Picturesinthefirelight Posted February 2, 2014 Share Posted February 2, 2014 A friend who is a dance teacher was astounded when she tried to join her son up & was told a 3 year wait at least. (He was 3) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fiz Posted February 2, 2014 Share Posted February 2, 2014 What was said about puberty is so true. Both of our daughters danced. The eldest was not good at ballet but ok at tap, modern and jazz. She was tiny until she was 19 and her ballet teacher always said she "looked like a ballet dancer since she has 'the look' " and couldn't believe she wasn't a good ballet dancer. My youngest is long waisted and was of average build and shape. She was good at ballet and wanted to dance professionally at one time. The same teacher said that vocational schools would not look at her twice because of her body type. Puberty changed everything for them both. Our eldest is no longer elfin and has her paternal grandmother's generous bust whilst our youngest is a size 6/8 and is virtually flat chested to her chagin. The same teacher always said that the best dancers could be undone by puberty and it would appear from my daughters that she was right about the changes it wreaks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ellie Posted February 2, 2014 Share Posted February 2, 2014 I hope that nowadays teachers are more knowledgeable about the effects of puberty and growth spurts on boys and girls. My DS is currently experiencing knee problems which we have been told by osteos/physios/teachers are down to a growth spurt. And for girls especially regarding body shape, it is quite a shock to be staring at yourself in a leotard and tights in the mirror every day and noticing lumps and bumps that aren't supposed (ballet wise !) to be there. I think that only the really skinny lizzies avoid this, but with correct work and a good diet it all sorts itself out eventually...but it's tough at the time ! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thecatsmother Posted February 3, 2014 Share Posted February 3, 2014 It can be a more gentle way to practice splits placing several sofa cushions underneath student. Appropriate height needs to be judged so they do not over stretch but it can help with a more gradual process. The last thing you want are hamstring or groin injuries. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Myveryownbillyelliot Posted February 3, 2014 Share Posted February 3, 2014 Thank you for replies regarding splits. I will be speaking to his teacher on Tuesday but for the moment I have told him not do do them as I do believe his determination is causing him to push himself too hard. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Myveryownbillyelliot Posted February 4, 2014 Share Posted February 4, 2014 Oh dear! I thought my ds needed help with flexibility/splits but it seems there is something more to worry about. Speaking to his ballet teacher tonight ( an amazingly knowledgeable man whom I trust implicitly) it seems my ds has a problem with rolling in his feet. Now as I have said before, I know nothing about ballet, but he asked my ds to demonstrate this and I could see immediately what he meant by it. Is this a disaster? Has anyone come across it before and can it be corrected? He is just 11, doing ballet for 2 yrs 4 months. I am now very worried (just for a change) which isn't great as we are off to Tring tomorrow. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happymum Posted February 4, 2014 Share Posted February 4, 2014 (edited) Yes, rolling in is quite common in children. A bit strange that any teacher didn't say anything before though. it can be corrected by wearing orthotics/insoles and by doing corrective strengthening exercises. Generally it shouldn't be a bigil problem but it will take time. I think you were planing to go to a dance physio soon - surely he/she will be able to tell you more and suggest proper exercise etc. Try not to worry, stay positive, your DS must be a great dancer if he got Elmhurst finals! And a visit to a good physio is probably the best idea Edited February 4, 2014 by Happymum Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happymum Posted February 4, 2014 Share Posted February 4, 2014 Oh, can't write and spell properly on my phone... Even editing didn't help... Sorry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thecatsmother Posted February 4, 2014 Share Posted February 4, 2014 I think when young people start to enter growth spurts it makes things harder. The key is awareness in terms of what is going on from a postural and technical perspective. I would not be overly concerned as there are plenty of physio exercises which will help. A dance physio in conjunction with a teacher should be able to advise. You may want to look at his dance shoes to see if there are signs of his feet rolling in terms of overwear where he is rolling. Check things like school shoes as well. He is still young and under good supervision will grow and strengthen. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Myveryownbillyelliot Posted February 5, 2014 Share Posted February 5, 2014 Thank you! Sorry, should have said, he mentioned this to me quite a long time ago now but I stupidly thought it was something that would correct itself. I guess the dance physio, when I get hold of one, will be able to help. How would I go about finding orthotic insoles? I have never heard of them. Gosh what would I do without you all and how on earth did I cope before I joined this forum, so weird!! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drdance Posted February 5, 2014 Share Posted February 5, 2014 (edited) Orthotics can be bought 'off the shelf' but I would recommend A: finding out if they're necessary before dashing off to the shops and B: if they are necessary, the physio will be able to arrange for these to be made to your specific needs, or will refer you to someone who can. 'Off the shelf' orthotics only correct mild pronation and I would avoid recommending these for children as their bodies are constantly changing so their needs will change accordingly. Edited to remove random smileys that appeared accidentally! Edited February 5, 2014 by drdance 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anna C Posted February 5, 2014 Share Posted February 5, 2014 I agree, drdance. My dd has orthotics in her school shoes and these, combined with self correction and exercises given by the physio, have effectively stopped her overpronating or rolling in. She was initially referred to a Podiatry Consultant but when since my private health stopped she now gets her orthotics made and reviewed by the NHS Orthotist at our local hospital. Dd's GP may have had to refer her but tbh I can't remember! My first stop would be a good Dance Physio and then either a Podiatrist or a referral to the Orthotics Team if the Physio thinks orthotics will help. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LinMM Posted February 8, 2014 Share Posted February 8, 2014 Agree with all the above but wondered whether it is worth checking if he is rolling in only in the ballet class.....or whether it is happening all the time. I say this as often children who are overturning their feet to get turnout(instead of this coming more from the hip and training these muscles to develop the turnout) tend to roll in because the leg muscles aren't strong enough to maintain the feet position they are adopting. As soon as a teacher makes them adjust this turn out their feet no longer roll in. By looking at the child's everyday shoe (school shoes) it should be easy to spot if have a more severe case of this as the shoe will be misshapen. If its only a mild case exercises are often all that's required to correct it. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Myveryownbillyelliot Posted February 11, 2014 Share Posted February 11, 2014 Thank you all! I have now found an excellent and highly respected dance physio who believes that the rolling in is reasonably mild and has given exercises which should correct the problem. It will take several months of working on the exercises daily but hopefully we will see results. When I looked on the internet it said that this problem had to be dealt with before the age of six but the physio assured me this was not so. He wasn't keen on the use of orthotics and said he felt it more important to train the feet through exercise in the first instance. We have to go back in two weeks to see if they are starting to work, fingers crossed! 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fiz Posted February 11, 2014 Share Posted February 11, 2014 Excellent news. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dancingmuppet Posted February 14, 2014 Author Share Posted February 14, 2014 Well, I've taken my dd to see the dance physio who was lovely. The physio gave my dd a complete screening, and felt that she has a good natural facility and that there is nothing wrong with feet, even went as far to say she couldn't see what dds teacher was talking about, although she did say that maybe dd doesn't use her feet as much as she should and stressed the importance of doing tendus etc properly (dd got a mini ballet lesson!). One much happier dd and a happier mum, although not sure where we go from here. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happymoocow Posted July 5, 2014 Share Posted July 5, 2014 Back on the topic of toes, my DD who is 12 has been suffering for about two months with a very sore big toe, it looks enlarged and the nail look as if it's become pitted and almost loose. It is extremely sensitive to touch- almost gout like! She is non vocational but does dance in various forms 4/5 times a week, though mainly ballet. In the last 6 months she has begun pointe work so could all be associated although her pointe shoes seem a good fit (teachers comments). My question though is about who is the best person to seek medical assistance from. A usual podiatrist, or even physio, or do you think specialist help from a podiatrist or physio who works with dancers feet. I'm a bit reluctant to ask her teacher who has in the past made a comment about having to dance through pain - I get the impression she thinks I over fuss but I have left this for a while now and it is not improving. The hols are coming up so a break may do some good, or if treatment needed now is a good time. Any advice is appreciated. I like the idea of a physio screening as mentioned by dancing muppet above, as she doesn't get this sort of attention coming from a non voc background. Many, many thanks, H Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anon2 Posted July 5, 2014 Share Posted July 5, 2014 I would be tempted to do both. Podiatrist to check health of toe nails especially as summer and will probably want to wear sandals. Then a dance physio for an assessment to check pulling up out of pointe shoes, using core and turn out correctly etc. However good a teacher you have a physio picks up on the thinnest detail which once worked on makes a huge difference. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
taxi4ballet Posted July 5, 2014 Share Posted July 5, 2014 Happymoocow, 12-year-olds shouldn't really be 'dancing through pain' - as your dd's teacher puts it - (IMHO) and perhaps there is a possibility that her pointe shoes may be responsible for her big toenail problems. Jane's sound advice is the way to go I think 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anjuli_Bai Posted July 6, 2014 Share Posted July 6, 2014 This is more than pain - the toe and nail are injured. One doesn't dance through the pain of injury. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anna C Posted July 6, 2014 Share Posted July 6, 2014 I agree. All good advice given. I would get those pointe shoes checked by a good experienced fitter, in case they are too wide in the box and/or too short in the length. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happymoocow Posted July 6, 2014 Share Posted July 6, 2014 Thank you all, I guess when transitioning to include pointe work you expect there to be pain, it's about knowing when to refer to a professional, which I will now do. I think a once over by a physio would be really beneficial, can anyone recommend a dance specialist? With regards to the podiatry issue, yes I will find one, but is the opinion out there that one who looks after the feet of dancers is better than a run of the mill ( no offence intended ) podiatrist? I may go back to the fitter who fitted her pointe shoes to check out their fit, we had them done in London by one of the shops in covent garden who seemed very thorough but her feet may well have grown, or the shoe changed to now be ill fitting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
taxi4ballet Posted July 6, 2014 Share Posted July 6, 2014 It may well be that her pointe shoes have softened too much now and aren't supporting her feet any more, her feet could have grown a bit too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anon2 Posted July 7, 2014 Share Posted July 7, 2014 Happymoocow, there has been a previous thread about dance physios that listed some that people had found helpful. Physio and podiatrist that specialise in dance will recommend each other and will work together to address some problems. http://www.balletcoforum.com/index.php?/topic/5774-dance-physio/?hl=%2Bdance+%2Bphysio I would second Taxi's advice about getting shoes checked too. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happymoocow Posted July 7, 2014 Share Posted July 7, 2014 Thanks that's really great, we shall try them! X Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now