Guest devion101 Posted March 3, 2004 Report Share Posted March 3, 2004 I used to do the couch stretch all the time with my feet, and it improved them a lot, but just recently I have started to get an enormous swelling on the outside of my left ankle. My teachers looked at it, and concluded that it was from doing the couch stretch. My ankle now really hurst when I do pointe, which is no picnic, so I'm not doing that stretch anymore... I just wanted to post this to dissuade people from using this stretch, because it is really harmful in the short or long term. Now I know why so many people warn against it... Cheers, Dev Quote Link to comment
Guest kitrisomeday Posted March 3, 2004 Report Share Posted March 3, 2004 could you please explain the stretch , many people have mentioned it, but i still dont know what it is Quote Link to comment
Guest devion101 Posted March 3, 2004 Report Share Posted March 3, 2004 The couch stretch is when you sit down on the floor, slip your foot underneath a low couch, and see how far you can straighten your leg. It is supposed to stretch the top tendons and ligaments of the ankle and foot. Like I said though, it is NOT worth the stretch... Quote Link to comment
Mel Johnson Posted March 3, 2004 Report Share Posted March 3, 2004 You can do this with a partner depressing your forefeet, but make sure you stay in 100% communication. "OK, ease up" means RIGHT NOW! Quote Link to comment
SFB2b Posted March 3, 2004 Report Share Posted March 3, 2004 just don't do it for more than a minuter (per foot) each day, don't sickle or wing when stretching your foot, and do the runner's stretch afterwards. Quote Link to comment
Administrators Victoria Leigh Posted March 3, 2004 Administrators Report Share Posted March 3, 2004 If you are having someone else stretch your foot be sure that they place one hand under the achilles tendon while pressing on the instep with the other hand. This should be done gently but firmly, and I would not hold it for a minute at a time. That is too long. Just hold a few seconds, release for a few seconds, then repeat several times. Quote Link to comment
LadyR Posted March 3, 2004 Report Share Posted March 3, 2004 Please excuse me, I am not a teen, but a mom of a young dancer. (Feel free to move me or delete.) I have a question about this foot stretch. Ms Leigh, my daughter's teacher showed me how to do this stretch for my daughter and she also put one hand under the achilles tendon. Can you tell me why or what I'm supposed to be feeling for? I do notice that I can feel the tendon if she points her foot and I do not feel it if she relaxes and lets me do the stretching for her. We were told she shouldn't be working the foot (pointing) while I'm applying pressure for the stretch. Quote Link to comment
Mel Johnson Posted March 3, 2004 Report Share Posted March 3, 2004 You're not there so much to feel for problems, but to act as a fulcrum to relieve stress on the heelbone and the attachment point of the Achilles' tendon where it hooks up to the heel. If that area gets compressed hard, it can bring on not only a kind of tendinitis, but also a bone bruise! Quote Link to comment
Guest dancinsweetie Posted March 4, 2004 Report Share Posted March 4, 2004 Thanks so much for the warning! I have been trying to tell my friend not to do it for a long time and now i can tell her your story! (If you don't mind) I bet that will stop her. I'm sorry you had to go through all of that! Thanks Quote Link to comment
ballet24/7 Posted March 5, 2004 Report Share Posted March 5, 2004 thanks for the warning...i am one of those people who does it all of the time. other than someone else stretching the feet, what are some other alternatives? does anyone own the pro arch? is that known to be just as effective as the couch stretch but safer? i still need a foot stretch....it has been a habit and really really helped my arch! Quote Link to comment
Mel Johnson Posted March 6, 2004 Report Share Posted March 6, 2004 Forward to Therabands! Quote Link to comment
Bee Posted March 6, 2004 Report Share Posted March 6, 2004 Ahh, you Americans have a name for everything! Now would anyone please explain to me what the 'runners stretch' is? Quote Link to comment
Mel Johnson Posted March 6, 2004 Report Share Posted March 6, 2004 That's the stretch in fourth position neutral (no turnout, aka seventh position) done by bending the front knee and keeping the back heel on the ground. It stretches the Achilles' tendon and gastrocnemius muscle. Bend the back knee, too, and you stretch the peroneus muscle. Quote Link to comment
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