Tell me about rotated ribs....

moonlitmare started this discussion · 5/3/2014

This rotating rib phenomenon..I had never heard of such a thing before pole. Now a year into it and I've just had a 3rd person say to me, "I haven't been poling much since I rotated my rib again." What??? Being someone who has spent most of their life around an industry that frequently breaks ribs I don't think that rotating one sounds appealing at all. How does one rotate their rib? Is it a particular group of moves? a result of trying a trick without the proper fitness level? or just another one of those associated "risks" you accept when you take this on as a hobby? The aspiring doctor in me would love to see an x-ray of this, but outside of some chiropractic advertisements and articles of atypical rib placement resulting from scoliosis, I can't seem to find any orthopedic reference. Is this term perhaps a misnomer? Maybe what I'm picturing in my head is not what is actually happening? Can someone explain? Thanks

12 replies

EtherealAnnie · 5/3/2014
That's interesting. Where is the pain located on the rib cage?
HilaryKate aka LolaSlaytor · 5/3/2014
I'm in my anesthesia residency, so bones aren't really my specific area (on the other hand, things that could affect breathing is my area so ribs are more important to me than some other bones), but from a medical point of view, I have never once heard of that happening. I can't fathom how it would be physiologically possible. I'll double check with an ortho friend, but essentially, your ribs are curved - that's what shapes your chest wall. If one were to rotate, it would have a massive impact on the anatomy of your chest wall and all the musculature - it wouldn't fit the shape. I think that people saying they "rotated their ribs" is more than just a misnomer, it's an example of people talking about something they don't properly understand. Lots of people who teach pole don't have a background education in physiology and anatomy (see my long winded post in response to the #trainsafe blog), so when an incorrect term starts being used, it often spreads within the community as people respect the advice and instruction of their mentors/instructors/whatever (note: I am not saying that you can't be a good instructor without a background education in physiology and anatomy, you definitely can). Not the greatest analogy, but I would liken this to people saying they have "the flu" when they have nausea/vomiting/diarrhea... when influenza is actually an upper respiratory tract infection (cough, stuffy nose, chills, fever, muscle aches, etc). Usually people who have "the stomach flu" actually have a viral gastroenteritis. Not the flu, not influenza. Just using a word that they don't fully understand because enough people within society will understand what they mean (even though it's wrong). But I will double check with my ortho friends just to be sure!
azblanco · 5/3/2014
I have a rib that needs to be popped back into place by my Chiropractor, as we speak. Its usually something that Chiros and acupunturist work on. I can always feel when my when my ribs shift out of alignment and it never happened before pole. I always feel a constant dull, poking pain, when its out of place. I dont think there is really a way to prevent this from happening, the body just naturally shifts around in general-- bad posture, physical activities, etc. Im not even close to being an expert.. This is just my personal experience
azblanco · 5/3/2014
In my situation-- when i or my Chrio says my rib is out of place, it something that sounds worse than what it really is.. its a super quick fix when i go to his office.. but it always shifts out again.. Chriopractors work magic but using this type of hollistic approaches requires continued, maintence visits
HilaryKate aka LolaSlaytor · 5/3/2014
azblanco - a rib out of place is something that is totally possible from an anatomical/physiological point of view, but a "rotated" rib specifically is something that doesn't make sense to me anatomically
Lucca Valentine · 5/3/2014
As a massage therapist dealing with lots of pole injuries, the most common culprit to recurring rib pain is a tight or spasmed serratus anterior It attaches the scapula to individual ribs so I think that tension just torques the ribs out of place. It def is not as bad as it sounds. To prevent this issue that's all the pole press stretch is an excellent stretch to perform before or after pole sessions. Also, I find that just hanging from a chin up bar and taking deep breaths brings the most relief. To lessen intensity of this stretch, put a knee on a chair so that your whole weight isn't hanging from the bar. Then let yourself hang and take deep breaths. You should REALLY feel the stretch on the exhale
Phoenix Hunter · 5/3/2014
I think it is just a misnomer also. it is just wrong word to describe what they mean. they are probably referring to a dislocated rib. ummmmm, pole puts ALOT of strain on your ribcage. I could see how this would easily happen. I had a rib injury not too long ago and had to take a few weeks off the pole. I didn't go to the doctor. I should have! I was worried I may have broken a rib. It was hard to breathe, laugh, cough, etc. the only way I could sleep at night was to lay directly on the affected side and NOT move. wearing a bra hurt when I was putting it on but once it was on it made the ribs feel better. my injury (whatever it was) was due to trying to chopper when I wasn't ready. my hips were not going high enough so my ribs were being squeezed into the pole. I didn't try it again until I did a lot of strength training. No, I could not stretch during this injury. stretching felt like someone hitting me in the ribs with a metal bat. it hurt to inhale! if you have a rib injury stretching is not always a good thing to do. especially if you don't know what is going on. don't be a dummy like me. go to the doctor. if it is fractured you will really hurt yourself by continuing to pole or trying to do stretches.
Lucca Valentine · 5/3/2014
^^^ that is exactly how I messed up my rib. Omg. So not a fun pain. And def want to emphasize stretching is helpful in PREVENTING an injury, not meant for those who are already injured!
Lucca Valentine · 5/3/2014
Wiki on serratus: http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serratus_anterior_muscle "Additionally, all three parts can lift the ribs when the shoulder girdle is fixed" - which the shoulder girdle would be fixed against the pole while inverting, especially if not done properly/with proper strength. This muscle's action is exactly the one(s) that would be necessary for inversions Definitely see a doctor if you are injured, but since you mentioned being interested as an aspiring doctor, thought I'd share the theory.
en.m.wikipedia.orgSerratus anterior muscle - Wikipedia
Phoenix Hunter · 5/3/2014
yep, if I had done stretching and strengthening before, it probably wouldn't have happened. I think the chopper is a common cause of injury for those not ready for it.
Krista Bocko · 5/4/2014
Interesting..I too had never heard of 'rotated ribs' til a few months ago. I should ask my chiro about it to see what she says as well. I feel a lot of strain on my ribs/muscles when doing the meathook, so I really limit how often I do it. I also agree that chopper before one is strong enough can cause all sorts of issues.
Veena · 5/5/2014
Hey guys, if you want to help protect your ribs please take time to learn how to properly do pole holds, this will give you a correct starting point for inverts and can save you from rib pain and other issues. This video shows 4 easy exercises for scapula and proper placement for the Side Pole Hold used when inverting. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rJ3V_2DsxgE&list=PLyXWQXP3dueofybLatPPuLCbvfSPF2oSF