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Building strength, balance, power and grace from within

Injury Management

In the event of an emergency, contact 911!! 

For non-emergencies, remember the acronym P.R.I.C.E:

PROTECT: Protect from further harm.

REST: Allow the injured area to rest.

ICE: Following an injury, apply a cold pack to prevent further inflammation and damage.  Ice is generally applied for 20 minutes then removed for 20 minutes throughout the day.

COMPRESS: Applying direct pressure will decrease swelling and bleeding.

ELEVATE: Elevate the affected area above the level of your heart if possible.  

Prevention

Hidden Training: What we don't see and why it matters

Injury Rate by exposure

  • Ballet                   .6 injuries/1000 hours
  • Modern Dance  .2-.5 injuries/1000 hours
  • Figure Skating  1.4 injuries/1000 hours
  • Soccer                4.0 injuries/1000 hours
  • Football              6.8 injuries/1000 hours

 Bronner et al 2003

Caring for Your Feet

 iStockballetfeet.jpg

Blisters, corns, bunions, callouses, sore arches...are very common in the performance athlete. In fact, many skaters and dancers are quite proud of their battered feet.  There are, however, many products that can help manage those aches and pains and even prevent damage in the first place. 

Preventing Foot Pain

  • Make every effort to find the right footwear in the beginning. There are many manufacturers of skatewear and dancewear. Take the time to find the best footwear for your shape of feet. Talk to your instructors and visit stores where experts are close at hand.
  • Sports medicine professionals and podiatrists can help prevent and manage foot pain if your feet are problematic. They can make recommendations for arch supports as well as demonstrate taping and padding methods.
  • Get to know the wide variety of products that have become available for skaters and dancers.
  • Do protect your feet by wearing shoes when you go outside.

Pamper your Feet

  • Give yourself a foot massage
  • Soak your feet in warm water
  • Get a pedicure (overgrown nails can be problematic)
  • Stretch your calves and arches
  • Write the ABC's with your feet

Injury Statistics

In a survey of 29 professional dancers, 93% reported nontraumatic injuries and 41% reported history of traumatic injuries. , Briffa, N., Hopper, D., and Negus, V. 2005 Associations between turnout and lower extremity injuries in classical ballet dancers. JOSPT 35: 307-318

"Skaters bring more knee problems than any other injuries to a physician's attention...a skater may attempt a jump twenty to a hundred times in a single day" Dr. Angela Smith

76% of musicians experienced a significant injury which required time off.", Lowsley, "Caring for the Performing Artist" NATA Conference June 2005.

Common Injuries in Performance Athletes

Dance Injuries: Harkness Center for Dance:

Links

American Heart Association

American Red Cross

American College of Sports Medicine

National Athletic Training Association