Explanation and treatment. Footwear – The lack of supportive footwear used in dance may also contribute to injury. The causes of dance injuries are many and varied. A survey of injuries to dancers was commissioned by the National Organisation of Dance and Mime. Some common causes of hip hop dance injuries include: Repetitive movements and impact loads without taking a break. Trauma caused from missteps, hard landings and falls when spinning and sliding. Dancers have to take extra care to not get too cold before or after practice in order to avoid muscular injury. Questionnaires asking about chronic and recent injuries were sent to 188 dancers and completed by 141 dancers from seven professional ballet and modern dance companies in the United Kingdom (75% response rate). There are multiple ways a dancer can become injured. The treatment for different foot injuries and pain depends on the cause and severity of your injury. Compensation – One common cause of injuries in dancers is compensating in one area to achieve the desired appearance for a dance skill. Always seek advice from your health provider regarding a medical condition. This is evident in the fact that the communist anatomical cause of potential problems and injuries is limitation of turn-outs (external rotation) of the hips. Children are beginning dance classes at younger ages, and competitive dancers may train five to six days per week in a year-round setting, placing them at high risk for injury with little time for rest and recovery. This is evident in the fact that the communist anatomical cause of … Common injuries: Sprains and strains – muscles and ligaments overstretched (knee and ankle). As with all sports and athletic disciplines, expert teaching and coaching for the development of technical knowledge is vital. Visit the Sports Medicine Blog for Current & Reliable Information on: Ask the Doctor: If you have a question to be addressed on an upcoming show, please click here. Causes of Dance-related Injuries. Some biomechanical causes of injuries prevalent among dancers can be due to • Increased pronatory forces caused by the high degree of turnout demanded in some forms of dance. Dancers are exposed to a wide range of risk factors for injury. The most common issues that cause dance injuries include: Type of dance and frequency of classes, rehearsals, and performances; Duration of training; Environmental conditions such as hard floors and cold studios; Equipment used, especially shoes; Individual dancer's body alignment; Prior history of injury; Nutritional deficiencies HOW CAN DANCE INJURIES BE PREVENTED? Want To Lose Fat? The dance community is paying more attention, with companies like New York City Ballet and Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre providing cross-training, pre-season screenings, and educational seminars to reduce injuries. Common dance injuries Common dance injuries include: sprains and strains - where muscles and ligaments are overstretched or twisted ; impact injuries – such as bruises caused by falling over, bumping into another dancer or tripping over props; blisters, bruising and ingrown toenails - ill-fitting shoes can cause all of these foot problems. They may range from faulty technique to a slippery floor to inadequate warm up prior to activity. Purpose-built dance floors are vital in rehearsal and performance spaces. Respecting the wound healing phases if you get injured, s… The physician must familiarize himself or herself with dance terminology, common moves, correct technique, and dancer's mentality. These injuries cause pain and swelling and usually occur in the shins or balls of the feet. 45% of dancers ages 14-16 reported injury in one study. In dancers, they are usually caused by repeated jumping and landing. Risk factors for injury can be divided into 2 main groups. Dancing “cold” – Insufficient warm up is another factor. How Are Diseases Against Your Health And Fitness Identified? Net Proceeds from Sports Medicine Weekly are donated for the Advancement of Orthopedic Research and Cell Biology at Rush University Medical Center. Clearly the combination aforementioned factors – excellent physical cardiovascular fitness, diet, training, technique, ability and training environment – greatly reduces the risk of injury under the demanding training schedules of a professional dancer, however dancers at the top of their game still frequently incur significant injury. Giving yourself sufficient time to regenerate after practise 5. Here we look at the six main causative factors that result in dance injury. Though there are many types of injuries, some are more common among dancers than … It is important to recognize the severity of the dancer's presenting injuries and the injuries' potential to limit the dancer's career. It is the responsibility of an excellent and highly knowledgeable dance teacher to be able to recognise, and react accordingly to, any anatomical weaknesses, physical limitations or onset of injury evident in the dance pupil. Explanation and treatment. Because of the repetitive movements that a dancer must practice and perform, most of the injuries associated with dance are due to overuse, including sprains, strains, tendon injuries, and stress fractures. It was found that of the 141 dancers, 67 (47%) had experienced a … Training under supervision and exchange with other dancers to get the right technique 2. The floor is an extremely important environmental factor to the health and performance of a dancer. While this may cause pain or discomfort, these injuries tend to be ignored by dancers as they continue their usual training, even to their own detriment (Anderson and Hanrahan, 2008). When Does a Rotator Cuff Tear Really Require Surgery. Does Heading the Ball in Soccer Lead to Concussions. We call this cumulative microtrauma, meaning it’s a lot of little overuse over time that can cause big problems. A Dancers Guide to Pain and Injuries Soreness after an intense dance class or day of training is completely normal and shows that you worked your muscles and built strength. Follow these guidelines to reduce your risk of injury: Stay hydrated before, during and after class. Excessive joint angles during movement. Ambient temperature of rehearsal studio and performance space is of utmost performance in avoiding dance injury. The causes of injuries sustained at fitness facilities presenting to Victorian emergency departments - identifying the main culprits Shannon E Gray1* and Caroline F Finch2 Abstract Background: Fitness facilities provide an avenue to engage in physical activity, which is widely encouraged to improve health. Anatomical Causes. Here are some common dance injuries, including the pain associated, how to prevent and how to treat them if it occurs: 1. As such it is vital that the dance student and teacher recognise any potential physical limitations early on, so that the dancer may learn to work within their true physical range. Normally this pain will last a few days after the activity, but there are many signs where your pain is Talk to a physical therapist about ways to incorporate cross training into your dance routine. Ill-fitting shoes can cause foot and toes injuries. Strengthening opposing muscle groups also creates more stable joints that are less likely to fatigue. 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