poling and fingers

Dazy started this discussion · 6/3/2011

I was wondering if anyone has had pain or trouble with their fingers since poling? Can poling cause arthritis or perhaps my grip is not right? All I know is that since I've been poling which is a little over year, my ring finger of both hands has enlarged to the point where I can't wear my rings anymore and the little joint (at the end of the finger) is sore and swollen. It bothers me a lot. Do any of you have suggestions or comments about this or how is the proper way to grip the pole? Maybe I am just gripping so tight! Thanks so much

10 replies

LoneStarDiva · 6/3/2011
Arthritis.. I've got PLENTY in lots of places - and I have to say it has only IMPROVED with this workout. ;) Perhaps it is just coincidence that you're getting a little bit AND happen to be poling..( OR.. yes, you could be doing something that aggrivates it? Someone more experienced w/pole will have to tell you that ;) :) I argued for YEARS that exercise helps arthritis because I could never get to the point of DOING any thing; but now that I have Veena's lessons... I feel 100% better. In fact... the last 3-4 weeks since I've been sitting out due to diet; I feel worse again.. lol. Can't wait to get re-started in a couple of weeks. :):)
phoenix kazree · 6/4/2011
When I first started poling my fingers hurt terribly. I was always having to soak them in a bowl of water filled with ice cubes. Until I watched a particular video of Sabrina Woods. I noticed in her handsprings that she would adjust and move her fingers. From that I thought, "wow" she must be gripping mostly with the palm of her hand. I tried this and felt pretty secure. So I've trained myself to grip the pole with the palm of my hand and to use my fingers for balance. The pain in my fingers was gone in under two weeks and hasn't returned. I'm not saying this may be the answer to your problem, but it helped me and may be worth a shot.
Dazy · 6/4/2011
thank you so much! I will try that. Even if it is a touch of arthritis, gripping with my palms will alleviate some of the strain and pressure (I would think :)
RoseMay · 6/5/2011
Gripping with the palm? Is the diameter of the pole important for doing that? I could imagine gripping with the palm on a thin pole, but on a 50mm?
JeHanne · 6/5/2011
For those of you that 'palm grip' can you please provide some additional detail on the technique? I went to my pole and tried to grip without using my fingers for strength and it was an epic fail! I have a 50mm Xpole. Thanks!
Candice Storm · 6/6/2011
Heya, when my elbow and finger joints ache after a heavy pole session, I use Biochemic Tissue Salts. Number 10 is for acidity and rheumatism (which I didn't know I had), so just try it and see. There is also one fOr arthritis. Hope this helps, they are all natural.
AliciaPolerina · 6/6/2011
I totally agree with the "palm grip" theory! Basically you want most of the weight and pressure to be on the palm as opposed to the fingers, so uou can adjust and wiggle your fingers. I figured this out when trying to balance in a twisted grip one day! When I first started pole I had severe pain where my fingers meet the palm but after so many years of getting stronger it has gone away! Yippy!
phoenix kazree · 6/8/2011
To RoseMay and JeHanne, I also have a 50 mm x-pole and I don't consider myself to have super large hands. But I do have a lot of strength. I tried to study this concept today in practice so I can better explain it. RaquelleStar is correct. Most of the weight and pressure is in the palm. Most of it, not all of it! I press the flat of my hand into the pole and counter that with my thumbs. I think (for me) the thumb is the key to. With the 3 remaining opposing fingers (I don't count the pinky), I can adjust my grip by slightly releasing no more than 2 fingers at once. I keep my third joints in contact with the pole. This gives my fingers a break. So I guess instead of saying grip with palm, I should say grip with the palm and the thumb.
RoseMay · 6/8/2011
Thanks for the explanation! This makes sense. I just tried to squeeze my water bottle without my fingers and I did have to use my palm und thumb ..
JeHanne · 6/8/2011
Thanks! I'll be trying it. : )