Sternum muscle injury

Summerthyme started this discussion · 2/22/2015

I was wondering if anyone has encountered this problem... I was practicing the basic invert and gemini. I didn't over do the practicing and never felt anything pull, sharp pain nothing. I felt good afterwards. However a couple of days later I began to get chest pains that continued getting worse to the point I was concerned I was having heart problems since they run in my family. Walking and breathing became difficult. I decided I should get checked at the hospital. Great news was my heart was fine, but the doctor said I pulled the muscle near my sternum. I really never felt anything, so I'm puzzled as to how I could of done this and was wondering if anyone else encountered anything like this and some advice on how to prevent it from happening again. Any advice or suggestions would be appreciated. I did warm up for a while before practicing the invert.

10 replies

polegramma · 2/22/2015
This has happened to me more than once over the years as I do repetitive tasks at work. For me, it's always on the dominant side since that side is overdeveloped. My doctor said the key is to be sure I do weight training to strengthen both sides equally. With poling, I can carefully concentrate on developing the non-dominant side "a little more" so it balances out really well. Rest carefully, remember you can't stretch out a muscle pull. In my experience, trying to stretch that kind of injury just makes it worse.
Veena · 2/22/2015
How long have you been poling? Maybe your body wasn't ready to invert yet, because sometimes we can get our butts up there but our body isn't conditioned for it and then injuries happen. Before you start inverting again I would suggest doing some more strength work. :)
Summerthyme · 2/22/2015
I've been poling since November. I already did the invert a couple weeks prior to this. I try to do new things just a couple of times during practice, unty it becomes easier. I always warm up and usually only practice about 45 minutes every couple days.
Veena · 2/22/2015
That's pretty quick to be inverting (just in general) but you might be totally ready! What have you worked on in terms of strength and conditoning. Also you might want to take a look at form, to be sure you are not rounding the shoulders forward when inverting or possibly pulling the scapula too far back, lifting the chest too high? Another thought, had you been stretching the back at all? I've overdone back bending and had a similar muscle strain.!
Summerthyme · 2/22/2015
Oh wow really.... I thought I was a slow progresor because I'm old, lol. I didn't know that is considered quick. I can add a photo of my invert and feel free to critique it. I'm very sure I could use a lot of work to perfect it, but it was my fist try photo. I'm going to take your advice on more strength training. I've been working on the 30 day challenge and pole hold for building strength.
Summerthyme · 2/22/2015
Please go easy on me I was upsidedown for some time waiting for the boyfriend to take the picture lmao.
Runemist34 · 2/22/2015
Those sorts of injuries for muscles are pretty common when you're overstraining. I did that to my bicep not long ago (in August), trying to train for pull-ups that I am NOT ready for. I felt fine all day after my workout, and it was only the next day when I started to feel a little discomfort. It wasn't till I was crying from the pain that I conceeded I should have a sling, and went to the doctor. It didn't take too long after that for it to repair, but I've been wary of that training ever since. It really depends on HOW you are getting into that position, because there are a lot of factors to the basic invert that, if done wrong, can result in injury. Your end result doesn't look too bad! And yes, Veena is correct- 4 months (if you were poling for all of November) is pretty short, and even 6 months can be not long enough. It all depends on your body, how it reacts, and any physical fitness prior to starting! You might be ready, we just don't know ;) Is it possible you could get a video of your invert? Veena is excellent at determining these things!
Veena · 2/22/2015
Men, they have such a hard time getting our pole pics right. lol It's hard to tell from a photo if your form is good, just because the entry it's self is usually the culprit for injury, not always though. In this pic, it does look like you are a bit rounded, so the hips could come up a bit more, but it looks pretty good in the photo.
Summerthyme · 2/22/2015
Yes I notice I could be up more too. That was my first time, so I think I had a little more improvement since that picture, not to mention my boobs pouring out everywhere. So can you tell me a rough time line for progression as to where someone should be? I thought I was progressing average to slow. I'm clueless as to my progress for the time I've been practicing. I take more interest in the acrobatic side rather than the dance and floor moves. I don't know if that's the wrong way to approach it or not. I know everyone is different and has different preferences. I was heavy in to gymnastics as a kid and thus why I find the acrobatics so appealing. I must say I LOVE your site. It is the most informative sight bar none and all the ladies here are so very very supportive of each other, making it safe and comfortable to share.
Veena · 2/22/2015
Thank you! It's really hard to give a timeline, but I would say for someone with no fitness background, inverts may never be obtainable if they only pole for fun, off and on. However someone who poles on a regular basis and has a background in gymnastic style actives and has been active and working out up until they started pole, well they may be ready to invert within a few pole sessions! It really depends on your previous activity level and bodies ability to "catch on". When you feel better take a video for us and we can let you know if your invert looks strong and safe, or if you need a bit more time. You may find floor work challenging, because much of it is harder than it looks, so check that out too. Floor work doesn't have to be sexy only :)