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

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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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