Fuego Foot Health Checklist
Written by Dr. Dana Arie PT, DPT, OCS
Dancers are athletes who express forms, emotions and ideas through their bodies. To move gracefully through space, dancers require strength, flexibility, control, and good technique.
Dance injuries include any physical issues that challenge dancers’ ability to participate in dance classes, socials, rehearsals, or performances. While acute and sudden injuries can happen, most dance injuries arise from repetitive strain and an imbalance between activity and rest, known as overuse injuries. Wearing inappropriate footwear can also play a role in foot injuries.
For dancers, the feet and ankles are often prone to injuries such as ankle sprains, stress fractures, bunions, and plantar fasciitis. Many of these issues develop gradually over time and therefore recognizing early warning signs that can indicate stress and fatigue in the muscles and joints can help prevent pain and the progression to more serious injuries.
The Fuego Foot Health Checklist is essential for dancers aiming to minimize the risk of foot and ankle injuries. By following this checklist, dancers can enjoy dancing longer while staying healthier and stronger.
1.Identifying Footwear Wear Patterns
Muscle imbalances, inadequate foot stability, and poor balance control can lead to uneven weight distribution in different parts of the foot, which can be seen through wear patterns on the shoe insole. For instance, if your foot tends to roll inward, signs of wear will appear on the medial part of the insole. By removing your Fuego dance shoes and observing your insole, you can gain insights into your foot mechanics. Recognizing these patterns can help you address areas of asymmetry and weakness, reducing the risk of injury and enhancing dance longevity.
2.Keep an Eye on Your Toes
Take a moment to check in with your feet and observe their alignment. Look out for any signs of toe deformities like bunions or hammer toe which can flare if you dance mainly in heels. Taking proactive steps, such as performing specific exercises, using accessories such as inserts or toe spacers, and selecting appropriate footwear, will help to support your feet and can prevent these issues to from worsening.
3.Know Your Foot Type
Take a moment to observe your foot arch and understand its structure. Different foot types may need different care and sometimes different styles of shoes. For example, high-arched feet often distribute weight more towards the outer part, increasing the risk of ankle sprains. In such cases focus on improving balance and proprioception to enhance stability and control and choosing a shoe that has more ankle coverage (such as the Fuego High-tops) could improve your ankle support and prevent ankle injuries.
4.Refreshing your Fuego sneakers prior to them wearing out
Don’t wait for your shoes to wear out completely. Stay proactive by switching them out as they go through a normal wear and tear process. This ensures you’re always dancing in shoes that provide the support and comfort you need.
By following this Fuego checklist, you’ll enhance your awareness of foot and ankle health, enabling you to recognize potential weaknesses before they cause problems. Stay proactive and keep your feet and ankles strong and healthy with the right dance shoes!
