Anyone ever fracture a rib??

romangoddess started this discussion · 6/18/2012

I fractured a rib about 2 weeks ago and have been so depressed that I cannot pole. I had to cancel 2 workshops so far that I had planned :( One with Jamilla and one with Nadia Shariff. I am also signed up for a pole camp at the end of july that i have been really, really looking forward to. They said they would give me a full refund if I couldnt make it but I would really like to go. I just dont know if I will be ok by then or not. Has anyone fractured a rib before? if so, how long did it take to heal and when were you able to pole again??

11 replies

pegasusaerialfitness · 6/18/2012
I cracked two ribs and it took a very long time to heal, because it is very hard to hold still enough for the ribs to mend. It took me 6 monhs to recover from that.. Take the time now. i think once I was fully committed to getting it healed it took 6 weeks and then very light activity for a couple months after that. Even rolling over in your sleep or walking can interfer with the mending of the bone.
mspretty1414 · 6/18/2012
Pegasus is right, you've got to let them heal. I'll post a pic of mine to show you what happens when you don't (I broke 5 at once so it's a little more extreme, but still...) I'd do absolutely nothing for at least a month
reenie aka Mysfit · 6/18/2012
Oh yeah..........Been there. I cracked 2 ribs learning to invert improperly as a new poler. LET them heal.....trust me. Depending on your age( I did this at 36) it took way longer than if I had of cracked them in my youth....Unfortunately, as we age.....we don't mend as fast. Give them the time to heal. If the Dr is stating no activity for 6 to 8 weeks......Take the 6 to 8 weeks. I still have issues with the ribs in that side from time to time and it has been 4 years since I cracked them.
Veena · 6/18/2012
Like everyone is saying, REST!!! Don't try to rush back into pole or heavy activity. Maybe you could use this down time to focus on some flexibility training for legs (with care of coarse!!) Wishing you a speedy recovery! xoxo
romangoddess · 6/18/2012
Thanks everyone. I guess I should rest. Im offically bummed :(
Michelle Stanek · 6/18/2012
I haven't fractured a rib but close.... I tore the cartiledge that connects the sternum to my rib age. Ouch. I saw my acupuncturist body work guy and he prescribed the Chinese "rib fracture formula" and it was like a miracle. It was disgusting and tasted like dirt and rust but I sweat it made me feel 80% better. Then I rested 100% for weeks and did exactly what veena said--lower body workouts and leg flexibility! And voila. All better. You must heal! In the meantime work on something non rib or upper body related.
Kyrsten · 6/18/2012
Been there... twice :( Once learning to invert, once learning the jade split. It really sucked but thankfully it didn't take too long to heal--maybe 3-4 weeks, but mine weren't that severe so I guess it depends. It seems to be a common pole injury. I was still able to do non-inverted pole work (climbing and basic spins) but nothing inverted or that touched/stretched the injured side.
hookedonpole · 6/18/2012
I did not fracture a rib, but did pull a muslce so badly in rib cage. I did it attempting to invert improperly (not taught correctly when I first started poling). It hurt so freakin' bad I was certain I fractured rib. It took couple of months to totally heal, I was not able to do a lot of things like cough, sneeze, movie without being careful, breathe, ESPECIALLY pole. After few weeks I did attempt a pole class and found out quickly, it wasn't gonna happen. Take time to rest and let it heal. You'll be back before you know it :)
tiggertail · 6/19/2012
Sorry you have to cancel your workshop but do take good care of yourself. Never had broken ribs but did just like Hooked when i start and it last a lot longer because i didn't want to stay away from pole. Damn seeing all those girls who hurt themself inverting the wrong way is really scary, one more reason to keep telling the newbies...NO KICKING!!!!
Tovah · 6/19/2012
You may consider water therapy/ exercise in the next little while. Everything is gonna hurt for awhile but don't forget to practice you deep breathing and exhalation as well.
pegasusaerialfitness · 6/19/2012
definelty wait until those ribs have healed before you try to do any stretching or anything. Stepping down too hard can move the ribs and interfere with the mending process.