My tail bone and the CKR :(

Tabbycat started this discussion · 4/7/2010

So I've been practicing my CKR this week, Trying to get it correctly. I should probably point out before I ask that my tail bone section is really bony...I have a medium build...But It's just a section that is SUPER bony. When I work out with my trainer, there are certain ab exercises we avoid because it puts my tail bone area in a lot of pain 0_0. Anyways, my question is: Does anyone else have problems with hitting their tail bone, or resting it uncomfortably on the pole when doing the CKR? I've even tried moving abit further out on my legs to catch a meatier spot, but Then I justend up hurting my tailbone again with my handstand dismount...Does anyone have advice? Am I just doing it wrong all together possibly?

16 replies

horsecrazy12987 · 4/8/2010
I've never had a problem hurting my tailbone in that move, and I'm not a particularly big girl. I would actually suggest that you videotape yourself doing the move and then post it--there are a lot of experienced people on here including some actual instructors who could take a look and see if you're doing something incorrectly and make suggestions on how to correct what you're doing wrong. Your tailbone is going to have to contact the pole in a layback, though, since you've got your butt right up against it in something like the CKR. If you have a really problematic tailbone, you might have to tweak the move somehow or avoid it. Still, I would suggest putting the video up because it might be something about your actual positioning, and I'm sure someone here could help you with it.
Tabbycat · 4/8/2010
That's when my tailbone hits the pole is when I'm doing the layback, not before....So I'm assuming it's normal then? 😀
horsecrazy12987 · 4/8/2010
From what you've described it sounds like you're doing it right...when you lay back, you've got your butt wedged right up against the pole, so obviously there's got to be some tailbone involvement, but someone else might be able to give you some other tips. I'm still pretty new at all this myself, but I chimed in because I'm really comfortable with the CKR.
Mindy4pole · 4/8/2010
The tailbone pain doesn't show up immediately for me, but I feel it the next day. What I found that helped was really squeezing my butt cheeks when I'm laying back. This plumps the muscles up enough so that they take the pressure of the pole, instead of my tailbone. For me, there is also an uncomfortable feeling/pain that centers in the tail bone area (right above my butt crack). I get it when I have overworked my glutes. You can rub them using a hard rubber ball against a wall -- or, ideally, get someone else to rub them for you! Good luck with your sore bottom! 😛 Mindy
Tabbycat · 4/8/2010
Haha 😉 Thanks guys. My fiance will have the pleasure of dealing with my poor broken body's sore bum xD I need a serious back rub with some tiger balm after today!
horsecrazy12987 · 4/8/2010
Maybe my butt's fleshier than I thought. 😂 I don't remember have any tailbone pain even when I was first learning the CKR--the only thing that hurt was my thighs, until they got used to me holding on with just my legs. Now I just do it without thinking about it, so next time I'm practicing, I'll go into a CKR and really concentrate on what I'm doing to see if I can tell why I'm not having any issues with my tailbone. Maybe I just automatically squeeze my glutes without thinking about it. I also do a lot of lunges when I work out, so there might some muscle build up there from that which would help cushion the tail bone. If you don't already do them, lunges are a great way to pack on butt muscle. Be careful with them if you have knee problems, though.
SissyBuns · 4/8/2010
I'm curious to see a vid to see what you're doing and when it hurts. It sounds like you're doing it right to me. I wonder why your tail bone is hurting 🤔
MilienElayne · 4/8/2010
Mine hurts sometimes in the CKR and CAR too! Depends how I get into it and I think it does have to do with butt cheek squeezage and also the degree of back arching going on? I mainly have problems when I lay them straight back from a plain sit or plank and especially when I do them as sit-ups after that: *crunch*. For some entrances I don't have this problem: If I do a wrist sit then lock my legs (always lay a wrist seat right back so your thighs are parallel with the pole and knees turned to the ceiling before opening the legs or you won't be in a position to do this properly, plus I hate seeing an unsteady wrist sit!), or a wrap/drama queen to no hands layback (start learning that one slowly with hands and lock the ankles hard) or a pole pull-up into a straight leg sit then go into one no hands. I think this is because these entries position me differently, make me squeeze more and I arch my back more? That might just be me, though. Maybe play with different entries?
Tabbycat · 4/8/2010
I'll try and post a video tonight when the baby's asleep, I'm gonna go charge my video camera cause my web cam is absolute crap.
Melanie1982 · 4/15/2010
Good Evening! I completely have this problem!! actually got to a point where it's concerning me, I started to practice both the CAR and CKR about 2 months ago!! I did it over and over again in class and the following day I really felt it, but ever since, the pain is still there, it's only a dull pain but it's making it soooo difficult to get this move, Both moves look so pretty and I'm desperate to be able to do them, 🙁
Kristen PoleMonkey · 4/16/2010
I'm SO glad I saw this!!! I started pole dancing 6 months ago. I got my CKR after like 2 weeks of poling, and ever since I got the trick down my tailbone hurts so bad that I can't even sit comfortably. Now every time I do it in practice the pain comes back for a couple of days and goes away eventually. I have no idea what is causing this, but my tailbone almost feels like it's broken. If you find anything out about this let me know! I will do the same. Also, it's not because your doing the move wrong just to ease your mind! I have been told that my CKR form is correct, but I still suffer from the tailbone pain. Have you ever broken or injured your tailbone by any chance? I have in the past, and I assumed that's why.
Melanie1982 · 4/16/2010
Hi Kristen, Thanks for the post, I was starting to think I was the only person in the world with this issue, lol! I also feel it when I'm sitting at my desk at work! it's a nightmare, really demotivating me, 🙁 I don't remember any injuries prior to this either, it's really odd! I should probably see somebody about it but I don't really see what anyone could do to be honest, 🤔 x
Kristen PoleMonkey · 4/16/2010
It's funny I was totally going to post something very similar to this the other day, so I'm glad I found this page! You symptoms sound exact to what I'm going through. CKR is the move I do the most so now that I'm 6 months it doesn't hurt as much like it did when I first started learning the move. So hopefully eventually it will go away for you! Do you have trouble getting into the move? It doesn't hurt to do the move for me as much as it hurts after I'm done practicing.
Angel1201 · 4/16/2010
I can relate. I totally had the same issue. I focused on other stuff until my tailbone felt better. It was almost as if I bruised it and the pain was with me for at least a month. I have to be very careful now with the CKR and related moves. I make sure I tilt/lean just a tad towards the left or right so that the bone doesn't contact the pole. Good luck 🧿
Tabbycat · 4/17/2010
Yeah It's still bothering me. I think It's just my tail bone is a little long, and my butt doesn't have as much meat as my thighs do,lol! It really bugs me, Because I've watched myself do it, and compared my form to other peoples and I'm pretty sure it's not because I'm doing it wrong. I don't know what else to do other than grin and bear it. and I have to keep my hand under my bum when I'm initially doing the layback so I don't totally crunch into meh poor tail bone :/
polergirl · 4/17/2010
Try thinking IRS ass. Clench your butt together as hard as you can while you're on your descent. That will, in effect, move your tailbone away from the pole as muscle takes over. Added effect, IMO, anyway--it tightens your lock on the move, too, because you're engaging muscles all over to hold yourself in positions.