I don’t know if it’s just the way you’ve wrote it, but I just thought I’d clarify that it’s not your bottom shin thats against the pole. It’s more the (inside) side of the bottom leg which is (and thats a little more protected by muscle than your shin bone).

You’re probably not doing it with the shin bone against the pole it’s just the way I read it and thought I’d clarify.

Yes this is one that hurts, there’s no getting away from it, but it hurts slightly less with the "sweet spot" on the pole and with your hips pushed forward. Also try not to hammer this in a session. I personally can have 3 attempts at it and then I have to leave it for another session (I did get it before Xmas but with such a long break off the pole I’ll have probably lost it again, meh)