Whether it is a ballerina executing a perfect grand jeté leap, a pair of ballroom dancers executing perfectly timed footwork, or a line of high-kicking Irish step dancers, dance is artistry in motion. However, dance is also requires hundreds of hours of practice, requiring a level of flexibility and strength that equals that of professional athletes.

When you consider that professional ballerinas who dance en pointe (on the tips of their toes) go through just one pair of pointe shoes in just one or two performances, you begin to grasp the concept that dance can be hard on the body. Dancers are susceptible to many of the same injuries as elite sports athletes. Torn ligaments, dislocated joints, or strained tendons can temporarily or permanently sideline a dancer just as it can a football or baseball player.

Fortunately, chiropractic adjustments as an ongoing part of dancers’ care routine can keep them at peak performance levels. Read further, as Dr. Nathen Horst discusses the typical injuries that dancers’ experience, as well as how chiropractic can help treat them.

Typical Dancer Injuries

It should not be surprising that the most common injuries for dancers start at their feet, often as a result of needing to dance barefoot or with special shoes that do not provide proper support.

For example, on pointe ballet shoes are specifically made with a stiffened toe box that does not flex; in addition, the shoes provide no support in the sole. Even the heels that female ballroom dancers must wear can cause foot problems.

It is not unusual to see dancers who also have ankle, knee, hip, and back issues. Male dancers who must lift their female counterparts, such as for ballet or ballroom dancing, may also incur damage to shoulder, neck, and arm joints. Issues can include bunions, arthritis, and joint dislocation.

Another issue for dancers is with those who start in childhood. This is particularly true for ballerinas. While most dance teachers suggest not training to dance en pointe before age 12, some girls are eager and may start as early as 9 or 10, before the adolescent growth spurt has set in. This can lead to issues with bones in the feet that are still growing.

How Can Chiropractic Adjustments Help?

The basis of all chiropractic care is what is known as a chiropractic adjustment. While it is usually done on the individual vertebrae of the spine, it can also be performed on any joint in the body to realign it.

Chiropractic philosophy says that nerves that carry signals to and from the brain to help the body function will become impaired if the body is out of alignment. The result can lead to pain, stiffness, and injury.

When a chiropractic adjustment is performed, the joint slips back into proper alignment, thereby releasing pressure on the nerve and restoring proper signaling with the brain. Dr. Horst may use other treatments, including stretching exercises, electronic muscle stimulation, or laser therapy to stimulate muscle healing.

Of course, dancers want to be at the top of their form for as long as possible. Dr. Horst understands this, which is why he emphasizes the importance of regular chiropractic adjustments, which will help reduce the risk of injury and keep them at peak performance levels.