Dancers Feet

14/02/2021

💃🩰 A common issue for dancing feet.... BUNIONS❓⁉

Check out the post below for more information.........

👣 A bunion is abnormal lump of bone that forms on the joint of the big toe, which can become painful, red, and inflamed. Often the range of motion in the big toe becomes restricted and even working on demi pointe may be difficult.

Bunions are malalignments of the big toe joint, with an inwards drift of the toe and a large protuberance of the joint so no longer looks straight. Most people think the issue is the big toe drifts in but most often the problem starts when the first metatarsal (long bone that sits underneath the big toe joint) starts to deviate away from the foot.👣

⚈What causes bunions to form:
• Hereditary/ genetics
• Pronation (foot rolls inwards)
• Walking pigeon toed
• Weakness in the muscles surrounding/ controlling the big toe joint
• Leaning on the big toe on tendu especially in second (In dancers)
• Reduced mobility of big toe in demi point e
• Restricted/limited pointe range

⚈Symptoms:
• Malignment 🦶
• Pin in the 1st toe joint in movement
• Restrictions in demi pointe
• Inflammation of the 1st toe joint
• Rotation of the big toe so the nail longer faces upwards
• Occasion bruising or reoccurring in grown toenails

⚈Treatment regime:
Treatment of bunions always depends on the causative factors. Treatment may involve a series of exercises to allow for stability and ensure correct alignment eg. use of a bunion splint
Others may involve:
• Supportive footwear targeting width of the toe box and reductions in flat shoes such as thongs and Ugg boots etc.👟
• Taping to help draw the 1st metatarsal back towards the second toe and reduce any rotation
• Foam padding to reduce the pressure on the outside of the big toe.

🗣️If you or someone suffers from any of the symptoms or have any concerns with a possible bunion. Feel free to give us a call on ☎️ 03 366 0620.

20/01/2021

It’s that time of year again to get the kids off the couch and go shoe shopping!🛍️👞

𝐓𝐨𝐩 𝟓 𝐓𝐢𝐩𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐞 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐠:

✔️1. The fit of the shoes: Best fit is about one finger width from the end of the shoe to the tip of the longest toe (this may be the second toe).

✔️2. Kids feet grow quickly. We recommend doing a size check every 3-6 months so there are no blisters, corns or ingrown toenails developing.

✔️3. Flexibility in the front of the shoe is key! Pick up the shoe and try to bend it by pushing the front upwards. A good shoe will bend at the front of the foot and no further back. Flexible shoes that bend in the middle or that are easily twisted will not have enough support.

✔️4. Not too heavy! Heavy shoes can cause muscular pain and aches, especially in children.

✔️5. Quality is key! While school shoes shopping can be a big expense throughout the years, buying better quality shoes could save you money. A good shoe will not wear down so easily, while maintaining good comfort and support. Look for soles made from rubber and double stitching and double-dyed in the toe area. This will give shoes a longer life!

Head off to your closest technical footwear store to ensure your child has the best school shoes this year.

𝐒𝐞𝐞𝐤 𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐩 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐚 𝐩𝐨𝐝𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐭, 𝐢𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐝 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐰𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐬𝐲𝐦𝐩𝐭𝐨𝐦𝐬:
- Uneven shoe wear
- Complains of recurrent pain in feet or legs
- Rashes or lumps
- Tripping or falling constantly

14/01/2021

The best treatment is prevention!

If you've ever been unlucky enough to suffer from nasty blisters, then I'm sure you'd love to know how they can be avoided. Here's a few tips and tricks to help you out.

Socks 🧦
Your socks are just as important as your shoes when it comes to picking the right pair. A good pair of socks can offer increased cushioning, moisture-wicking and anti-friction properties, and, where appropriate, compression. It is also important to keep your socks rotating throughout the day if you're activity is continuing over a few hours in order to keep to foot dry from perspiration (this will also help reduce the risk of fungal infection). We also recommend, if possible, to take your shoes and socks off every few hours to air out the foot.

Shoes 🥾
The number one instigator of developing blisters is ill-fitting footwear. It is important to get your new shoes professionally sized and fitted. Wearing in the shoes is also important - anyone going for a 60km hike in a brand new pair of shoes is asking for trouble! We recommend buying a new pair and slowly building up your wear while alternating with your old pair. Lace-locking is another way to improve the fit around the heel - check your shoes for extra eyelets to do this. Adequate forefoot flexion will also help in reducing blisters as it reduces movement at the heel.

Anti-friction products 💦
There are many anti-chafe products on the market - Vaseline, Glide, Gurney Goo etc. - and they all work differently on different feet. We recommend trying out different products before a big hike, race, or sports tournament, to know which one works best for you. Hiker's Wool is another great anti-friction product which is made from 100% NZ sheep's wool. This lanolin-rich product aids in moisture-wicking, cushioning, and reducing friction.

Condition feet 🦶
Conditioning your feet is a process that takes a while but has great benefit! Walking barefoot on the sand is a gentle and relaxing way to begin this - especially for softer skin. If you develop callous then we suggest leaving a thin layer of this thickened skin as protection. The more time spent in your shoes will further help this as the body will respond to areas of higher pressure by developing harder skin. Too much callus is not good either, and this should be addressed with your podiatrist at your next appointment. If you are someone who tends to produce a lot of sweat, then the use of surgical spirits (rubbing alcohol) can be used to reduce perspiration as a short-term option.

Any questions? Feel free to ask!

13/01/2021

With more than 60% of dance injuries occurring in the foot and ankle. Seeing a dance focused podiatrist is recommended. Unsure of whether we can help you? Give us a call and enquire today 👣

Let’s get you stronger and pain free this new year, with added fun along the way!

Helping you, help your feet 🩰🦶

07/12/2020

Over the weekend two of our pods, Susie & Charani, held a stall at the Christmas Dance Market. This was a great opportunity to meet lots of young dancers, and give them advice on all things foot and leg related 🩰

Pictured below is a young ballerina having her plantar pressure analysed - a great tool for pre-pointe assessment! Sportsmed are proud to be the only clinic to offer this equipment in Christchurch.

Charani is our resident dance expert, and would love to see you for all your dance needs. Book in today for injury treatment, or pre-pointe assessment.

Thank you Gemma from Pointe Boutique for inviting us along.

Tutu pictured: By Sandy B

20/10/2020

Pointe-Shoe Anatomy: 🦶

Vamp:- great support to the metatarsals and help control the arch. The length of the vamp is determined by the length of toes
Wings- Provide lateral support to the metatarsals
Box- when hardened provide support to the forefoot
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