Common Foot Problems and How to Prevent Them

Ballet dancers put in hours and hours of training to make their movements look completely effortless. However, all dancers know that it requires practice, strength, and flexibility to master these movements, and even the best dancers have had experience with injuries. From broken nails and blisters to hammertoes and fractures, foot problems are very common among dancers. Keep reading this blog post to learn more about some of the most common injuries and causes of foot pain for dancers!

Blisters

Shoes that rub or that have not been fitted properly can cause blisters. While blisters may not seem serious, if a dancer is constantly getting blisters or they never seem to heal, those blisters can become infected and become an even bigger problem. A great way to avoid this is to get fitted for shoes by a professional.

Bunions

Bunions are bone deformities that can be difficult to prevent or fully cure. With this being said, there are options like exercises, better-fitting shoes, or pointe shoe accessories such as lamb’s wool, toe spacers, and toe tape that can keep bunions from getting worse. In severe cases, surgical intervention may be needed.

Plantar Fasciitis

This injury affects the sole and is usually caused by overuse. Tightness in the Achilles tendon or the calf muscle can increase the pain, as can dancing on hard surfaces. Physical therapies are often used to relieve this condition and luckily for our students at Alberta Ballet School, our dancers have access to on-site physiotherapy, and we encourage our students to make use of this service. While injury prevention is always key and at Alberta Ballet School proper technique is always taught to our students, a professional can help plan a proper road to recovery every step of the way to ensure you return to dancing quickly and safely.

A few tips for preventing injuries include:

Tip #1 – Choose the Right Footwear

It is important to ensure that as a ballet dancer, you have the proper footwear to prevent injuries.

Tip #2 – Know Your Limits

Ensure you are moving safely and only perform once you have the confidence to execute them properly.

Tip #3 – Rest When You Need

It is also possible that too much training and too intense training can lead to injuries. At Alberta Ballet School, we ensure that our students have adequate breaks to promote recovery and keep an appropriate work: rest ratio.

Dancing through foot pain is common among dancers since many don’t feel like they can take time off to rest and heal. Dancing takes a toll on the body, and the feet often take most of the stress. Some foot injuries and problems can cause lifelong issues, so it’s best to take measures to prevent injuries before they happen!

For more information about our dance classes in Calgary and dance studios in Edmonton, please call the Alberta Ballet School at 403-245-2274 ext. 722 or fill out our online contact form, and we will be happy to assist you!