Recommendations for foot stretchers

[Domino25]

I would be very grateful for recommendations for a foot stretcher for an 11 year old just starting pointe work.

Edited March 14, 2018 by Domino25
Spelling error

[Dancing unicorn]

Would not recommend a foot stretcher for an 11yr old! You’re better using a theraband and foot exercises which her teacher should give her to do. At that age their bones are still forming and I would be frightened that she would damage delicate bones and then never be able to dance on Pointe! But then thats just my opinion!! 

[drdance]

You mean muscles?!

 

Seriously though - speaking as a teacher and dance injury specialist I do not like the use of these stretchers. A dancer needs to use her own strength to control her feet and ankles especially on pointe. Any excessive stretching will cause ligaments to loosen and render the foot and ankle much more prone to injury. Your teacher should be able to provide your DD with exercises to do but if you're still at a loss please feel free to PM me.

[PrancingMum]

I have to agree with Dancing Unicorn.  The foot exercises with a theraband are what is needed not.  By all means stretch the foot gently with your hands as part of a routine.  If she is going on pointe a good teacher will start her on some exercises in good time before assessing overall strength. 

[Picturesinthefirelight]

Don't go there, please don't. 

[Dancing unicorn]

Yes Drdance - may be I should of been more specific and said muscles/ligaments/tendons and the bones in the foot! Sorry should of been more specific!!

Only I get into such a flap when anyone even mentions foot stretchers!!! Haha 

Edited March 14, 2018 by Dancing unicorn

[Fiz]

I wouldn’t use one or have bought one for our dds if you’d paid me.

[Jan McNulty]

Hello Domino25 and welcome to the Forum!

 

If you search on the word "stretcher" these tools have been discussed in various threads before, which you may wish to peruse.

 

As with DrDance it seems that most of the teachers who post on here and the parents do not recommend them.

[Anna C]

Nor do good physios.  

 

This article by Lisa Howell is interesting.  Not only is Lisa a hugely experienced Dance Physio, she also has a lot of experience of hypermobility.  Here she explains why foot stretchers can cause problems:  https://www.theballetblog.com/portfolio/the-pros-and-cons-of-foot-stretchers/

[drdance]

 

[sarahw]

There are still kids in vocational schools using these which is so depressing. ...

[dancefanatic]

I found out from my elder DD (at vocational school) that she'd used one of her class mate's a few times as I refused to get her one.  When I told her a few of the things learned from Lisa Howell's blog that particularly apply to my DD who has hypermobile joints, with a particular weakness in her ankles, she has finally seen that she's better off just working with her theraband.  She's also going to talk to staff at her school for more advanced exercises to help strengthen her ankles and even admitted that she now wonders if the recent level of weakness in her right ankle might be due to overstretching ligaments when using the foot stretcher!  As she's also had those wonderful (but horrible) banana feet since she was tiny, I don't think she needs a stretcher for her feet anyway!  So thanks to all for the advice and links, really helpful