Why You Should Wrap a Dancer’s Foot and How to Do it

(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Due to the nature of the movements and the countless hours of training spent on hard floors, a dancer’s foot is often vulnerable to many types of injuries. Sprains, blisters, bleeding and bruises are just a few of the pitfalls in a dancer’s life.

Dr. Tina Boucher is a foot specialist in Meriden, CT with a love for dance and a long list of dance patients who see her on a regular basis. Properly wrapping or taping your feet if you are a dancer is a way to prevent injury and care for your foot if it has suffered an injury. When it comes to wrapping and taping, here are some tips to keep in mind:

Prevent blisters - Cut some tape twice the width of the affected toe and wrap a portion of the tape back on itself to create a non-stick area. Place that area on the area prone to blistering and wrap the rest of the tape around the toe. If a blister has already formed, put a small piece of moleskin or a corn pad on the blister before taping. Lamb’s wool in the toe of your shoe can help cushion your toes as well.

After an injury - If a toe has been injured, wrap it together with a neighboring toe with gauze beside the toe and in between the two toes. If the ball of your foot is painful, put a long strip of athletic tape on the floor, sticky side up. Place the injured part of your foot on the center of the tape and flatten your foot. Lift the ends of the tape and overlap them on the top of your foot. From the top of your foot, cut the ends of the tape an inch down and fasten the tape down.

Wrapping and taping can be tricky. If you have foot pain from dancing, see Dr. Boucher for help. Make an appointment today by calling our podiatric office at (203) 238-3668 or visit us online www.centralctfootcare.com.

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How Could Flatfeet Affect Your Dancing?

English: Ben Ojeda, self-made (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Gliding, leaping, twirling and waltzing your way across the dance floor is not easy no matter what style you are attempting to do. Dance requires a lot of strength, stability and coordination and can be a really great workout. It can also take a toll on feet and ankles as they provide the foundation for each and every movement.

Like anything with a faulty foundation is at risk for being insecure, a faulty foot structure could pose a risk if you are a dancer. Dr. Tina Boucher, foot specialist in Meriden, CT treats dancers on a regular basis with their foot and ankle needs. A foot condition that can have an impact on dance is flat feet.

Flat feet are caused when the natural arch in the bottom of the foot does not exist. Some people are born with flat feet while others sustain an injury, which can cause the arch to collapse and flatten. Abnormalities in the foot can also lead to flat feet. The pointing, flexing and balance involved in many styles of dance require strong feet. If you have flat feet and dance on a regular basis, Dr. Boucher recommends exercises to strengthen the tendons in your feet. Picking up items with your toes and clench-release exercises are some examples.

Having flat feet often cause a problem with pronation, which is when your feet roll inward more severely than someone with a regular arch. Overpronation will require you to be careful how you step and land on your feet in order to avoid injury.

If having flat feet is interfering with your dancing or you are experiencing regular foot pain, there could be more going on. Don’t waste a minute of music! Contact our podiatric office today for help. Call us at (203) 238-3668 or visit us online www.centralctfootcare.com.

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