Feet problems

[Graham]

I've been dancing for 5 years now (kilted every time), and I'm having problems with pain in the feet (along the top to the big toe).

I guess dancing is the problem but I don't want to stop, nor do I like taking pain killers of any kind.

Anyone else had problems like this?

[Sionnach]

Not had problems myself, but see them in people who do- as a physical therapist. My little bit of advice would be to check in with a physiotherapist out your way- all the better if they are McKenzie or Mulligan trained. All the best- may your suffering be shortlived.

[McMurdo]

I've been dancing for a bit over a year and since the beginning I've had a pain in the arch of my left foot, so far I've just tried to deal with the pain, hoping it will get better in time, in short I do not have any advice for you, just wanted you to know I know what you're going through.

[Sionnach]

I just checked the McKenzie Institute to see if they had anyone listed in Tasmania, no such luck, but that only means there is no one registered with the institute, there may be practitioners. The McKenzie Method has a pretty large presence in that area of the world- Robin McKenzie is himself from New Zealand. I hope this helps in a small way.

[george7]

I had the same problem. I had to quit dancing and running for while. After a few months I picked back up on running. I still compete in 15k's, just needed some time off from abusing my feet... about 3 months for me. Oh, and I got really picky about shoes.

[Daibhidh O'Baoighill]

If you have pain in your arches, I would suggest stretching them before and after dancing. You can do this by pulling back your toes. Remember, don't bounce when you stretch, just a steady stretch. You can also massage your arches with your fingers or uses golf balls. Icing for 10 to 15 minutes also helps. For an ice massage, put dixie cups in the freezer and tear off the paper as the ice melts (5-10 minutes).

[Mipi]

If you have pain in your arches, I would suggest stretching them before and after dancing. You can do this by pulling back your toes. Remember, don't bounce when you stretch, just a steady stretch. You can also massage your arches with your fingers or uses golf balls. Icing for 10 to 15 minutes also helps. For an ice massage, put dixie cups in the freezer and tear off the paper as the ice melts (5-10 minutes).

Don't have any experience on this issue, but yes warming up and streching is MUST for any physical activity.

[Mr. Kilt]

This may sound a bit far-fetched, but it's worth a try. I had serious pain in my feet 5 years ago and someone suggested magnetic insoles for my shoes. I laughed at the idea, but tried it. It worked far better than I thought possible.

It might be worth looking into for your problem. A medical supply shop should be able to get the insoles for you. They run approx. $75/pair here in Canada, but are well worth the money.

[george7]

$75 Canadian... that's about $74.95 USD right?

[auld argonian]

Whether or not you like "painkillers", one of the most important things that you can do is try to control inflammation. Once something gets aggravated, a cycle of inflammation starts and should be brought under control. When this happens to me (right hip) I up my intake of fish oil caps to five or six a day, start sucking down more green tea and, much as I hate having to do it, start taking ibuprofens until I know that it's subdued. I remember reading an article in Time Magazine that pointed the inflammation thing out and it made a lot of sense. One of the more pleasant things that the article suggested was to eat salmon as it seems to have those anti-inflammatory compounds in abundance.

Sometimes it's just the shoes and either changing them or getting some new basic insoles with some support and shock absorption can work wonders.

Good luck with it...hate to see you not enjoying the dancing because of something so small but annoying.

Best

AA