Overworking?

[Guest Makayla]

Hello

I'm wondering, how do you know whether you are over working yourself? My dance classes started back one month ago, and 3 weeks of the 4 weeks so far, I have been very sore and tired. I'm not tired all of the time, but I need to go to bed a lot earlier than usual, and I dont have as much energy as usual, exept for when I get into the studio. Does this mean I'm over working? I keep on saying that I'm just sore because I'm building my muscles, but someone mentioned to me today, that I've been sore for so long, am I sure I'm not over working.

What do you think? I think that by next month, the soreness will be mostly gone exept for the few things that may stick around (such as my achille tendon problems).

I would just like an opinion, on whether this is normal behaviour, from someone who takes 2 ballet technique classes, 1 pointe, 1 conditioning, and 1 choreography class each week. Last year I only had 2 classes, so maybe its only because of the huge jump. I also do pilates at home 2-3 days a week.

 

Thank you so much in advance for your replies, even if this is a question which cannot be answered

[Victoria Leigh]

I don't think it's overworking, Makayla, but I do think that doing a pointe class with only two technique classes is very hard on the body. And once a week pointe is also very hard. Dancers at the level for pointe work who are your age should be having daily (at least 5 days a week) technique classes and at least 3 pointe classes a week. While you are also doing conditioning and Pilates, it's still not the same thing as a ballet technique class. These things are good, very good, but they do not replace technique classes.

[Guest Makayla]

Thank you for you quick reply Victoria Leigh!

I will talk to my teacher about adding any technique classes to my schedule I can.

Thanks again

[Mel Johnson]

However, in the meantime, I would take a stroll over to the family doctor. The symptoms you describe could be nothing, but they could also be related to several medical conditions which have nothing to do with overwork. Check it out, and play it safe!

[Guest Makayla]

Alright, thanks to Major Mel too!

Neither of those reasons crossed my mind, I'm glad I asked!

[Guest Makayla]

Just an update on my situation, since it seems a lot of people viewed this post Incase anyone is interested, my teacher examined me on Sunday, and noticed my hips appear to be different heights, yet my hip bones are level, my knees are different levels, yet my legs are the same length. I have almost no rotation in my left hip, and my left leg is actually 1/2 smaller around, and weaker. Somehow all these things connect to realte to my lower back pain, and may be causing my right lower back side to be experiancing spasms.

I'm making a doctors appointment tomorrow, but may not get in for another few weeks (my province is very short on doctors)

 

Anyways, my teacher suggested I talk to the doctor about gettingg a referral to a massage therapist to correct my problem.

 

My deep apologies if any of this doesn't make sense, I dont quite understand it myself hehe. If anyone is also farmilliar with what I'm talking about, and it makes sense to them, maybe you could explain it to me, so I could explain it to my doctor easier? haha. My teacher couldn't seem to make me understand.

 

If anyone is interested, I will post what my doctor said once I get to the appointment.

[Mel Johnson]

Makes a lot of sense! Sorry to hear you're troubled by asymmetry, but at least you can console yourself in knowing you are not alone! It's a lot more common than people realize, and until you put a body to hard work, as in ballet, most people never experience problems from it. Lucky devils!;)

[Fraildove]

Hi there!

 

I was jut reading your post and would like o tell you that asside from obvious physcal conditions, you may want to be screened for mono. I had this happen to me and had almost the exact same symproms you described. It isn't extremely serious unless it is allowed to prolog, but it does caue weekness and beig overly tired. just a thought. Anyway, please post and let everyone know how you are.

 

Rachel

[Guest Makayla]

Fraildove, thank you! I didn't think of that at all, but now that I think of it, aren't symptoms of mono (if I'm thinking of the same thing... sometimes called the "kissing disease" haha) including sometimes flu symptoms, or cold symptoms? Because I had the sniffles off and on, and just today they got worse, and I have had a headache all day that just wont leave!

I'm not sure if those symptoms are even connected to mono, but I believe they are

Thanks, I would never have even thought of that option. I'll ask my doctor about that too!

[Fraildove]

Glad to help!

Actually they are all symptoms of mono. I also had a rash, but thatis very unusual. Talk to your doctor. it is a very easy test to take and will give you reasurance either way. Letme know what happns, and take it easy.

[Guest Makayla]

Thanks

Unfourtunatly it will be a few weeks before I get into my appointment. Doctors are REALLY overworked here. Some people dont even have a doctor.

So hopefully it's nothing serious anyways. I dont think it is.

I will definatly asked to be tested for mono, thanks

[Mel Johnson]

It's a good thought, and worth checking out! But don't overlook anything else, either. My situation that ended me up in the hospital started as just tiredness, and got worse and worse, until I was really sick! If I'd been smart, I'd have headed for the doc at the first sign of trouble, and saved us all a monster of an operation. And of course, the eternal reminder, it could be nothing serious at all, too...;)

[Guest Makayla]

Haha, okay, now I'm all alert, and scared

Sorry to hear about the misfourtune for both of you.

Yes, I realize it is very smart to be causious. I'm trying not to get too worried...hehe

I think for now all I can do until I see the doctor is just make sure I healthy and get lots of rest, right?

And that's what I'm doing

[Guest Makayla]

Hello!

I saw my doctor yesterday, and am being sent to a "Sports Medicine" Doctor.

So I still dont know any real answers unfortunatly..

I do know that my hips ARE different heights, or something like that.

Anyways, massage therapy according to my doctor is useless in this situation because it's only temporary, so I'm not headed in that direction anymore.

 

Thanks for your interest, even though I haven't been helped yet! hehe

[Mel Johnson]

It's good that you're being sent to a Sports Medicine specialist. That's the most likely type of physician outside of a major metro center that would have relevant experience in this field. Performance Medicine just doesn't have that many practitioners, and they're mostly concentrated in cities.