Irish & Scottish Dancing - Common Injuries

Irish step dance is a type of performance dance originating in Ireland and derived from traditional Irish dance. Irish step dancing has recently been popularized by the world-famous show Riverdance and by its many successors.

Irish step dancing requires great upper and lower body strength. A stiff upper body and the rapid, precise movements of the feet are characteristic of Irish step dance technique.

Scottish Highland dance is a style of traditional, athletic solo dancing considered to be the national dance of Scotland. Dance routines are intended to highlight the dancer's tremendous athleticism, power, and strength. Once restricted to men only, highland dancing has become increasingly popular among women and youth.

In the majority of Highland dance routines, dancers perform on the balls of their feet. Highland dancing involves not only a combination of steps but also some integral upper body, arm, and hand movements.

Common Injuries - Chronic

Blisters

Friction, and the repeated rubbing of skin against the inside of the shoe, causes blisters. The effects of the blisters are made worse by damp, sweaty conditions of the shoe- commonly caused by extended dance performance. Excessively tight or new, inflexible shoes are also contributing factors.

Calluses

Calluses are thickened areas of dead skin, which typically form on the bottom or sides of the feet. They are caused by excessive, prolonged pressure and friction within the shoe.

Step dancers will often form calluses on the balls of their feet and on the big toe. Calluses are also a common occurrence for dancers with low arches. A lower arch, or flat feet, can cause instability in the foot- causing dancers to put undue pressure specific parts of the foot.

Thick calluses may crack, or bleed and can often become quite painful.

Dr. Roth recommends TABS arch supports to help cushion, support and protect areas of the foot sensitive to excessive callus formation.

Bunions

A bunion is a minor bone deformity usually in located in the dancer's big toe- generally caused by crowding of the toes within the dance shoe. Bunions can be prevented by putting a spacer between the affected digits, and by wearing properly fitted shoes.

Ingrown toenails

An ingrown toenail is a painful condition of the toenail. The excessive pressure of ill-fitting dance shoes, and improper foot care such as cutting the toenail too short are common causes of ingrown toenails.

Pressure results in the tissue on either side of the nail becoming overgrown, and the nail groove closing up- resulting in irritation, swelling, pain and tenderness.

Achilles tendonitis

Achilles tendonitis is a painful condition caused by the inflammation, and irritation of the Achilles tendon.

The Achilles tendon runs the length of the posterior leg, extending to the heel. The Achilles is key in providing the dancer with the strength, and resilience necessary to perform Irish step dance.

Excessive shoe stiffness, caused by improperly fitted footwear and tying laces too tightly, is a common contributing factor to Achilles tendonitis.

Dr. Roth recommends FABS or MAGFABS to help alleviate pain associated with Achilles tendonitis.

Plantar Fasciitis

The plantar fascia is the thick, connective tissue that supports the arch of the foot. It originates at the heel and extends to the base of the toes.

The plantar fascia tightens and stretches each time the foot is used, and is highly prone to overuse- especially if the arch is not supported by proper footwear.

Dancers typically experience pain on the inside of the heel and along the arch. Care measures include applying ice, stretching, anti-inflammatory medications, and gentle massage.

Flat feet, also known as overpronation, are the leading cause of plantar fasciitis. Dr. Roth recommends FABS or MAGFABS to help alleviate Plantar Fasciitis caused by pronation.

Shin Splints

Shin splints is the term used to refer to a painful condition of the shinbone, also known as the tibia, caused by small tears in the connective tissues that attach the muscles to the bone.

The overworking of the shinbone, and the affixed connective tissues that attach your muscles to the bone, is a major cause shin splints.

Supportive compression wraps may assist in healing by reducing strain, and providing essential support to the affected area.

Dr. Roth's Ultimate All-Purpose Wrap is engineered to provide the necessary support, compression and comfort to help alleviate pain associated with shin splints.

Pronation is also a common cause of shin splints. Pronation is the rolling motion of the foot from heel to toe while walking, jogging, or running. Too flat of a foot or too high of an arch can bring on a number of leg and knee injuries.

Dr. Roth recommends FABS or MAGFABS to help alleviate shin splints caused by pronation.

Common Injuries - Acute

Dislocation of the kneecap

A dislocated patella is a serious, painful, and often debilitating injury of the knee. Dislocation of the kneecap occurs when the patella slides out of alignment with the rest of the knee.

Common causes include poor leg alignment, and lowering to a kneeling position too swiftly, or with excessive force.

Dr. Roth's Ultimate All-Purpose Wrap is engineered to provide the necessary support, compression and comfort to aid in the healing of a serious knee injury.

Stress fractures

A stress fracture, also known as a hairline fracture, is an incomplete fracture of the bone- manifesting as a very small sliver or crack.

Fractures can occur in any bone but dancers most commonly experience a stress fracture in the second metatarsal; one of the five long bones of the foot.

Dr. Roth's Ultimate All-Purpose Wrap is engineered to provide the necessary support, compression and comfort to help alleviate pain associated with stress fractures.

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