Relation Between Dancing and Foot Pain

Dancing is a great way to remain fit and active. But it also takes a toll on your body just like any other form of physical or sports activity. Dancing takes a tool on the feet of the dancers and can many times cause injury to the body.

There are numerous foot related ailments which can be caused by dancing. A few of them are the formation of blisters, bunions as well as corns. Many times the dancer's nails are also damaged and they get cracked. Cracks and bruised on the nails are the cause of great pain to the dancer and at times they also cause infection. These are only a few mild or minor maladies caused by dancing. But often dancers have to face lots of foot problems which can become fatal if they are not tended to in a proper manner on time.

In this article, we have compiled a list of some foot injuries which are serious and are mainly caused by foot pain caused due to dancing. The list is mentioned below:

Plantar Fasciitis: This condition is triggered when the planter tendon running from the toes to the heels through the foot arch is irritated and develops an inflammation. The most common reason for this is tight muscles. Another reason is the using the foot in an unconventional or unusual manner. The pain is unbearable during the morning hours. Over time the pain leads to heel spurs as well.

Dancer's Fracture: This is a condition which occurs when the dancer gets injured. This injury can be caused because of a wrong landing after a jump. Often accidentally the foot may get turned in due to the impact of the jump. This caused the outside of the foot to get injured. Dancer's fracture should never be neglected as it can cause a lot of pain and will lead to more damage if left unattended at the right time.

Sesamoiditis: Sesamoids are a pair of tiny bones below the big toe which support the supporting tendon. Over time excessive dance moves may lead to an inflammation in the tendons and this may lead to a condition called tendonitis. The pain progresses slowly and becomes more severe in case you flex your foot. This further leads to Sesamoiditis.

Hallux Valugus and Bunion Development: This ailment is not limited to dancers only. Almost any person can suffer from it. But the truth remains that dancers are more prone to it and that too at an earlier age than normal individuals. The main reason for this to occur in dancers is when they dance with a wrong posture and wrong body and foot alignment which are needed for the body to function in co ordination. Dancers are also prone to suffering from many bone deformities such as bunions. If you ignore the bunions then it will eventually become very painful and make you uncomfortable.

Although dancing and foot pain are related to each other, yet by taking proper measures you can keep the harmful impact minimum. One aspect which should never be ignored is the type of footwear worn. Many dance forms have special requirements. So before you spend on your footwear it would be a good idea to consult a proper professional. The size of the footwear is also important as footwear which does not fit properly will surely lead to the risk of injuries and will also make you uncomfortable.

Foot care should not be limited to only within the studio. You must take proper care of your feet at all times. Using arch supports, cushioned insoles, and heel cups will be useful in relieving the stress and the pressure caused to your foot as you move about in your life. Pamper your feet by means of foot and leg massages. These are very relaxing and will help to ease any pain you may be having. Stretch your body after regular intervals to reduce any discomfort.

It is better to visit a podiatrist regularly for a complete check up of your feet. This should be taken into action if you face any pain or discomfort. It is better to nip the problem in the bud itself. The podiatrist will also give you some useful advice and proper remedies to any foot disorder which will increase the risk of injury. The podiatrist will also inform you of the preventive measures which need to be taken in order to avoid foot pain related to dancing.