A Dancer’s Guide to Preventing Foot & Ankle Injuries

It’s a hard life for dancers’ feet. They bear the brunt of intense and grueling practices and performances, which makes injuries inevitable. But injuries don’t have to be part of the game. If you want your dance career to be free of any unwanted pains and injuries, the first thing you need to do is pay special attention to your feet both in and outside of the studio.

The podiatrists at Triad Foot & Ankle Center have a few tips to keep your dancers’ feet and ankles healthy all year round:

1. 1. Choose the proper type of shoes in and out of the studio. For both on and off the stage, be sure to choose shoes with arch support, a stable heel counter, and a wide toe box. You want your feet to be supported while nailing your routine and to recover and relax when you’re off the dance floor, and they need the proper support to do this.
2. Consider custom orthotics. Having proper shoe inserts that support your foot precisely where it needs support can not only help elevate your performance, it can prevent injuries and unnecessary wear and tear on your feet and ankles.
3. Exercise and stretch your feet and ankles. Stretching and strengthening exercises like a basic calf muscle stretch, resistance band exercises, and towel stretches can help strengthen your feet and prevent injuries.
4. Seek immediate medical attention when you experience pain or an injury. Like any other medical condition, early treatment is key. If you’re able to get ahead of a condition and stop it before it gets worse, you’ll be able to spend more time working on your routine instead of recovering from an injury.

If you have a foot or ankle injury and need an evaluation by one of our podiatrists, please call 336-375-6990 or click here to request an appointment.

Disclaimer: The information and other content provided in our blogs, videos, or in any other content or linked materials are not intended and should not be construed as medical advice, nor is the information a substitute for professional medical expertise or treatment. For a full disclaimer, please click here.