Is Twisted Grip affecting me?

Aradia started this discussion · 9/15/2012

Ever since doing twisted grip, I've noticed some changes that might not be the best I can't say forsure it's TG that's causing this... but it's been happening ever since. Or maybe it's just overuse? When I first learned TG, I was doing it a lot, because it was so exciting! I ended up getting shooting pains down my supporting hand for like 3 days straight... so I took a break NOW, I'm finding my rotator cuff to be having issues. There's lots of popping and cracking... and it feels like bone is grinding on bone. It's starting to become pretty paintful. Could this be from twisted grip? Or is it just poledancing overuse? (I pole at LEAST 6 times a week)

10 replies

chemgoddess1 · 9/15/2012
There is a reason that many will not perform and do not teach twisted grip. There is a lot of information here on SV regarding shoulder issues and ones caused by TG.
Aviva · 9/15/2012
But if it is the supporting arm then I am not sure how it could be the twisted grip as that is on top....Do you do any rotator cuff strengthening exercises?
Kyrsten · 9/16/2012
Which arm do you mean? Top or bottom? I use twisted grip (generally only as a transitional move from an invert) and have had no issues with the top arm, but some shoulder/elbow issues with my bottom arm. However it's not exclusive to TG... it happens in true grip and elbow grip as well. It actually first cropped up from learning the elbow grip Iron X and overdoing it with the practices. I have noticed that my shoulder absolutely freaks out if I even attempt a twisted grip shoulder mount though -- won't touch that move, so I definitely believe not every grip is for every body. It could be the twisted grip or overuse... either way, I would take a break from that move for a while. If it feels better and you decide to start working on it again, true grip is a great alternative to twisted grip and as far as I am aware it is a much "safer" grip to use... I actually prefer it to TG most of the time.
Aradia · 9/19/2012
The shoulder in my top arm is what got wrecked. My bottom supporting arm just gets shooting pains through it occasionally, but it's the shoulder of my right that bothers me most of the time now. A physiotherapist assessed me and she said it's from overuse in general... apparently 13 hours of pole a week isn't good for you Sucks that I have to teach a lot, and feel barely able to do anything now. My range of motion is terrible :(
amy · 9/19/2012
It's not just overuse, it's from twisted grip and not having the strength (or just not knowing how) to stay engaged in the right muscles to support your weight as you kick up into it. I've taught 13 hours in a 24 hour period and I definitely don't have any of the symptoms you are describing. These blog entries may help. http://aerialamy.com/blog/2011/11/01/tuesday-tips-twisted-grip-handspring-from-the-ground/ http://aerialamy.com/blog/2012/05/31/thursday-tip-shoulder-strengthening/
Aradia · 9/19/2012
The physio therapist I saw is also a pole student.. She told me its from overuse rather, so I have to trust that. For my body personally it's been too much I guess. And because of the muscles not being able to work together because of the displacement of my shoulder, it has made it weak even though I have lots of muscle tone. So it was probably overuse and then twisted grip thrown into it when my muscles weren't working together in this first place.
Empty · 9/19/2012
I did the same thing actually. I did twist grip thinking i was good at it and almost immediately got that shooting pain down my arm. Thinking nothing of it I kept doing it thus aggravating it more. The forearm pain lasted for days & after reading someone else's post on it from here i finally realized "hey stop doing that!". lol. So i avoid twist grip anymore but even now when i put any pressure on it remotely close to twisted grip i don't get the pain in my arm, i get it in the elbow. Still not a fun feeling and it reminds me to slow the hell down. You live and you learn right?
RikkiL · 9/19/2012
Amy's blog is SPOT ON! I can't stress this enough with my students! That shooting pain in the bottom arm is due to the fact that the top arm isn't doing as much of the work as it should be. The pain in the shoulder is because weight is simply dangling off that arm instead of being supported by all of the upper body muscles. http://aerialamy.com/blog/2011/11/01/tuesday-tips-twisted-grip-handspring-from-the-ground/ "But make sure that you are working on stabilizing that top shoulder, and engaging through the upper body (lats, pecs, shoulders) to pull up, instead of hanging off the top arm and letting most of your weight fall on the bottom arm (which can also cause pain in the lower elbow). And if you don’t already have other inverts in your repertoire like cartwheels, handsprings, and ayeshas– with OTHER grips– then you won’t understand the proper engagement in the lower shoulder, and will be bearing weight on it without using muscles to pull the shoulder blade into the right spot in your back."
Veena · 9/19/2012
The Twisted Grip is a professional level move. The risk is very high that the majority of the population does not have the strength or range of motion to perform this without risk of injury. I don't feel it's a grip that should be taught in studios, if it is, it should be done during private lessons and both the student and instructor need to know what to look for as far as readiness and poor technique. Many of us, myself included, have said over and over, please do not use the twisted grip because it's "easier" to hold moves. Respect your body and it's limits and focus on your strengths. 💪 Pain in the bottom arm durning split grips is common as well, and is commonly due to poor technique or lack of strength. The split grip is advanced, and we all should remember that not every pole move is right for all pole dancers. Wishing you a speedy recovery Aradia. 🌸
Aradia · 9/19/2012
Thanks so much for the info guys... Very good to know. You're probably very right about the strength thing... If I can't do it properly, then I shouldn't do it at all! Even though it is super fun, I will refrain from using this grip anymore :(