Starter7777,
I also shared your concern initially. The normal description of the proper grip is to make the “OK” sign with the thumb and forefinger and then grip your shaft accordingly. I have, over time, evolved to a grip I have seen described on several posts as the “C”, or possibly “U” grip, wherein you don’t really clamp down on the entire circumference of the shaft, but put pressure primarily on the sides, thereby working the tunica, without (heavily) impacting the dorsal nerve or the CS on the lower side of the shaft. Some power jelqing devices use rollers that work in similar ways.
This had several immediate effects. I noticed that I no longer developed red spots on the glans,even after long heavy sessions and there seemed to be a lot less penile skin trauma, allowing me to jelq longer and more often. The girth gain progress has been at least equal to, and probably better than when I used the “OK” grip, probably because I now jelq more effectively without triggering negative PIs.
The down side is that it is much, much harder on the hands and forearms to work the tunica as hard without encircling your shaft completely, but you get used to it quickly and that problem seemed to dissipate in a week or so.
In reality I now still close my grip in a complete circle, as it is almost an unnatural position to not close, I just do not clamp onto the dorsal or CS surfaces. Periodically I will intentionally clamp onto the CS in conjunction with strong kegels to work the glans, but I can now keep the amount of “pump” in the glans to any desired level while maintaining very high pressure on the tunica.
Watch and listen to your unit and your body, watch the PIs, you’ll find the “sweet spot” that works for you and the gains will come.