Aching feet

[Guest Dancing Duranie]

Hi all,

 

Wasn't sure if this should be in the pointe shoes section or here or where, so feel free to move if neccesary.

 

In my pointe class the first warm-up we do is where we tendu to second and really push over our pointe. When I do this with my left foot it feels like my arch is literally going to snap right in the middle. I can't feel my shoe or shank at all when we do this........it's like there is nothing there to catch my arch from going too far (and I've done this in 4 different pair of pointe shoes and it is the same everytime). However, once we get into the actual class part I don't have this issue while en pointe. So my question is, what is wrong that is making this so painful?

 

Now, my other problem is that in our technique classes we do no warm-ups for the feet at all. There is general stretching beforehand, but nothing for the feet. I always get to class early and stretch on my own before everyone sits down and stretches together. About 15-20 mins. into the barre both of my feet, in the arches, are hurting so bad I feel like I can't even stand on them much less dance anymore. I am wondering if I should use my time before class in the technique classes to do foot warm-ups on my own? And again, why do my feet do this? I work all day in a pretty sedentary job and then rush to class at night. Is it a combination of finally utilizing my feet and just not being warmed up or are there other issues at hand?

 

If it matters I have highly arched feet as well.

 

Thanks for any input,

DD

[Victoria Leigh]

Are you wearing heels during the day, before going to classes? This could cause this symptom, but not sure what else might do it. However, it does sound like you need to work your feet before class.

[Guest Dancing Duranie]

No, I gave up heels several years ago!

 

I usually wear casual dress shoes that really have no arch support in them. Our company is pretty casual so about one day a week I will wear tennis shoes.

[Mel Johnson]

Try putting an over-the-counter arch support like Dr. Scholl's into your shoes. It might help.

[Guest Dancing Duranie]

I've actually tried that, Mel. I still don't feel any arch or support. My Mom and I both have extremely high arches. She developed a very severe case of plantir fasciatis (sp?) and had to have special orthodic insoles made. Those were the only things that worked for her. As for me, I have a pair of house shoes where the arch support is like a rock and so high and it feels awesome. I always wear these when I get home after ballet class to try to keep my feet stretched out a little bit. I swear, if I could wear them to work and around in public I would.

 

My arches aren't falling are they? Please tell me no and that's not where the pain is coming from!

[Mel Johnson]

I would doubt that, but you're such a relatively new student, that the feet might just be redistricting a bit. When I first started dancing, I was a size 8½, and at a time when most teenage boys' feet just get bigger and bigger, I was down to a size 7 in a couple of years!

[Guest Dancing Duranie]

New because I'm coming back after five years off...........or new because I've only danced for 20 years total?

[Guest BalletBrat]

I HAVE to warm up my feet before class, fortunatly my teachers do a warm up barre, before barre, so that helps. We then almost always start with slow tendus from first position, before going into pliés, and then later add the quicker tendus and glissés from fifth.

 

Simple pointing and flexing, with slow ankle rotations, slow tendus and small rises help me get my feet nice and warm, if I skip these, my feet and ankles lock up around the second set of tendus

[dianec]

Hi dd,

Warming up your feet before class might help a lot. I find it more important than any other bit of warm-up or stretching before class. Partly because my feet easily get very, very cold, but I too have high arches. So I try to do at least 5 mins of simple foot and toe warm-up, pre-tendu things like just rolling up and down through each foot, and pushing off the floor with the toes.

[Guest Dancing Duranie]

I suspected (and hoped!) this was the cause of the problem. I will use my time before class tomorrow to do my own foot warmer-uppers. I guess these old feet need to be babied now.

[Myfairlady]

I would definitely get orthotics for your work shoes.

[jayo]

I'll second the suggestion to get orthotics made for your everyday shoes. They aren't that expensive (especially compared with ballet lessons!).

 

jayo

[davidg]

You should definitely talk with your teacher about this. Different feet have different needs, as to what exercises are needed to get them into "pointe-shape". It may be that the arching-over is just wrong for your feet (but right for tightly-constructed feet with low arches), but there could be othe things you need. Please, talk it over with your teacher!