Dancers may injure their hips, legs, feet, and ankles as they train and learn new choreography because they’re continually in motion, twisting, turning, and leaping—often en pointe. To return to performance schedules and exercise regimens as quickly as possible, many dancers seek out physical therapy and other rehabilitative treatments to speed healthy recovery from injury.

5 Common Dance Injuries & Treatments

1. Ankle Sprains & Strains

A sprain is damage to or the tearing of ligaments. A strain is damage to or the tearing of muscle. Rapid rotations, jumps, and twists may overstretch or tear supportive tissues. A dancer may hear a popping sound when one of these injuries occurs and need a course of physical therapy to fully recover.

2. Shin Splints

Shin splints are the result of overusing tight lower leg muscles attached to the tibia. The pulling of muscle at bone-attachment sites creates muscle micro-tears. Shin splints cause pain and swelling on the front or side of either shin. If a dancer’s shin splints are chronic, it may be a sign of a more serious injury, such as a stress fracture.

3. Metatarsalgia

Metatarsalgia is pain on the ball of the foot. It occurs in dancers because the ball of the foot bears the dancer’s weight, especially when pivoting. Treatment for this condition is usually nonsurgical. Instead, physical therapy and rest are prescribed.

4. Sesamoiditis

Sesamoids are two small bones on the underside of the ball joint on your big toes. When they become inflamed from impact or repetitive movement, you may experience a sharp pain. It’s another ball-of-the-foot injury seen in dancers who train and perform en pointe.

5. Posterior Impingement Syndrome (Dancer’s Heel)

As a result of too many plies, a dancer may form a bony bump on the back of their heels. The bump can form from a previous sprain or because of tight soleus muscle tissue on the back of the lower leg. Tightness, which constricts nerves, vessels, and arteries, leads to inflammation and pain.

If you experience a dance-related injury, visit the specialists at Advanced Medical and Wellness for physical therapy. They’ve treated dancers and athletes across Dayton, OH, for more than 30 years. Their research-based treatments and family-oriented approaches make them an ideal wellness provider. Explore their services, including stem cell injections, CBD oil products, massage, physical therapy, and acupuncture, by visiting their website. Ready to schedule an appointment? Call (937) 427-2225 today.