The Best Shoes For Dancing - Go For Look And Function!

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Does it really matter what kind of shoes you wear to dance? Contestants are waltzing on Dancing with the Stars wearing high heels, is this practical? Dancing is a fun way to release energy and get some exercise. However, you need to be cautious when deciding what shoes to wear. You don’t want your fun to end with a foot or ankle injury.

Injuries can happen at a moment’s notice on the dance floor. They include sprains, ruptured tendons, pulled muscles and injuries from repetition. All of these will require time off your feet and treatment from your foot and ankle specialist, Dr. Tina Boucher. 

Dr. Boucher enjoys treating your injuries, but complications from them are not fun. To help you look and feel your best, she has three recommendations for you to consider before hitting the dance floor. 

• Dance Style - Some shoes are better for dancing. Do a little research before your purchases. Did you know that you can buy shoes for ballet, tap and jazz? Check out dance stores in the area and try on shoes before you purchase.   

• Sole Support - You want shoes that are going to provide support. Test the shoe and make sure it doesn’t bend at the sole. Wearing a shoe with a flimsy sole can cause your toes to hurt. You also want to make sure the sole grips the floor. How horrible if you were hurt because of a slippery sole!

• Heel Support – For men, high top shoes will offer better support than low top shoes. For women, heels over two inches are not a good idea. Your heel also needs to fit snugly.   

Do you have footwear suggestions? What shoes do you wear while dancing? Have any good or bad dancing footwear experiences? Comment below with your footwear suggestions or stories, we would love to hear about them. However, if you would like to schedule an appointment with Dr. Boucher to talk about footwear selection, please call our office at (203) 238-3668 or visit our website at www.centralctfootcare.com.

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May I have this dance?

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The popularity of Zumba and Salsa among the aging population proves that you are never too old to start to dance. People who have never before participated in group dance are venturing into the unknown, learning and loving it.

Get your cha cha on!

The rhythms are intriguing. The beat just sort of absorbs you, and whether you are familiar with Latin dance or not, you are drawn in and before you know it, you are moving to the music. There are numerous pluses to be enjoyed by people who participate in dance. For the elderly, there are so many recognized improvements that can positively impact on your life.

Salsa for elderly is increasing in popularity and has people experiencing not only the easily recognized benefits of weight loss, strength, flexibility and overall level of fitness, but also hidden social benefits. Not only is dance itself social, but it improves your sense of community, group participation, motivation and confidence.

If you are going to take to the dance floor to show off your best moves, remember a few tips to preserve good foot health so you can safely enjoy yourself.

• Wear appropriate shoes that are comfortable and fit well.

• Keep heels to no more than 2 inches, making sure you don’t step off of or out of your shoes. This could cause potential ankle injury.

• If possible, find a class that dances on a wooden floor. It is more forgiving than concrete, tile or linoleum over concrete. The proper dance surface can help prevent injuries and lengthy recovery times.

• Start slow, warm up and oxygenate your muscles.

• Know your body’s center. From there you can move all directions and maintain balance.

If you have unresolved foot or ankle pain, talk to Dr. Boucher about it. Contact her at (203) 238-3668. Once you get the all clear signal, sign up for a dance class. Dr. Boucher will explain to you that you don’t have to be young to enjoy dance, just young at heart.

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The World of Dance is Like a Candy Store

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Sample different varieties…
If you looked at the world of dance and considered all of the goodies, you would see that certain varieties appeal to you more than others. It may be necessary for you to do a sampling of everything before you decide on what is perfectly suited. But once you do, you will stay with that selection for a very long time.
 
Twixt and tween…
There are many types of dance, and some have their basis in another type. Ballet, for instance, has been around for hundreds of years, and is the foundation for many other types of dance. Before making a decision as to what type of dance, look at why you want to dance in the first place. What do you aspire to, or do you simply want to dance for fun and exercise? Often, the answers to these questions will clue you to the type of dance that is right for you. So many possibilities:

• Ballet
• Jazz
• Tap
• Ball room
• Irish dance
• Line dance
• Hip-hop
• Clogging

Bend and stretch and reach…You should also consider the physical demands of the dance form that appeals to you. If you are not up to the rigors, perhaps there is a modified or lesser form of that genre that you would be more suitable. If you are determined, begin a conditioning program that allows you to gain strength and flexibility slowly so that you safeguard your physical well-being.

Regardless of what interests you, if you are a beginner, start slow. Give your body a chance to respond to conditioning and protect your feet with shoes that are appropriate. Dr. Boucher has a background in dance and has the knowledge to guide you in the right direction while protecting your health and keeping your feet and ankles pain free. Call her at (203) 238-3668 and let her treat your feet.

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