Dancing puts gargantuan demand on the body to perform
efficiently and elegantly. It involves repetitive motions in open chain which
requires a good balance and stability control of the body.
The highest demand
being placed on lower extremity with dynamic control, awareness of the body position,
coordination of vision and balance in relation to the environment. A single
factor being not in place can result in a high impact injury. The dance moves
which involves landing needs a good control on foot, ankle, knee, hip, pelvis
and lower back.
Most common type of complain after years of dancing is a
result of repetitive strain and overuse. The risk factors include fatigue,
overwork, repetitive movements, unsafe or hard stages, biopsychological
elements (interpersonal difficulties & tension with people), inadequate
warm up and cool down, biomechanical and muscular dysfunction because of weak
and tight musculature, foot deformities like flat feet and core muscular
imbalance.
Risk Factors - Fatigue, overwork, repetitive movements, unsafe
stages, biopsychological elements (interpersonal difficulties & tension
with people), dance partner (proven in research)
Common Diagnosis –
From Bottom to top –
Dancer’s Fracture, Sesamoiditis, Hallux Valgus and Bunion
(Coz of improper foot wear or associated deformity like flat feet), Hallux
Rigidus, Plantar Fascilitis, Metatarsalgia, Trigger Toe, Ankle Sprain, Achilles
Tendonitis, Shin Splints, Posterior Impingement Syndrome ‘Dancers Heel’, Anterior
Impingement Syndrome, Hyperpronation foot/feet, apophysitis, patellofemoral
pain and instability, Meniscal and/or ligament tear at knee, Trochanteric Bursitis,
Osteoarthritis, Piriformis Syndrome, Spondylolysis, Spondylolysthesis, Spinous
process apophysitis (A cause of low back pain following repetitive
hyperextension), Sacroiliac Joint Pain, stress injury, muscle injury, etc.
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In the next post - Part II - Assessment, Prevention and Dance Treatment
In Part III - Marketing your services to Dance Institutes and Academies
For References Click Here