[Ekinkah]

So many wonderful suggestions! I'm very inclined to give most specialties a chance, including chiro – the way I see it, even if they all deal with a little bit of something particular, everything in your body is so connected that it's bound to help in some way!

I got an x-ray today, and saw a doctor *before* the x-ray – x-ray revealed only mild scoliosis (curvature to my left), and the doctor said it was unlikely there would be nerve damage. That being said, he spent probably about a minute looking at me, the twinge in my back didn't happen to pop up during the visit, and he didn't seem to understand what pole dancing was or what bearing it would have on my body (the right-side-stronger thing). Last choice doctor :rolleyes: Unsure if he was terribly rushed and not very thorough like I suspect, or if I was just expecting to hear more and am reluctant to believe that this kind of problem is mostly 'normal'.

Vixen, you're right – I was thinking 'personal trainer'! Here I was thinking my personal trainer friend could fix me right up, when really he's just going to yell at me and make me do squats till my legs fall off! 😀

[Ekinkah]

Thanks for the replies =)

Chem, you should hear me preaching to the newer students at my studio – they always want to try the advanced moves after seeing me do it, and after my neck inury they seem more reluctant – I always say, POOR TECHNIQUE = INJURY! Haha =D I totally understand, though – everyone wants to get off the ground before they're ready, and safety is the last thing on your mind when you just want to fly! No amount of "she fell out of an invert and seriously DIED" will put fear in the hearts of the young, unfortunately!

It's hard for me to pinpoint the first time I had pain in this area, but the most recent session that aggravated it I was doing all sorts of silly things – mostly watching other students and trying to imitate, without proper instruction! It seems to me that if I'm about to invert and do something new following the invert, I'm so busy thinking about steps 2 and 3 that my actual invert is the last thing on my mind, and I don't engage the muscles between my shoulder blades! Just a theory!

I'm (hopefully) on my way to get an x-ray in a few minutes (taking it seriously, after much goading  – "No really, I'm fine, *please* still come to my performance night, *please* still let me do lyra, It's just a sore muscle!" *goes to pick up a cup, starts to cry*)! Looking forward to my deep freaking painful massage tomorrow, too.

Sensual – my boyfriend has a foam roller which I might steal, and I have a friend who is a PT! Connections, connections.

[Ekinkah]

Thanks for all the advice, guys!

Chemgoddess, although it hurts my pride somewhat, I did consider your suggestion! I had been poling for about 6 months before I started inverting, which is long enough for some people, and not for others. The difference here is that I had multiple experienced instructers working with me, and none of them would give anyone the go ahead who they thought wasn't ready! I had a look at this site: http://heartofpole.net/for-beginners/when-can-i-go-upside-down.html and I satisfy the criteria for that, except for the 'twinges in the back', but I have only ever had these twinges after inverting when exhausted, or when I know my technique is crappy. I have been inverting for almost 2 years now and can do it as a dead lift with no jumping, and I suspect that the subluxed vertebrae either happened early on, when maybe I didn't have the strength I do now, or just from poor technique when I started – and that even though inverting is smooth and natural to me now, it doesn't matter because the damage is done. What do you think?

Definitely agree with the muscle thing – after all, wasn't it my muscles that pulled the vertebrae out of place anyway? My physio is a sports/remedial massage therapist as well, and I'm going in tomorrow for round two of remedial massage. I had no idea PT's could do that sort of stuff, though! Well, I guess I hadn't thought about it!

Aerialvixen, I will definitely look more into that! My dumbells are looking at me from accross the room, and they think they should be used, too! =)

[Ekinkah]

Hey aerialvixen, thanks for the reply!

Even though your injury was different, it sounds to me that yours and mine both happened in the exact same way! Pulling the shoulders back and down would probably protect and strengthen the area that I've hurt – I think it's that one sloppy invert every few weeks, or a tired practice session where my technique fails that has led to this! Aside from inverting properly and with control, what exercises do you do to strengthen both sides of that area?

Interesting what you've said about chiropractors! A lot of people I know seem to be of the opinion that it's not a science and that theyre quacks – I knew nothing of the difference between Australia and overseas! I am definitely going to go to a chiropractor soon, though – I was hoping to get an x-ray first, though! Do people usually take x-rays to chiropractors?

Although I'm not glad you got hurt, it makes me feel better to know I'm not the only one… if that makes sense. It sucks feeling alone!

[Ekinkah]

What everyone has said so far has been golden! Comparing yourself to other people is so pointless, especially since the grass is always greener – you will never see what you are good at, only what other people are better than you at!

Another useful piece of advice I have given to myself at times past is this – try looking at yourself in a mirror while you do it, just once every now and then. Chances are, you're a hell of a lot more graceful than you FEEL – everyone feels clumsy and terrible when they start a new trick!

If not – chin up! EVERYONE has felt like this at some stage, even those you look up to the most!

[Ekinkah]

If only they did international shipping =(

[Ekinkah]

I just recently started Lyra, almost 2 years after I started poling! The Pole Gym (where I started learning pole and still go now!) started offering Lyra classes, and I just couldn't wait! It is so much fun, if you get the opportunity to try it, don't miss out! Another The Pole Gym a bit further away from me has really high ceilings and offer Aerial Silks classes, and I'm hoping to get into that at a later date – it looks so similar to poling (a lot of the moves look the same! Anyone agree), but it's gonna be a challenge to be climbing up a soft, swishy pole!

[Ekinkah]

I had a look at Mai Sato's video and posted this comment:

"Why the hell is everyone disliking positive comments? If you're a pole dancer, support your colleagues, if you're not, what the hell do you know? This woman is very smooth and executes some complicated moves, and it's good to see a fresh face on the pole dancing scene.

If Felix Cane and this chick met, they'd shake hands and compliment each other, not boo each other and smack talk!"

I got a response almost immediately saying this:

"Thank you for raising this issue. We observe for a very long time, that someone has been harassing Mai Sato by dislikng all positive comments received by her, not only for this video but all of her Youtube Videos as well. On top of it, that person also reported Mai's video as inappropiate."

So, you are not the only ones noticing this! It is very childish and horribly misrepresents the pole community that we experience, which is one of encouragement, friendliness and supporting each other! Someone also commented saying that Felix and Mai DID meet, and they complimented each other and were very proffessional and friendly!

I suppose the best we can do is keep supporting each other and creating a supportive, welcoming community environment! People are going to be massive wankers no matter what, in relation to everything, not just pole dancing! Just nod and smile! =)

[Ekinkah]

That's awesome! I'm so excited, I can't wait for mine to get here!

How long did it take for your sample to arrive? I have been waiting almost three weeks!

My instructor told me that after a while (like, a few routines), poles that have had dancers using itac2 on them become slippery – and thus, it was banned in competitions. Has anyone heard anything about this? I'm very curious.

Does it come easily off the pole when it is wiped with metholated spirits?

[Ekinkah]

That would explain the pain I get sometimes when I squeeze them back! =D Thanks for the tip! I will get straight onto those strengthening lessons. So glad I signed up!

[Ekinkah]

I have been having similar upper back pain, but I only assumed it was nothing to worry about and kept going – it's been hurting on and off for about 3 months now, but I can't afford physio or anything like that! It only just occurs to me now, reading your posts, that the pain started when I was doing this same inverted V! I do not recall any specific back positioning instructions in my class either, my focus was just on getting into the move and holding it!

 

It is very frustrating – if you touch the vertebra bump on my spine it feels like I am being punched there, instead of gently touched! Now it hurts (on and off) when I pull my shoulders back and down (as I should be doing), and it flares up after inverts!!

[Ekinkah]

Hey PennyGirl,

Read my above post – did you try it in Internet Explorer as well?

[Ekinkah]

Hey Peter,

I think the issue is browser related. Just now I was able to successfully send through a request for iTac2 samples using Internet explorer – a second attempt in Mozilla Firefox showed the error message again. This would be useful info to pass on the techs =)

Ladies, try using Internet Explorer to request a sample! If you were using a browser other than the ones mentioned above, let Peter know so he can pass the info along to their techs if need be!

I'm excited =D Hopefully a powerful new grip will help me with those funny upside down moves everyone loves so much!

[Ekinkah]

I am trying to secure a sample from the iTac website (as I have no idea what level is best for me!) but each time I try via this link http://www.poledancegrip.com/contact.php , it comes up with an error with the php values and doesn't send through! Is anyone else having this issue? Peter, are you able to help, or is there another way to order iTac samples?

 

[Ekinkah]

I am also considering signing up, but have a question. Are the videos available for download, or do I have to stream them fresh every time I want to view them?