Fingers Stiff & Hurt Now That I'm Pole Dancing

adamseve started this discussion · 6/3/2009

I've been pole dancing for almost 4 months and my fingers are very stiff and hurt every morning now. 😢 I thought I was just gripping the pole too tightly, but I don't think that's the case any longer. I believe I have repetitive stress injury. I'm going to see the doctor about it later this week to be sure. Has anyone else had this problem? If so, what was the diagnosis? What did you do to get rid of it or did it go away?

20 replies

Former member · 6/3/2009
oh dear, im sorry honey, i haven't had that problem. do you crack your knuckles??? is that a myth that if you crack your knuckles its bad for you? i hope you're alright!
Foxy_Rei · 6/3/2009
My fingers used to hurt, but it went away... never went to see a doctor about it so I couldn't tell you. Seeing the doctor may be a good idea... Sascha, as far as cracking knuckles (or any other joints) goes: the "cracking" is releasing air and gas that builds up inside the joints. That itself isn't bad for you. What's bad is the hyper-extending of the joints that people do to get the joint to crack. It does damage to the ligaments and tendons and such. I'm a chronic back and knuckle cracker. I try not to do it because I have to twist really far to get my back to crack, and/or bend backwards while pushing my fists up into the middle of my back (yes I can do that... not as easy as it sounds lol). I used to crack my knuckles to help "limber" them up to play my clarinet back when it was my major in college. Over the years I've learned just to bend my back or knuckles just a little bit, and if they don't crack right away, I leave them alone. Takes a lot of willpower, though 😜 So adamseve, I dunno if that's something you do or if that could contribute to the problem or not. Is it the joints in the fingers itself hurting, or the knuckles???
Veena · 6/3/2009
Adamseve, how often do you pole dance? Does it hurt only in the morning after pole dance or just every single morning? Or are they painful and stiff all day? If your worried about something,its always best to go see your DR. It is a very common complaint of pole dancers, when I first started pole dancing, my fingers hurt so bad I couldn't grip a steering wheel!! Be sure your stretching your fingers, hands, and wrists after pole dancing that can help. If I take a week off and then start up again, my fingers along with the rest of my body will be sore and stiff too. I don't know what your dancing/work out schedule looks like but, it might just be a matter of cutting back on some of the spin and invert work. 🌸
Rouge_LAmour · 6/4/2009
the gas is nitrous. yes, laughing gas. but not in any level for anyone to gt excited about. 😂 Jamilla has a couple of good exercises for warming up the hands and wrists interlace your fingers and rotate the knuckles forward, hand over hand. taking one hand to the top, then the other. it seems to work out loads of stuff and really warms up the hand. de-interlace and swap the fingers so the other little finger is at the outside, repeat. hope this helps! go see your Dr too, it sounds like you need some exercises and to take grip down time. don't take the Dr lollies if some exercises will do the trick, your Dr doesn't really need that trip to Fiji - anyway there's probably another coup due there soon. 😉
edotsey · 3/6/2012
Did you ever go to the doc about this? I wake up every morning, feeling like my middle and ring finger joints (mostly the middle ones) are jammed. Ice helps, and it eases throughout the day, but it doesn't go away, so I decided to take a week off of the pole. Today's the third day and they are feeling better. I'm doing light workouts, but I just feel I need to let them heal before they'll get better. I've been going hard for just over two months - I'm new, but I'm addicted :) If u have any other recommendations, I'd love to hear it!
Dancing Paws · 3/6/2012
You mioght try some gri[p strength exercises. You are probably death gripping and irritating your joints. I had that happen when I first started silks. If you have good grip strength, that should stop.
edotsey · 3/6/2012
Sensual - Thanks for that info; do you have any suggestions? I bought a rubber ball to massage my hands with, that has little bumps all on it, and that helps! As a side note, your pup on the left looks a lot like my pup... Very cute :)
Dancing Paws · 3/6/2012
I got these based on the recommendation of a fellow Veener. They seem to be helping. http://www.amazon.com/Gripmaster-Exerciser-Tension-5-Pounds-Finger/dp/B0006GBDZY/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1331059336&sr=8-3 http://www.amazon.com/Gripmaster-Exerciser-Medium-Tension-7-Pounds/dp/B0006GC5D8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1331059367&sr=8-1 I just ordered a powerball and am waiting for it to arrive. It is also highly recommended by Veeners to increase grip, wrist, and forearm strength. There are two companies that make them. We had a discussion about them recently: https://www.studioveena.com/forums/view/which_powerball_20120227093346
Dancing Paws · 3/6/2012
We aren't sure what my pup is. We think he's a ridgeback/ jack russell mix. Weird, but it fits his look and personality. He can jump 6 feet straight up in the air, and does it all the time (for no reason.) You say hi to him and he jumps. You go get a treat and he jumps. He has little terrier ears too, but he has all the marking of a ridgeback (plus he's super loyal, kinda simple minded though.) What kind is your woofie?
edotsey · 3/6/2012
Thanks for that info!! I'll have to start improving my grip - I don't like taking time off like this... I don't know for sure what she is, but I'm pretty sure there is some German Shepard and maybe Pit? She's so pretty, and loving :) Mutts are the best!
edotsey · 3/6/2012
Thanks for that info!! I'll have to start improving my grip - I don't like taking time off like this... I don't know for sure what she is, but I'm pretty sure there is some German Shepard and maybe Pit? She's so pretty, and loving :) Mutts are the best!
Tali Kat · 3/6/2012
Would it be worth trying a skinnier pole? My pole instructor used to use 50mm but she hurt her wrists too much and now she is down to 38mm and loves it. Dunno if it would help you or not, seeing as it's your fingers not your wrists, but a skinner pole may mean less pressure on them?
Dancing Paws · 3/6/2012
I do think a smaller pole would take pressure off your fingers. On the larger diameter your fingers will be gripping in a different way (or so I've felt with me) in order stay on since they don't fully wrap around and therefore are a little less stable. I don't feel I grip as hard on my 45 than the 50. Even if you go with a smaller diameter, you should still do hand strengthening exercises.
PaulettePoles · 3/7/2012
How are your fingers? Im sure its nothing serious w you but I just wanted to share what happenned to me. I would wake up every AM w sore fingers too. THey fel;t fat and weird to bend. It really hurt too. I ended up going to the DR and found out I had lupus! :( It was a flare that was causing the pain.
edotsey · 3/7/2012
Tali - I use both; I seem to have an easier time with the 45 when I'm doing spins, and when I'm inverting, the 50 is easier. Generally, though, I like the 45. Our studio did get a 38, but I think the 45 is better for me. Paulette - I'm very sorry to hear that! I guess, looking on the bright side, it's good you were able to be diagnosed. There is a definite link for me between classes and sore knuckles, and this little break has helped already, but I will keep that in mind! Thanks everyone!
FeeDen · 3/7/2012
I used to get sore and stiff fingers when I used a 50mm pole, especially when I woke up in the morning. I have smallish hands so I swapped to a 45mm, and now I hardly ever have any problems, I did stop doing so many spins and concentrated on other moves, with the odd spin here and there.
edotsey · 3/7/2012
Fee - that makes sense. I'm hoping to be doing that soon, too! Do you guys ever just take a small break to rest your "bones"? If so, what's your usual result!
Queen Tae · 1/4/2013
I suffer from the same thing. My fingers usually hurt in the morning after poling. And I usually can't wear my ring for about a week ( if I take off that long) I just switched it to another hand for now. But I need to increase my grip strength as well and hopefully the finger soreness will go away
luvlee · 1/4/2013
I get that after polin in the morning but I have arthritis in my fingers. It goes away after I get moving but you may wanna get checked out to see what it is just so ou know.
CapFeb · 1/4/2013
Some grips make my fingers hurt, and it usually has to do with relying too much on the wrist and the fingers/forearms/elbows try to take the stress and it can make your fingers hurt. So try forearm and wrists exercizes.