The makiwara is an implement used by martial artists to improve various striking movements, while at the same time toughening the body parts used for the strike: hands, feet, fore-arms, etc.
It is most commonly available as (A) a wooden plank or pole mounted two feet deep into the ground, with the upper part wrapped in straw rope, or (B) a wooden plank mounted solidly to a floor, the upper part lightly padded.
There are several benefits to this type of training; one is to simulate the impact encountered when hitting whilst fighting. While you have to be able to deal the best possible blow, you also have to be able to absorb the impact without being in more pain than your opponent. Another is to help develop tremendous power; as you strike the makiwara you are pushing through. The resistance from the natural spring of the board helps to focus your body behind the strike.
In theory, it is a great concept and tool, allowing you to strengthen your hands, feet to have lethal effects on your opponent. In practice, though, it can have far-reaching side effects, some of which will eventually affect your quality of life.
It is worthy to note that makiwara training was not part of the Uechi-ryu curriculum of Kanbun Sensei or of Toyama Sensei.
The usefulness of the makiwara is based on “Wolff’s Law”, which simply states that any bone in the body of a healthy person will adapt to the conditions or pressure it is subjected to. The bone remodels itself to adapt to said conditions, and also develops a thicker outer layer. The simplest example would be a tennis player who develops a stronger “playing arm” due to the constant pressure exerted on it (not just on the muscle, but the bone itself).
There are however specific dangers stemming from regular use of the makiwara:
1. Constant pain in later years due to excessive bone remodeling and calcification.
2. The possibility of infections of the skin surface by resilient bacteria.
3. Various possibilities for personal injury.
4. If used at a young age, it can cause massive, even permanent damage.
Let’s explore these in more detail:
1. There are those who claim that “proper use” of the makiwara has no side effects. Some even claim that tests have been done on some masters of the martial arts, showing no problematic conditions. Yet Korean Master Mas Oyama, the founder of Kyokushin Karate, was documented to have lived with constant, excruciating pain during the last years of his life. As with any part of the body, unnatural, constant strain results in excessive wear and tear, as well as excessive modification from “abusing” Wolff’s Law. Many practitioners have reported the early onset of arthritis.
Another danger lies in the over-enthusiastic use of the makiwara – applying too much force to speed up results. This can lead to an increase in size, not only of the knuckle itself, but also the knuckle cavity – increasing the amount of liquid it contains. In later years, as the fluid becomes less, the friction of the over-sized knuckles will become painful.
2. MRSA, or methicillin-resistant staph aureus, is a highly resilient bacteria, able to withstand most common antibiotics. It is a mutated strain derived from the normal, common staph aureus – due to its extensive exposure to antibiotics. It thrives in hot, humid conditions, such as you would encounter inside a “dojo” – the Karate training room. Skin damage due to bruising or lacerations can expose you to infections that could be difficult to control. Keep in mind that, especially in the “dojo”, many people use the same facilities – increasing the probabilities of contracting skin infections.
3. Improper use of the makiwara can lead to various injuries. Punching at an odd angle, or hitting the makiwara towards the (rounded) edge, poses the risk of wrist injury, dislocation, or even breakage. Using a makiwara that does not yield enough could cause fractures, and stress fractures among the bones inside your hand. Hitting it with your arm fully extended will transfer the impact to the elbow, causing short term injury, as well as the possibility for problems over the longer term.
Using too much force on an ill padded makiwara can also lead to splaying of the metacarpals (an effect similar to what you observe if you beat the end of a soft stick against a wall). If not attended to and given time to recover, the compounded damage can cause severe, long lasting problems.
The risk involved to the wrists and metacarpals (finger bones) is the very reason why boxers tape up their wrists and fingers. Keep in mind that on top of this, boxers still wear padded gloves – whereas practicing on the makiwara, especially a traditional one, or one that does not yield enough, leaves the student vulnerable to hand and wrist injuries.
4. As a child grows, the bone structure goes through different phases if “hardness”. Up to about ten years of age, the bones are quite soft. After that, it hardens to a degree, but only somewhere between sixteen and eighteen years of age (depending on the individual) does it reach its “mature composition”. Most people grow until the age of eighteen years, and the bone structure is susceptible to deformation until that age. Students who start using the makiwara at an early age are likely to do irreparable damage to their hands in a short space of time. This damage would of course have a much more profound effect as the body starts aging.
The Biggest Danger.
Perhaps the biggest danger lies in the unsupervised use of the makiwara. Many martial arts enthusiasts erect a simple unit at home, without knowing how well padded it needs to be, or how much it has to yield. On top of this these enthusiasts usually lack the knowledge as to the amount and intensity of training recommended at the onset, expecting too much too soon, and not knowing how much damage is being done in the process. Lastly, without expert supervision, it is easy to strike incorrectly, leaving yourself vulnerable to injury of the wrist and fingers.
Toughening the body is, even according to expert martial artists, supposed to be a slow, gradual process. Many students work harder on the makiwara, hoping to achieve the desired results in a short space of time, and end up doing even more damage to them. This sets themselves up to pay the price in later years.
For those who insist in toughening their bodies for combat, it can be said that (A) it is a lot less destructive to toughen muscle than to toughen bones (such as the iron palm technique), and (B) if you insist on toughening bone, it is best to limit it to areas such as the fore-arm and legs – and stay away from the joints! If you don’t, be prepared to suffer the consequences.
