Pole Dancing Bruises: 5 Ways to Heal Faster

No pain no gain, that’s what we all hear – and couldn’t be farther from the truth with pole dancing! You see those uber-suave and gravity-defying pole dance professionals, but every single one of them suffered bruises before they got to where they are now.

And although these might be unsightly and a bit sore the first few times, they’re perfectly normal! So much so that some people are actually calling them pole kisses or pole trophies.

Still, you can make your bruises heal faster.  Here are five easy ways to help your pole bruises heal faster and disappear.

5 Ways to Faster Healing from Pole Dancing Bruises

Apply Some Ice

This is basic first aid for bruising and swelling. Apply an ice pack or a cold compress early on to minimize damage. Make sure that you have ice in your fridge so that in case you get a bump during pole training, you can quickly grab it from the freezer and apply it to the affected area.

This is how you apply this first-aid technique. When you get an injury, keep the bruised area elevated and relaxed. Apply the cold compress on the bruise in 15-minute intervals for the first couple of hours or until the swelling recedes. This will constrict the damaged blood vessels and reduce pain and swelling on the injury.

Arnica Gel

To help you heal naturally, you can try using Arnica Gel - it is an over-the-counter ointment from the natural Arnica Herb. This balm has anti-inflammatory properties that may help reduce pain, swelling, and bruises. These should be readily available from your neighborhood drug store or supermarket.

As soon as you get one, massage it gently on the affected area to help you heal immediately. I recommend applying it three times a day for maximum effect or as needed.

Aloe Vera

Another herb that helps reduce pain and inflammation is aloe vera. This succulent has thick and fleshy leaves whose gel has a cooling effect on the bruise and reduces swelling. Furthermore, its moisture content encourages the rapid repair of broken capillaries under the injured area.

If you have this plant at home, you can apply it the old fashioned way – break off a leaf and spread the gel directly to the injury. As soon as you use it, you will feel its cooling effect on the affected area – and as long there is pain and swelling, just apply a layer to help you heal.

However, you can also use aloe vera-based gels and ointments if you don’t have this plant at home. These are available at your local drug store and can be purchased without a prescription.

Vitamin C

If you find yourself easily bruising, you might be lacking vitamins in your diet. Vitamin C is more popularly known as an antioxidant. However, many people don’t know that its primary role is to help our cells produce protein for tissue growth and repair.

Consuming the recommended daily average in your diet will help reduce inflammation, lessen injuries’ healing time, and reduce bruises when you’re pole dancing. For a healthy diet, try to consume at least 75 to 100 mg of Vitamin C daily. These can be consumed through rich food like citrus fruits and vegetables and through supplements.

Vitamin K

This is another vitamin that can help with bruising. Although we typically consume this in our food, like dark leafy greens and broccoli, we can apply it directly to the injury as a Vitamin K cream.

Vitamin K helps our blood clot and help heal damaged capillaries. This action helps us recover faster from bumps and bruises.

Why Proper Pole Wear is Important to Minimize Pole Dancing Bruises

When you’re on the pole, you must wear the correct apparel for what you’re doing. Having loose clothing can cause you to slip and slide on the pole and generate bruises. If you’re wearing tight-fitting pole dancing clothes, then your chance of getting bruises decreases by a lot.

Sticky pole wear will also help you with grip and pressure. Specifically designed fabric for pole dancing means you don’t have to grip as hard to maintain friction on the pole. Having the correct pole wear will let you perform much better and help avoid injury.

Don’t be scared of pole dancing bruises. These are normal occurrences, especially for beginners. As you gain more experience, your body will tolerate more during pole training and lessen bruising. You will also begin to be more mindful of your movements and avoid accidental impacts on the pole.

You can be proud of these marks that you receive as you perfect your craft. They are signs that you’re working hard to be the best pole dancer you can be. And I’m pretty sure that even the most experienced dancers have these occasional bruises as well.

These five remedies will help you heal faster as you become better at pole dancing. You will need these remedies less and less in the long run as you and your body get used to the pole.