Dance Biomechanical Assessment, Injury management/ Rehabilitation and conditioning

(up to 1.5 hour Appointment )

Dance podiatry covers two primary areas:

1. Overuse and acute injuries.

2. Mechanical performance enhancement to reduce the risk of injury and to increase performance efficiency.

Why should I see a Dance podiatrist?

Our podiatrists at Pointe Podiatry are trained to assess your general biomechanics (walking, running and movement) and Specific Dance Biomechanics (ballet, Jazz, Tap, Contemparory, Lyrical, ballroom, gymnastics) to identify potential problems to reduce and prevent the risk of future injury.

Our Podiatrists will assess your gait and movement using our video gait analysis and specific dance biomechanical assessments.

The assessments will reveal whether your back, hip, knee, ankle and foot alignment, range of motion, strength, flexability and stability is ‘normal’ and sufficient for performing your particular form of dance.

Common dancer's injuries we treat at Pointe podiatry include: 

  • Lateral Ankle Sprain 
  • Bunions (Hallux Valgus) 
  • Stress Fractures 
  • Ankle Impingement
  • Trigger Toe/Flexor Hallucis Longus Tenosynovitis
  • Sesamoiditis
  • Hallux Rigidus 
  • Achilles Tendonitis 
  • Plantar Fasciitis
  • Heel Pain and Heel Spurs
  • Flat Feet
  • Metatarsalgia- Mortons Neuroma
  • Anterior Hip Pain ‘Snapping’ Hip Syndrome
  • Labral Tears
  • Iliacus tendonitis
  • Trochanteric Bursitis
  • SIJ Dysfunction
  • Shin splints
  • patellofemoral pain syndrome
  • meniscus tears
  • patellar tendinitis
  • bursitis
  • sprains of the knee ligaments 

We offer all-inclusive injury management and rehabilitation plans to help dancers resume class as soon as possible after injury.

Overuse injuries

Pain and injury to your feet or legs, is likely to be caused by a mechanical problem or imbalance in your body. Our podiatrist will determine the cause of your biomechanical problem and recommend a treatment to relieve your pain and to prevent further injury.

Treatment may include stretching and strengthening  exercises and programs, massage and dry needling, braces, footwear advice and taping or orthotic therapy to correct an imbalance

Biomechanical Assessments

How do you know your biomechanics is out?

Do you suffer from:

  • Heel and arch pain
  • Achilles Tendonitis
  • Flat feet
  • Poor turnout
  • High arches
  • Ankle sprains and injuries
  • Lower back pain
  • Knee pain
  • Knock knees
  • Poor posture, hip and nerve pain
  • Skin conditions -Corns/Calluses from high pressure areas
  • Clumsy gait, tripping
  • Bunions
  • Ingrown toenails
  • Foot deformity 
  • Pigeon toes
  • Toe walking

If you are experiencing a Dance related pain or problems during or after dance and activities or have a reoccuring injury we would advise a full comprehensive Dance bio-mechanical assessment.

In a Dance biomechanical assessment your podiatrist will:

  • Assess and discuss your specific symptoms do a full pain and injury history (duration/pain/sensation etc.)
  • Assess how you Dance with a dance positioning assessment
  • Assess general posture and do a Video Treadmill Gait Analysis.
  • Review and assess your current footwear and give advice on the best footwear for your foot type.
  • Check the Range of Motion, mobility and strength of your joints and muscles from your back to your toes. 
  • Discuss lifestyle and physical elements that could impact on your legs and feet.
  • Give a management/ rehabilitation plan on posture improvement, stretching exercises, Strengthening Program and other treatment options and procedures to treat your injuries
  • Conditioning Porgram to prevent future problems.

This appointment takes 1.5 hours and is designed to do a Dance Technique Assessment a  full assessment of the biomechanics of the foot, lower limb, knees, hip and lower back to diagnoses and form a comprehensive treatment plan and rehabilitation program to get you back on the dance floor pain free and an ongoing conditioning program prevent future injuries.