket hard into my left joint and cause a bad knockout. Apparently there is nothing much one can do about this in general, and some people are just born with good joint positioning. ALso you can actually look at someone's face and tell what is his weak side, and the guys with thick square jaws and big block faces are the hardest to knock out. I'm probably stating the obvious here, but does anyone know how to strengthen the jaw (if at all).

[seppuku]

ive got no idea but id love someone to give a suggestion

[Tom Yum]

Hi. I've just taken up boxing in singapore and am wondering if there is really anything to strengthen the jaw. I have TMJ and my left side is very weak. My doctor said i can't take a shot to the right side of my face because it will push my jaw socket hard into my left joint and cause a bad knockout. Apparently there is nothing much one can do about this in general, and some people are just born with good joint positioning. ALso you can actually look at someone's face and tell what is his weak side, and the guys with thick square jaws and big block faces are the hardest to knock out. I'm probably stating the obvious here, but does anyone know how to strengthen the jaw (if at all).

I think jaw strength is genetic; having a big square jaw would probably be the most structurally sounds.

I have had my jaw temporarily knocked out of place by some hard punches. I couldn't chew very much for about 3 days....mmmmm time for tom yum!

Check with your boxing coach first.

Chew lots of gum. That'll strengthen your jaw. You said you were in Singapore though; instead get some gummy candy that's really chewy and get your bite strength up.

Bite down on a towel really hard. pull the towel down as you try to pull the towel up with your jaw. This should strengthen your jaw muscles.

[gabbah]

What about the typcial muay thai training for jaw and neck strength?
They have a rope attached to a weight. They bite down on the rope and lift the weight repeatedly. Strengthens jaw and neck.
Basically it's the same principle as the one Tom Yum suggested; biting down on a towel and pulling.

[nk_london]

i were a splint that is custom made for my mouth which i grind down on when i'm training either in boxing or lifting weights. I can crush it all i want (it doesn't break or wear down much) and the more i wear it the more the muscles around my jaw develop but the real issue is whether you can really do anything to protect the joint on either side of face. We cover our face because we don't want to get pummelled on either our jaw or our nose. The genetic side is so important that i wonder how to work around it. Basically, for those out there who know how the facial mechanics work, can we do anything to become less susceptible to a knockout if we take a good shot to the jaw (because the joint that makes one's jaw open and close is not designed to be hit hard and I don't think building the muscles up around it will necessarily give it much protection).

Great to hear everyone's thoughts.

[JFG]

Your 'chin' cannot be improved. Some people take a punch better then others. ie) George Chuvalo.

You can help absorb some of the shock of the punch which in turn causes your brain to bounce off your skull a little lighter. By strengthening your neck your head will shift less when hit.

As for those punches that hit you right on the sweet spot (straight line down from the edge of your mouth on your chin) is all genetics. You got it or you don't.