If you’ve ever seen ballet or you’re a ballet dancer yourself, you’ll know how graceful dancers’ movements can be. But, of course, becoming a professional ballet dancer takes a LOT of hard work and dedication. In addition to practicing many hours every day, dancers also need to take care of their feet. because they are essential tools for performing their art. Foot training for dancers begins on the first day of class and continues throughout their dance career.
The effects of ballet on dancers’ feet
The human foot is a complex structure made up of 26 bones, 33 joints, muscles, tendons, and ligaments. This intricate design allows the foot to support the body’s weight and absorb shock when we walk or run. When we put our feet through repetitive motions, such as those required in ballet, we can put stress on these structures and cause injuries.
Dancers are especially susceptible to foot injuries because practice with such frequency. On top of this, baller dancers typically wear shoes that provide limited support and cushioning. Pointe shoes, for example, are designed to allow dancers to dance on their toes but offer little protection from the impact of landing from jumps and other movements. As a result, ballet dancers often suffer from injuries to the bones and joints of their feet.
Despite these risks, ballet can be a healthy activity for your feet if you take some precautions:
- First, it’s important to choose the right ballet shoes. Make sure that you are fitted by a professional ballet shoe fitter even for soft ballet shoes. The wrong fit (too large or too tight) can affect your technique and cause injury.
- You can also ask your dance instructor for recommendations. As you become more experienced, may need to get pointe shoes. But be sure to buy them from a reputable store with a professional pointe shoe fitter and break them in slowly to avoid injury.
- It’s really important to warm up before dancing and stretch afterwards. This will help reduce your risk of injury.
If you start experiencing pain in your feet, be sure to speak to your dance teacher and see a doctor right away.
Is ballet harmful for your feet?
While it’s true that ballet dancers often suffer from foot injuries, these injuries are usually due to overuse or poorly fitted shoes. With the right precautions, you can avoid these injuries and enjoy a healthy career in ballet. Dancers who take care of their feet and warm up properly are less likely to experience injuries.
The intense physical activity in ballet puts a lot of stress on dancers’ feet and legs. As a result, they can get injured. These are some common injuries:
- Achilles tendonitis: an inflammation of the Achilles tendon, which is the large tendon that connects the calf muscle to the heel bone.
- Shin splints: pain in the lower leg, usually along the shinbone, as a result of overusing your lower leg muscles.
- Stress fractures: tiny cracks in the bones that can occur from overuse or repetitive impact.
- Plantar fasciitis: inflammation of the plantar fascia, which is a thick band of tissue that runs across the bottom of the foot. Typically, this causes pain and swelling at the base of the heel and the arch of the foot.
- Neuromas: the partial or complete disruption of a nerve can be caused by over-stretching. You may feel a burning or tingling sensation as well as numbness and spasms.
- Ankle sprains: these occur when the ligaments that support the ankle are stretched or torn.
- Blisters and bunions are also common among dancers. Like all injuries, they should be given proper attention because they can turn into something more serious if untreated.
Prevention is better than cure and the best way to avoid foot problems is to take proper care of your feet. This means wearing the right shoes, warming up, strengthening and stretching your feet regularly, and keeping your feet clean and dry. It’s also important to see a podiatrist on a regular basis so that any problems can be caught early and treated quickly.
Remember! If you experience any pain or discomfort in your feet or legs, it’s important to see a doctor right away. These problems can often be resolved with simple treatments but if they’re ignored, they can lead to more serious injuries.
What pointe shoes are best to protect your feet?
The best way to protect your feet while dancing is to choose the right shoes. All ballet dancers need well-fitting flat ballet shoes and many will require pointe shoes as well. There are many different types of pointe shoes on the market and it’s important to find a pair that fits correctly and provides the right support for your feet. It is essential to have ballet shoes fitted by a professional fitter, especially when buying pointe shoes. Your fitter will take into consideration your foot shape, your experience level and any special requirements you may have. You may need to try several different pairs before they find the perfect brand and style for your feet. Your fitter will also recommend appropriate protection for your feet such as toe pads, toe spacers, additional elastics, etc.
Pointe shoes need to be “broken in” before you wear them for a performance. Your fitter or dance teacher can show you how to break in your shoes. Take note that while many shoes require the back or shank to be softened, some newer brands have carbon fibre shanks that should not be “broken in” or softened. The process of getting your shoes performance-ready can take several weeks and it’s important to do it gradually so that you don’t injure your feet. Once your shoes are broken in, they should be comfortable and provide support while you’re dancing.
To protect against the strains of “ballet feet” or “ballerina feet” and choose the right pair of shoes for ballet, you should read the list of the best pointe shoes here. You’ll find a detailed guide on choosing the right pointe shoes for you.
How foot type of foot affects your dance/ballet career
The type of foot a dancer has can affect their career in several ways:
- Dancers with high arches may be more susceptible to injuries.
- Dancers with flat feet may have trouble with pointe work.
- Dancers with wide feet may have difficulty finding shoes that fit well.
It’s important to consult your dance teacher or coach to determine what type of feet you have and how to keep them strong and healthy. They can also help you find the right shoes and make sure you’re performing ballet exercises correctly.
While the type of foot a dancer has can affect their career, it’s important to remember that everyone is different. Some dancers with high arches will never experience an injury and some dancers with flat feet will excel at pointe work. Ultimately, it’s up to the individual dancer to find what works best for them.
Enjoy dancing and look after your ballet feet
Now that you know more about how ballet affects your feet, you can take steps to protect them. Dance is a beautiful art form that can be enjoyed by people of all ages and abilities. While there are some risks associated with ballet, these can be minimized by taking proper precautions. With the right shoes and regular exercise, you can enjoy dancing. If you experience any pain or problems with your feet, be sure to consult a doctor so that you can continue dancing for years to come.
Related articles to ballerina and ballet:
This article was originally published by dancesbibles admin. Almiria Wilhelm contributed to this article.
- About the Author
- Latest Posts
Almiria Wilhelm is a ballet teacher with twenty years’ experience training dancers of all ages to become professional. She started dancing at the age of five and in addition to ballet, she also trained in flamenco, Argentine tango, ballroom, latin, salsa and more styles. Almiria speaks several languages and also works as a translator (because it’s tough to pay the bills with dance). She has lived on 3 different continents and visited upwards of 30 countries.