There is a reason why some professional dancers rely on acupuncture to keep them going. Acupuncture not only helps with pain without relying on opioids but can help with dancer physical compensation issues before or after an injury.
While acupuncture can treat many different dancer injuries it is particularly effective relieving foot and ankle pain. The foot is not designed to anticipate the specialized postures and movements of a dancer. The large forces generated and absorbed by the foot and ankle are estimated to account from between 27% and 49% of total injuries depending upon the style of dance including ballet, modern dance, flamenco, and tap dancers.
Professional dancers who incorporate acupuncture in their regimen find that acupuncture can help with the healing process of acute injuries of tendons and ligaments. Acute injury of tendons and ligaments can involve an inflammatory phase that can last from three to seven days with rest and no aggravation of these tissues. Poor blood circulation or inadequate lymph drainage can complicate healing. For example, grade one ankle sprains where no tear is indicated are possible candidates for acupuncture to help facilitate healing and reduce pain.
According to podiatrist Dr. Terry L. Spillken, author of The Dancer’s Foot Book, there are 30 joints in each foot and 112 to 117 ligaments holding bones together in each foot. Most sprains occur at the ankle when the foot rolls as an inversion sprain. The anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL) is the most commonly injured ankle-foot ligament in dancers but often more than one ligament is involved.
Whether or not you are a dancer, if you are suffering from foot or ankle pain call me for a free consultation at 610-662-0755 to see if acupuncture might help relieve your pain.
PHOTO CAP: Why many dancers rely on foot acupuncture