Plantar Fibromas and Ballet Dancers

(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Feet are a dancer’s foundation. To glide around the floor, jump, leap and land, feet are needed to execute even the smallest movement. Unfortunately, due to the stress and strain put on feet during dance, injuries are common.

Dr. Tina Boucher, foot specialist in Meriden, CT treats ballet dancers specifically on a regular basis. The types of movement required in ballet take a tremendous amount of strength and training and when you add in wearing pointe shoes, dancers are prone to foot pain.

A common ballet injury is plantar fibromas. On the bottom of your foot runs a thick band of tissue called the plantar fascia. Plantar fibromas grow deep inside the bottom of your foot on the plantar fascia. They are benign tissue growths or tumors that can cause significant pain and pressure on other parts of the foot. These growths can also cause secondary foot problems to develop.

Certain movements, injury or overuse can cause a plantar fibroma to develop. They typically start out small but often get larger and more painful over time. Unfortunately, a plantar fibroma will not go away on its own. Relieving pressure on the arch of your foot is the first step in treating a plantar fibroma. Custom orthotics and cortisone injections can often provide relief but there are cases when surgical intervention is the only way to full treat the problem.

Surgery can often lead to further complications so Dr. Boucher is proud to be able to offer another form of treatment called cryosurgery. This is a short procedure, with little to no pain that gets you back to wearing shoes and on your feet within 48 hours. For more information about cryosurgery or treatment for a plantar fibroma or other dance injury, please contact our podiatric office for help. You can request an appointment by calling (203) 238-3668 or online at www.centralctfootcare.com.

Related articles

• Plantar Fasciitis
• Preventing Injuries in Dance
• Coming Back From a Dancing Injury

Coming Back From a Dancing Injury

(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Just like fingers and the wrist are crucial to the performance of a concert violinist, feet and ankles are the foundation for a dancer’s body. When injury strikes, the music stops and the show and possibly a career can be over.

How can I bounce back from a dance injury?

With the stress put on feet and ankles during dance, it may be inevitable to avoid some type of injury. Dr. Tina Boucher is a foot specialist in Meriden, CT that treats dancers and athletes on a regular basis. Ankle sprains, knee pain, hip inflammation and back strain are common dance injuries. When an injury does occur, it will be quick action in regards to treatment and rehabilitation that will ensure you can quickly get back on your feet.

If you have sustained a foot or ankle injury during dance that doesn’t require emergency help, observe proper home treatment until you can see a podiatrist. First apply the RICE method of rest, ice, compression and elevation. Stay off your feet and wrap a bandage around the injured area. Make an appointment with Dr. Boucher who can accurately assess the severity of your injury. This is important to ensure you are getting the right treatment. Whether it is through physical therapy, strengthening exercises or custom orthotics to help stabilize your feet, Dr. Boucher will provide treatment tailored to your needs.

The right treatment and rehabilitation are the essentials to coming back from a dancing injury. Dr. Boucher and her friendly staff at Central Connecticut Footcare Center are here to help. Call us today (203) 238-3668 with any questions or to schedule an appointment. Visit us online at www.centralctfootcare.com.

Related articles

• Aerobic Dance Injuries
• Feet on Fire
• Preventing Injuries in Dance

Aerobic Dance Injuries

(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Aerobic dance made a huge leap onto the health scene in the 1980s and has remained a popular choice until today. With its mix of aerobic exercise and popular dance moves, it is a great way to stay fit for anyone at any age. A typical class offers the opportunity for you to reduce stress, strengthen your heart and lungs, lower your cholesterol and improve circulation.

As a foot specialist who regularly treats dancers and sports enthusiasts, Dr. Tina Boucher knows well the dangers that can lurk in an aerobic dance studio. Many of the classes offered today can be more high impact in nature with jumping, landing and side-to-side movements. First off, poor footwear will highly increase your chance of injury. The impact in aerobics can be up to six times the force of gravity so your feet and ankles will need proper cushioning and support to deal with the demands in the class.

Injuries of the feet, ankles, knees, hips and lower back are common in aerobics. The key to preventing injuries is going to start with choosing a class that fits your fitness level. Overusing untrained muscles is a recipe for disaster. Start at a low-impact level and work your way up. Make sure you have a well-trained and informed instructor who can ensure you are having the correct form as well when performing the movements. Take the time your body needs to properly stretch and cool down as well.

Has the moving and shaking in aerobics led to an injury for you? If you have any foot pain during or after a class, please come in and see us. Dr. Boucher can diagnose the cause, get the right treatment started so you don’t miss a beat! Make an appointment at our podiatric office by calling (203) 238-3668 or visit us at www.centralctfootcare.com.

Related articles

• Preventing Injuries in Dance
• Aerobic Benefits and History
• Benefits to Getting Children in Ballet

Preventing Injuries in Dance

(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

“You’ve gotta dance like nobody’s watching, love like you’ll never be hurt, sing like nobody’s listening and live like it’s heaven on earth.” –William W. Purkey

If you are a dedicated dancer, you might not feel like it is heaven on earth if you are dancing with foot pain. Dr. Tina Boucher, foot specialist in Meriden, CT experiences first hand the risks in dance as she treats dance patients on a regular basis. Preventing will avoid lamenting when it comes to keeping feet safe and healthy.

Dancing can take a toll on your entire body and feet often take the brunt of the stress. If you are out of shape and your feet are not accustomed to the demands, injury can be lurking around the corner. Some of the common injuries Dr. Tina treats include:

• Sprained ankles

• Strained muscles

• Blisters

• Heel and arch pain

Muscles that are tight are more prone to injury. Take the time to properly stretch and condition leg and foot muscles. Bring a small tennis ball with you and glide your foot over it to stretch out your arch. Most styles of dance are filled with spins, turns, jumping and landing. It is important to be very aware of how you are performing movements. Stay within your ability level and ensure that you are using the correct technique. Landing improperly not only puts your feet and ankles at risk but your knees, hips and back as well.

Footwear also plays another important role in preventing injuries. Make sure you are fitted with appropriate, properly fitting shoes. If you are required to wear heels, choose a pair with low heels that comfortably fit feet and toes. Practicing and performing long term in poor shoes is just inviting foot pain.

If you are a dancer in need of treatment for foot or ankle pain, we can help! Dr. Boucher is highly experienced helping dancers get back on their feet. Contact us today (203) 238-3668 or visit www.centralctfootcare.com for more information.

Related articles

• Tap Dancing - Protect Your Feet and Ankles
• How to Strengthen Your Ankles
• Running Injury Prevention Tips

Tap Dancing – Protect Your Feet and Ankles

(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Do you love to dance? Tap dancing is one style that is not only a ton of fun and highly entertaining but is also a great workout! It incorporates the muscles from your head to your toes and takes a lot of stamina and endurance. Depending on the intensity of the movement, a tap dancer could burn up to 315 calories in an hour of dancing.

What about feet and ankles during tap dancing?

It goes without saying that the most important tool you have in tap dancing is your feet. Like many other activities and sports, protecting your body is key to prevent injury. Feet and ankles can take a beating with the stresses of tap dancing and protecting them will ensure you don’t miss a beat.

Don’t skip the warm up. Stretching and warm up are very important. Focus on your leg muscles like you would before a run and warm up and loosen your ankle muscles. Rotate your foot in circles and flex back and forth.

Wear the right shoes. Tap shoes should fit snugly while not being too tight. If your feet are slipping around you will increase the risk of your ankle rolling or twisting. Try to avoid going barefoot as well as sweaty feet can lead to fungal infections.

Stay focused at your level. Trying movements that are beyond your capability will increase your risk for injury. Work your way up with practice and make sure you are performing combinations technically correct.

Dr. Tina Boucher, foot and ankle specialist in Meriden, CT treats all ages of dancers on a regular basis. If you are a dancer with any concerns about your foot health or have an injury that needs treatment, don’t hesitate to call our podiatric office today. Make an appointment by calling (203) 238-3668 or visit us at www.centralctfootcare.com.

Related articles

• The Best Exercises for Ballet Dancers
• How to Strengthen Your Ankles
• Why Everyone Should Try Ice Skating

Benefits to Getting Children in Ballet

(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

It is important to encourage your children to be active. Regular exercise helps children stay physically fit, sleep better and handle the stresses life throws at them. Kids who are active have stronger bones and muscles, are less likely to become overweight and keep blood pressure and cholesterol levels under control.

Dr. Tina Boucher, foot specialist in Meriden, CT encourages her patients of all ages to stay active and for children, ballet is a great option. Research has shown that a 90 lb child can burn 200 calories in a dance class.

For children who may want to avoid some of the more the more intense or high impact sports such as football or soccer, ballet is an excellent option. This style of dance requires the use of the muscles in the entire body and helps improve stamina, strength and flexibility. Aside from being a great cardiovascular workout, ballet helps to improve posture and coordination as well.

There are some more hidden benefits as well when it comes to the benefits of children being in ballet. Having to remember routines helps build memory skills and the training required instills discipline. It is a social activity, which can build confidence as children improve over time and make new friendships. In ballet, children are also exposed to various styles of music, art and performance.

Dance can put extra stress on feet and ankles so if your child is involved in dance, have their foot health assessed by Dr. Boucher. Prevention is key and she can identify any potential problem areas. Make an appointment by calling our office at (203) 238-3668 or visit us at www.centralctfootcare.com.

Related articles

• The Best Exercises for Ballet Dancers
• Line Dancing for the Country at Heart
• Staying Fit in Winter - Dangers in the Gym

Can Martial Arts Help Your Dancing?

(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

For dancers, it is important to continually be improving strength, endurance and flexibility. If you are a dancer, taking a martial arts class can help your body and your dancing as some of the movements in martial arts mirror dance.

There is much in dancing that has to do with the correct alignment and control of your body. The same is true with the movements performed in martial arts. In both activities, you have to be very aware of the positions of your body and perform controlled movements. They complement each other and taking a martial arts class can improve your focus in these areas.

Balance is a very important part of martial arts with the poses and movements that are performed. It is also an essential element of dance as dancers often on one leg, landing on one or both feet and spinning and turning etc. Balance is very important in partner work as well to be able to support and guide a partner properly and securely throughout a dance. The balance skills worked on in martial arts would definitely cross over into dance as well.

Tai Chi is a form of martial arts that can also be beneficial for a dancer. Its slow movements that strengthen and stretch muscles and joints are safe and would be beneficial for a dancer to practice.

Some martial arts can be intense and stressful on the body, so it is important for a dancer to choose classes that truly complement their dance style and that are safe for his or her body and feet. If you have any questions about foot safety or sustain an injury in a dance or martial arts class, do not hesitate to seek treatment. Call Dr. Tina Boucher, foot specialist in Meriden. CT at (203) 238-3668 or visit us at www.centralctfootcare.com.

Related articles

• Martial Arts Inspires Folks Around the Valley
• The Art of Body Movement
• Martial Trek