Are some of the hold safe for arteries?

sable started this discussion · 1/14/2010

I was wondering if anyone knows if holding the pole with thighs, deep knee hang (haven't tried this yet), and the one were it looks like you mostly hold with your armpit (which I have not tried either) is dangerous to the arteries. I mean you get bruised and your squeezing with that area. There are endangerment sites in some areas. I was just wondering if anyone has ever heard of anyone getting seriously injured from that?

7 replies

Audball · 1/14/2010
I'm sure there have been injuries, but i'd imagine they'd mostly be muscle or tendon, or maybe nerve impingement. Bruises are just small internal bleeds, and will heal up in most people (certain types of haemophilia may prevent healing). These shouldn't cause any long term damage, just a bit of tenderness and an unsightly bruise! I don't know much about the injuries that can occur from pole dancing... i'm sure plenty of people on here can comment on that. But I know that bruises are usually nothing to worry about.
azzwoo · 1/14/2010
I'm wary of doing the armpit type hold as the brachial plexus can be vulnerable in this area, but thats just me being a scaredy cat as I've had arm nervy problems in the past. Not really sure about arterial routes though, is there a particular reason why you are more worried about arteries? There are loads of people that do these moves with no problem, and there are loads of people that do much more simple moves that end up injuring themselves, I guess you jsut have to weigh up whether you want to take the risk.
sable · 1/20/2010
I got a pretty bad looking bruise from climbing and holding/crossing my legs and then I re-injured it again and it was really nasty looking. It is on my inner thigh and it's going away now but I do feel a lump in there ( I think I was holding the pole too high up with my thighs and it's very sensitive there). I guess I'll have to wait to see in another week if it goes away.
Audball · 1/20/2010
The lump is probably just the blood clot under your skin, where the bleed is healing itself. It's actually kind of a good sign. Obviously it may need to be checked out if it doesn't go away. Arnica is supposed to be good for bruises. You can get it in cream or tablet form. Also, apparently if you rub your bruises after they happen, and before they appear if you can (sore, I know!), it can prevent the area getting all brown and bruised-looking, as it helps the blood to move around.
pole-twista · 1/20/2010
i have also wondered this as blood clots and DVT run in my fam ( almost killed my dad) and i am on Birth control pills which also increases risk of clots. hmm..
SissyBuns · 1/21/2010
In the case of arteries, I think what you're concerned about is putting enough pressure on an artery to cut off the circulation, correct? It is possible to do that but as far as it happening with pole it seems highly unlikely. I can't think of any pole move that requires the amount of time and force you need to put on an artery to block it off. Like....there's the brachial artery that runs through the upper inner arm. Maybe you could put pressure on this area by doing some type of inner arm hold like a teddy or maybe a yogini but, you'd have to squeeze directly on the artey and very hard and for a good amount of time. I haven't seen anyone hang out for minutes in these types of moves, which is why I don't think it's really likely. Of course....anything can happen and if you have some type of pre existing condition then you should always consult your doc and your instructor and see what they say. Maybe there are some things you need to stay away from. 😉
pole-twista · 1/21/2010
ya i have been poling almost 2 years so its not a huge concern, but it has crossed my mind. i actually THINK ( bc never know) if was going to have a problem, would have been when 1st started and used to have bruises literally ankles to hip. big ass bruises too. not like oh look at my little badges of honor.. lol.. no more like i swear i am not being beat up~! ( my doc was concerned when she had seen how bruised and battered my lower half was 😮 😕 😂 )