Dancing is a highly physical activity that requires strength, flexibility, and coordination. Using your body for artistic expression also puts a lot of stress on the feet, leading to potentially serious injuries that could threaten your career. Here are some problems you could experience that indicate you need to see a foot doctor.

What Are Common Foot Injuries Experienced by Dancers?

1. Plantar Fasciitis

This common foot injury affects dancers, runners, and other athletes. Frequent stress causes inflammation of the plantar fascia, a thick band of tissue that runs across the bottom of the foot, connecting the heel bone to the toes. Symptoms include pain and stiffness in the bottom of the heel or arch. They usually worsen in the morning and after prolonged periods of standing or walking.

A foot doctor will prescribe rest, ice, and stretching to treat plantar fasciitis. You should also avoid activities that cause pain, which could mean taking a break from dancing. To prevent experiencing this condition, stretch your calf muscles and plantar fascia daily, keeping them flexible.

2. Stress Fractures

Repetitive stress or overuse can cause minute breaks in the bone. Dancers have particularly high risks of stress fractures in the feet, especially in the metatarsal bones. Common symptoms include pain, swelling, and tenderness in the affected area, with the aches usually worse during activities and reduced during rest.

Treating a stress fracture involves rest, immobilization, and pain management. You should avoid activities that cause discomfort and try to rest your feet as much as possible. Catching this injury in the early phases can keep it from worsening.

3. Achilles Tendinitis

This condition refers to the inflammation of the Achilles tendon, which connects the calf muscles to the heel bone. It's common in dancers due to the stress on this body part during jumping and landing movements.

The symptoms of Achilles tendinitis are pain and stiffness in the back of the ankle, particularly in the morning or after prolonged periods of inactivity. If you experience this injury, a foot doctor could recommend resting and icing the affected area.

For over 30 years, the foot doctors at Advanced Foot Care Center of Rochester have provided industry-leading care and medical advice to dancers throughout the area. At their locations in Rochester and Fairport, NY, they deliver a broad range of services, from chronic pain treatment to diabetic foot care, and will provide tips for preventing serious injuries. Visit their website for more on the conditions they treat, or call (585) 249-0020 to schedule an appointment today.