Let the bruises heal some, or keep on poling?

EagleSpirit started this discussion · 12/15/2010

This may seem like a silly question, but I've been wondering for awhile if you keep working on the moves that are bruising you, or if you give the bruises some time to heal before returning to what bruised them in the first place? 😕 I've been working a lot on pole climbing and crucifixing, so the top of my right foot is completely bruised. It is pretty tender to climb with but I've been doing it anyway, as well as pole-sitting and basic-planking with my bruised inner thighs. Does this perseverance help toughen up your skin? Or does it just aggravate the area?

23 replies

MichelleH · 12/15/2010
I think this is a fine balancing act! I think it's good to keep working the moves even if it's a bit uncomfortable, but from what you're saying you're seriously bruised! I know when we do class, we tend to move around between different types of moves so we can practice a wider range of moves (or is that to get bruises in many places at once??) I remember Veena putting up a comment about how often a week a beginner should practice and I never completely got it, but I can tell you that today after 2 back to back days of hard poling and normal stretching and toning with my husband, I'm sore to a point that I can recognise I need to take a break. Take it easy, be careful with yourself!
Tine007 · 12/15/2010
I agree with Michelle 🙂 For me, definitely a day rest between pole days or at least working on something completely different. For my bruises, the same rule applies as for sore muscles: If I'm still a little sore/bruised after my day of rest, I keep working and if I can do the move I'm working on the same or better it's all good. But if I get to the point where I'm still very very sore or bruised so that the move gets *worse* due to the pain, or I can't do moves anymore that I usually can do when not bruised, then definitely stop and rest for a few days till bruise/soreness is pretty much gone. I still work on other moves that use different skin areas and muscles in the meanwhile 🙂 Take care and listen to your body, if it hurts too much it's trying to tell you something 👍 After all, giving your body a chance to repair itself will make it stronger and your skin tougher 🥂
amy · 12/15/2010
hm. i haven't bruised much in a while, but i totally remember the pain on the top of the foot from climbing! gah that was awful. if the pain is making you hold back from executing the move with the points of contact that you should-- then take a break. you can work on your climb left-footed 😀 also, traumeel or arnica gel, applied immediately after a practice to areas that you KNOW you will bruise in, work wonders. i recently fell completely on my right knee, with full body weight--which would ordinarily be a black, huge bruise on me... i bruise like a banana. got home and iced and traumeel'ed that sucker all night. no bruise the next day, and it was slightly tender but nothing beyodn that. miracle.
chemgoddess1 · 12/15/2010
Listen to Amy....she is a wise one!
Veena · 12/15/2010
Use ice immediately after dancing and do not work on the moves that caused the bruising for a few days. You should have a rest day anyway in between pole sessions. If it is getting swollen stay off the tender spot until the swelling has gone away. Everyone heals differently so listen to your body.
EagleSpirit · 12/16/2010
Thank you everyone so much for your advice! I only ever pole every second day (sometimes every third if something comes up that prevents me from dancing) but even with a rest day or two, some of my bruises were pretty tender. The top of my foot was swollen as well as colorful! 😂 I'll give myself more time to heal if the bruises are painful rather than just a little tender. And I'll definately buy myself some arnica (that stuff sounds amazing!) and I'll ice the bruises or soon-to-be-bruises as well. Thanks again! And my bruises thank you, too! 😂
Prncsopowr · 12/22/2010
I have heard a lot about the arnica. Where do you buy it??
Kobajo84 · 12/22/2010
Thank you everyone so much for your advice! I only ever pole every second day (sometimes every third if something comes up that prevents me from dancing) but even with a rest day or two, some of my bruises were pretty tender. The top of my foot was swollen as well as colorful! 😂 I'll give myself more time to heal if the bruises are painful rather than just a little tender. And I'll definately buy myself some arnica (that stuff sounds amazing!) and I'll ice the bruises or soon-to-be-bruises as well. Thanks again! And my bruises thank you, too! 😂 Have you thought about wearing shoes to help alleviate the pressure area of the bruises? I've found alternating between shoes, heels, and bare feet each give me a different experience during pole sessions. Hope that helps. 😀
mizvix · 12/22/2010
@ Prncsopowr: arnica cream is widely available in supermarkets or health shops - not too expensive either! @Kobajo: i swap shoes loads too!! to alleviate pain in certain areas, to practise different moves etc... It's amazing the difference a pair of shoes can make!!
Later · 1/31/2011
I find depending on how bad the bruising is and where it is is a major determiner on if you should continue poling or not. For the first bit when i started pole sits planks etc I was seriously bruised between my thighs, the more I practiced the worse it got untill it was literally black and I could barely walk. Since I gave my body NO time to heal it simply got worse and worse until I could barely pole at all. If you are asking yourself, to pole or not to pole, then chances are you should give it some heal time. Work on some other stuff, such as floor work or strength moves. Just as your muscles need time to heal so does your skin. Broken capillaries need time to heal. I bruised myself pretty badly today between my thighs again and I know now that as long as I give them about 5 days to heal up a bit I will be fine by next week. Don't cheat though and think, Il just do one pole sit, if your going to let it heal then no cheating let it heal fully before you get back at it and your skin will thank you by being more resiliant later.
debbierockz · 2/1/2011
my friends will point out bruises on me that i didnt know i had im just so use to it but yeah iv had to take a day off and just do streching lol
vamp79 · 2/1/2011
Do you guys take a multivitamin with iron? I started taking centrum cardio which has less iron than the average vitamin and it has made a huge difference. I used to bruise every single time I poled and now I only bruise if I truly hurt myself.
nymphdancer · 2/1/2011
hee hee about the comment about putting arnica on after a practice where you think you are going to bruise. After silks class on sunday I had lovely bruises already coming up by the time I got home. I did arnica them right away after getting home but I still have lovely bruises everywhere, although not as bad as they would be if I didn't arnica them right away.... and vamp yes I take iron, but I have to or I'm anemic all the time.
Madfelice · 2/1/2011
The comment about shoes rang true with me The tops of my feet were really sore when I first started the pole climb and my teacher suggested I try different shoes because the ones I was wearing had a strap across the top of my foot that I didn't even realise was hurting but when I tried her shoes it became clear and I changed my shoes and then the bruising got better very quickly. I avoid any shoes with straps any lower on my foot than the ankle now when learning a new move. Once i have the move it doesn't matter so much because I have the foot placement etc right by that time and the straps wont irritate so much but before that point I am very careful which shoes I wear.
Shellectra · 2/1/2011
I definetly avoid moves that have caused bruising til it clears up. For me that is Gemini (outside leg hang) if I do it too much in a row I end up with a very abused looking hip!! Having a day or 2 rest in between poling is good advice, especially for beginners. I don't wake up that sore anymore the next day after poling, and I kept poling daily, but just had a scare when I pulled something in my neck, sore yesterday and okay today... but a warning sign that I may have been overdoing it. My hubby highly recommends resting the body for a day or else injuries are more of a risk, even if you don't feel it...
BailaHoops · 2/13/2011
here is an article posted on hoopcity.ca that discussed bruising and the importance of not pushing on over it. She got a little excssively dramatic if you ask me, but the information is still valid. http://www.hoopcity.ca/forum/topics/bruises-a-serious-health-risk Hope this helps! --Laura
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zoeyates · 2/16/2011
I have found that Arnicare cream by nelsons really helps bruises to go quicker.
mimibella85 · 5/20/2011
Hey girlie's. I know this sounds silly but hemorrhoid ointment works fantastic on bruises. Once you feel it happen, then apply it. You can also use it for bags under your eyes. Or if your fare and bruise easy.
Greekgoddess · 5/22/2011
Hey in response to climbing bruises, I started poling a year ago and used to get the foot top bruise too, the best thing (recommended by my instructor) is to tape up your feet with bondage tape, no joke, it's got no adhesive so doesn't transfer any to the pole and provides grip and protection and it's loads cheaper than ankle protectors :)
TinyDynamics09 · 5/23/2011
awesome advice greekgodess i would have never thought about that
EagleSpirit · 5/23/2011
I still bruise the top of my foot a lot because I usually climb at some point in my practises, so maybe some shoes would be a good idea...that's not cheating, is it? I feel bad enough using gloves even though I've now tried many grip aides for my hyperhydrosis and found only the gloves work consistently well for it. I'm still searching for arnica gel in my area...but now I see that Rub A535 has come out with a formula based on arnica so I'll keep my eyes open for that. It'll be more readily available in chain stores than trying to source it in tiny, out of the way herbal stores. For bruising from other moves, I just rotate the moves that I work on to give my body a break and that works well. It's my poor foot that suffers the most consistent bruising.
danzn16 · 5/23/2011
your bruises will get better! i bruise a lot less now then i did when i first started poling. my foot was black and blue when i was first climbing and i have no idea because climbing has always been easy for me! but now it's nothing like that although i can bruise a little if i climb a whole lot in a class.
TinyDynamics09 · 5/23/2011
@ Eagle Spirit-- dont feel bad. i use gloves too. i look at it like this having sweaty hands doesnt really allow me to do anything so if something helps use it or you'll be stuck on the ground looking at your pole feeling pissed offf lol