Foot, leg, and hip cramps

[ladybug88]

I took ballet when I was younger (around 3-6 lol) and I really want to go back into ballet. I do a lot of ballet exercises and stretches at home and I think I do pretty well. My turn out isn't that great but I feel like my hips are just stuck and wont let me! I feel like it is crazy as I am fairly young being only 17, 18 in 2 months.

On top of that my hip muscles will spasm and get very painful. My feet and calves do the same. On my feet it is where my toes are and they literally spasm so bad I can't move them. My calves aren't that bad. I am hesitant to start back up in ballet as if I am having this problem with basic stretches at home I doubtI will make it in a class. I love ballet so much but I really am not sure what to do. I have a massager that I use for my feet and it helps a little but not by much.

Thank you in advance for the help and advice!

[Anna C]

Welcome to the forum, ladybug88. :-)

 

There can be lots of reasons for cramp; from slight nutritional deficiency to the muscles protesting at being used in a different way. What concerns me slightly is you doing ballet exercises and stretches at home when you haven't been to class for many years, and the exercises - I assume - have therefore not been prescribed by a qualified teacher or physiotherapist. This means that the exercises may well be inappropriate for you and you could unwittingly be doing them wrong and causing problems.

 

The first thing I would suggest is going along to a trial ballet class for adult or teenage beginners - seeing how you get on, and speaking to the teacher to get advice on appropriate exercises for you. The alternative would be to see a Physio who specialises in Dance, if there is one near you. The Physio will be able to check your hips and assess your turnout, and likewise, give you safe and appropriate stretches and exercises which will help and not risk injury.

 

Hope that helps - do ask if you want more information. :-)

[taxi4ballet]

I agree, doing exercises at home without supervision may not be a good idea. Stretching is usually done in the middle of class when your muscles are already warmed up, and the exercises set by the teacher will be appropriate for the students' current level of training, flexibility and fitness. Your flexibility will improve, but there is no 'quick fix' - these things take time, and a lot of practice under the guidance of a good teacher.

 

Perhaps you could find a local teacher who has a suitable class, as that might be the best thing to start with, and they will check such things as placement, posture and the correct use of muscles.

[Moomin]

I agree, I think you'd be better off just getting started on a beginners class. Flexibility is more to do with body make up than age imo but will improve through just doing normal classes