Comment by Joan Warburton on August 30, 2010 at 8:02pm

Wishing you a comfortable, pain free journey back. Take care of yourself.

Comment by Urbana Banana on August 30, 2010 at 8:30pm

Thanks, Joan! :)

Comment by Sunshine Geyser on September 1, 2010 at 6:51am

Geez. I can totally relate to your story. Here I was feeling sorry for MYself because I haven't been able to hoop in 5 days because something bad happenned to MY shoulder. I am not sure what exactly went wrong, but I woke up Sat morning with severe pain in my neck and shoulder area. I could not move my head at all without extreme pain. I don't know if it was from hooping or not, but the day before I had hooped for at least 90 minutes and practiced the bunny ear elbow pass repeatedly...you know how you sort of have to bend over and look up to see the hoop? Well maybe I tweaked something then. But I have been so miserable because I can't hoop, do yoga, or anything else. And the pain meds make me feel like a zombie. It is getting better slowly, however. so anyway, thanks for sharing your story. Gave me a total reality check and snapped me out of my "poor me" mentality. I wish you a speedy recovery. I am an artist also, so I know how awful it is not to be able to create and fulfill that NEED to create. It's like a compulsion. And when you can't satisfy it, well, mentally, things are not good. That's how it is for me, anyway.
So what exactly happened to your shoulders? You mentioned something different about your bone structure. Do you have scoliosis? I have a slight case but I am not sure if it is related to my current injury. However, back when I first started hooping, I went to a hoop workshop with Betty Hooops. She said she could see my misalignment and warned me I could do some serious damage if I didn't hoop the right way. I asked how I could change and she encouraged me to sign up for her weekend workshop to learn how. I didn't have the money or the time so I didn't, but what she said still haunts me. Anyway, I really hope you can get back to your creations soon. And I admire you for being able to look at the bright side! You've been through a lot. Take care. I'll be sending healing vibes your way.

Comment by Urbana Banana on September 1, 2010 at 9:32am

I've gotten neck pain before. It happens to me when I do the one shoulder trick too many times in a row and don't stretch first. If you're in any of SaFire's classes, I believe she demonstrates a good neck stretch. Also, doing any new move several times in the same practice session may cause injury. I'm no medical professional, but I can say that any time I overdo a move trying to get it just right, I end up with pain.

I'm so glad it's just been five days for you! I hope you get better fast. I wouldn't wish this on anyone. And yes, it's totally a compulsion to create. I re-injured myself in June, after almost feeling better, because I went on a creative binge. It was like a trance I couldn't get out of.

Scoliosis isn't causing the injury, but funny thing, I have that, too. A slight case, like you. I actually lost the piece of paper that tells me what's wrong, but I can tell you that one of the bones in my shoulder -- this is on both shoulders -- is shorter than it is in normal people. This means there isn't as much room for muscles to move around, and it causes what the PT people are calling an impingement. Exercises will "open things up" and get the muscles in better condition.

As for scoliosis and proper hooping form, have you read Caroleena's post on posture? That helped me a whole lot with my form and actually got me to put less pressure on my knees while hooping, too. She even posts a link to a video. Maybe that'll help.

Thanks for commenting! Sometimes I think there should be a "Healing Hoopers" community because it does help to know that other people understand.

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