Treating Tiny Dancer’s Little Feet

Posted On: January 30, 2020

I have had the good fortune of working with a number of dancers from the North Shore School of Dance. Many of the injuries I have seen are to their feet. Young dancers from ages nine to thirteen are vulnerable to injuries. In many of these children they are starting to take dance more seriously and end up going to a lot more lessons. Not only are their more lessons the lessons become more challenging.

Injuries I have treated in this group include plantar-fascitis, metatarsal stress fractures, Achille’s tendinitis, sesmoiditis and posterior tibial tendinitis. All of the dancers I have seen recently have one thing in common and that is feet that over pronate.

A lot of physicians simply manage overpronation and the problems that arise from it with orthotics and supportive shoes. This does not work in a ballet slipper. The solution is to train the dancer to maintain the arch snugged up in a position called a short foot. This position is held when the dancer is in first position and then progressed to passe´ in first position. The dancer is trained to hold this position for 30 seconds to a minute. The dancer is then trained to maintain the arch while on a wobble board or foam cushion. This along with strengthening a dancers hip abductors, stretching the hip flexors and calfs goes a long way in helping manage many of their problems with their feet.

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North Shore, Dr. J and the staff were great. I started out with a pinched cervical nerve which was causing extreme pain and numbness in my arm. Surgery had been ruled out by the neurosurgeon after an MRI. My physical recommended a regimen of physical therapy which I undertook with NorthShore in November. At that time I had consistent pain in the range of 8-9 out of 10. I had trouble sleeping, driving and performing most normal daily activities due to the constant pain. I have now been through two series of physical therapy sessions with North Shore over a couple of months and the pain and numbness are completely gone. Based on my experience I would highly recommend North Shore for physical therapy treatment and the staff is extremely friendly and helpful as a bonus! Jon Heintzelman

Jonathan Heintzelman

All aspects of the rehab program were done with professionalism. Intake evaluation, exercise program, massage therapy and exit evaluation were all excellent and yielded excellent results for me. All of the staff are friendly and efficient. Dr. Johnson, Jeannette, Cyprian and Mary are friendly and make an otherwise difficult experience much more tolerable. I have gone to them on two occasions over the last several years for different injuries and, in both instances, my problems were resolved. I highly recommend them.

Lee Eddy

I was a patient 6 years ago, with lower back pain and herniation. My PT was excellent and I was back to exercise and resolution of pain and herniation. Recently I have had hip pain and and tingling down my leg. My evaluation with DR Johnson was very thorough and spot on. The PT with Dre was incredible. I am now pain free with a resolution of the tingling as well. I will definitely return for any future problems that may arise!

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