How to Make a Sesaoid Pad

Check out this article posted by Jenny L. Sanders, DPM on podiatrytoday.com.

"Sesamoiditis can be a challenge for the physician and patient alike. A simple way to alleviate sesamoiditis is to fabricate an offloading sesamoid pad and attach it to the underside of your patient’s sock liner or shoe insole. In just a few minutes’ time, you can fabricate a sesamoid pad and provide relief for this annoying, painful condition. We use these pads on a daily basis and it is nothing short of revolutionary.

Whether patients have sesamoiditis or a sesamoid fracture, helping them get off the injured part can go a long way toward facilitating healing and getting them back to regular shoes or their sport.
The following video shows you how to do this. I use ¼-inch Plastazote but adhesive felt can also be an option.

To watch the video, access http://youtu.be/IkmNX6tkZiw ."

Top 3 Dance Injuries and How to Prevent Them

Most dancers are no stranger to injury.  Dance puts a lot of stress on your body and feet.  However, injury doesn't have to be a part of a dancer's life.  Check out this list of the top three dance foot injuries and learn how to prevent them.  Prevention is the key to having a long, healthy, and enjoyable dance career.

1. Achilles Tendinitis

• Increase Activity Level Gradually
• Choose Shoes Carefully
• Stretch daily - Try this ProStretch available through our Product Store.
• Strengthen Calf Muscles
• Cross Train

2. Sprained Ankle

• Warm-Up
• Use caution when on uneven surfaces
• Wear shoes that fit well and are made for dance;avoid heels
• Maintain your strength and flexibility
• Practice Stability training

3. Bruised Toenails

• Wear Shoes that fit properly
• Shop for you dance shoes in the afternoon or evening
• Ice your toes after class
• Make sure your socks are the right material and thickness

If you think you are injured, do not hesitate to go to a doctor.  Putting off treatment will cause an injury to worsen and increase the time you won't be able to dance. Call our office at 419-423-1888 to schedule an appointment.

Get Smart about Summer Intensives

For most serious young dancers, summertime means taking a break from your normal studio and heading somewhere new for a summer intensive.  Going to a summer intensive can be a great experience for any dancer filled with new teachers, new friends, and improvement.  If you are nervous about going away from your first time, you probably aren't alone!  Check out these tips from danceadvantage.net before you go.

• Find out as much as you can from your friends and other dancers who have gone to the same intensive.
• Your nerves will be eased a little if you know what to expect.  Most people will be happy to share their experiences with you.
• Read every correspondence packet from your school very carefully.
• You don't want to miss a beat! This will also help keep you in the loop so you know what to expect.
• Prepare mentally
• Think about your goals for the summer.  It is also a good idea to purchase a notebook so you can write down any notes or corrections you receive throughout the summer.
• Don't go with any preconceived notions
• This is sure to make you unhappy, just let things work out!
• Pack everything on your list --- compactly!

• Make sure you have everything you need, but nothing you don't.  It is no fun lugging huge bags of useless stuff around the airport or through the city. You can probably leave your prom dress and costume jewelry at home.  However, these Engo blister prevention patches are a great thing to have handy and are available through our online product store. Throw them in your dance bag to take to your classes just in case your shoes begin to bother you. 
• Bring something familiar from home
• Having a small token from home will help you when you get homesick.
• Up your activity level in advance
• This will help you prepare for the intense schedule that is demanded at a summer program. 

If you experience any pain while away, or before you go,  be sure to visit your podiatrist.  Call us at 419-423-1888 or visit our website to schedule an appointment.  It will be very difficult to improve your technique if you are dancing on injured or painful feet.

Keep Your Dancing Feet Healthy

Follow these 10 tips for keeping your feet happy, healthy, and ready to dance. 

1.Don't ignore foot pain. It is not normal. If you experience any type of persistent pain in the foot or ankle, please contact our office.


2.Inspect your feet regularly. Pay attention to changes in color and temperature. Look for thick or discolored nails (a sign of developing fungus), and check for cracks or cuts in the skin. Peeling or scaling on the soles of feet may indicate Athlete's Foot. Any growth on the foot is not considered normal.

3.Wash your feet regularly, especially between the toes, and be sure to dry them completely.

4.Trim toenails straight across, but not too short. Be careful not to cut nails in corners or on the sides; this can lead to ingrown toenails. Persons with diabetes, poor circulation, or heart problems should not treat their own feet, because they are more prone to infection.

5.Make sure that your shoes fit properly. Purchase new shoes later in the day when feet tend to be at their largest, and replace worn out shoes as soon as possible.

6.Select and wear the right shoe for each sport or activity that you are engaged in (e.g., running shoes for running).

7.Alternate shoes—don't wear the same pair of shoes every day.

8.Avoid walking barefooted. Your feet will be more prone to injury and infection. At the beach or when wearing sandals always use sunblock on your feet.

9.Be cautious when using home remedies for foot ailments. Self-treatment may turn a minor problem into a major one.

10.If you are a diabetic, please contact our office and schedule a check-up at least once a year.

Stay in Shape Over Break

The holiday season often means a week or two of from school and dance classes.  The holidays are a nice break from class and a great time to catch up with friends and family.  However, don't let yourself get behind over break.  Try these five tips from Dancefullout.com to make sure you are ready to hit the dance floor after the new year.

1. Stretch Every Day

To avoid having extremely sore muscles when you return to class, keep yourself limber by stretching everyday.  It is a great way to avoid being sore and a way to ensure you maintain your flexibility. Put the Stretch-EZ optic on your Christmas list.  It can be found at Our Online Product store and is great for aiding in physical mobility and flexibility, the Stretch EZ's cradle design encompasses the foot allowing for a comfortable stretch to the foot, heel, Achilles tendon, hamstring, quadriceps, inner/outer thigh and calf.  A break is also a great time to schedule an appointment with your doctor or podiatrist about any problems you may be having.  Call us at 419-423-1888 or visit our website to request an appointment. 

2. Take the Dog for a Walk or Go for A Walk Outside

To keep yourself active while your outside the studio, try a light form of exercise like walking your dog, riding your bike, or even walking around the mall.

3. Try a New Form of Exercise

Since you have some extra time over the break, try a different type of exercise.  Maybe go to your local gym and take a pilates, kickboxing, or swimming class.  Dance is a great form of exercise but you may discover another activity you love while keeping your body in shape for dance class!

4. Review Your Notes

Looking over your notes from class and thinking about your corrections will help you become more aware of them when you head back to class.  If you don't take notes after class already, now is a great time to gather a notebook and start!

5. Watch a Dance Performance

Sit back, relax, and let someone else do the dancing!  Watching a dance performance will inspire you and remind you why you love to dance.  It is also a great way to take control of your dance education and learn about different forms of dance and revisit the classics.

Finally, don't forget to enjoy your break.  Dancing is so much fun but it is also nice to let your body relax and take a break from dancing for a few days.

Nail Polish Do's and Dont's for Dancers

Most female dancers enjoy spicing up their feet for modern class or sandals with some nail polish.  It is fun, festive, and a great way to make your feet look a little less beat up from the dance floor!  However, there are some dangers to wearing nail polish, especially for dancers.

The first danger of nail polish is the limited visibility of toenails whilst wearing it.  If you cannot see your toenail, there may be problems with your feet you are unaware of.  For example, your pretty polish may be covering up bruised toenails, which can be a great source of pain and may cause your nails to fall off!  Your polish could also be hiding fungal toenails. Fungal toenails can be spread in public areas, so you may be unknowingly passing it on to your friends in modern class on the hot marley floor. If you are unaware of the problem, there is no way you can fix it! The second danger of nail polish is the harsh chemicals in the polish and remover. Some polishes contain formaldehyde, which has been proven to be a carcinogen, and other dangerous chemicals.

 If you want to wear nail polish try Dr. Remedy's line of enriched polishes and removers.  You should also allow your nails at least one week out of the month to have fresh air and to check for any toenail problems the polish may be hiding. Dr. Remedy's enriched polish remover is available through the product store. If you notice any problems with your feet or toenails upon the removal of your polish, call our office at 419-423-1888 or visit our website to request an appointment. You should also make an appointment with your podiatrist if you notice any other problems with your feet, not just your toenails!

Dance Moms

The Cast of the New Series Dance Moms

The new lifetime reality series Dance Moms, showcases a dance studio, its dancers, and of course, their mothers.  The cameras follow the talented young dancers and their mothers to the studio and to their weekly competitions.  The show is the typical reality television show, filled with conflict, mothers out for blood, and a demanding dance teacher in black.  Once the viewer digs beneath the drama and fighting, he or she finds very talented young dancers working hard night after night.  However, all of this hard work is bound to take a toll on the young dancers.

The show depicted Brooke, a thirteen year old dancer going to see a doctor concerning an ailment in her hip.  The young girl was very mature in making the decision to see a doctor about her pain.  Young dancers should take notice of this mature behavior and see a doctor about pain, especially in their feet. Dancers should also alert their parents and teachers of their pain so they do not further injure themselves. Some common problems to look out for include Achilles tendinitis, sesamoidits, and plantar fasciitis.

ACHILLES TENDONITIS is the inflammation of the Achilles tendon, which attaches the calf muscle to the heel bone. Achilles tendonitis is first noticeable as a mild pain during and after exercise that gradually worsens with continued use. Running and jumping generally increase this pain, and feet may feel weak during repeated relevés and fast allegros. The tendon will often feel stiff until calf muscles warm up. Sometimes there is a point about an inch and a half above the heel bone that is tender to the touch. Achilles tendonitis is caused by tight and/or weak calf muscles, jumping without being fully warmed up, chronic rolling in and not putting heels down in successive relevés or when landing jumps.


If left untreated, inflammation of the tendon can irritate ankles and may cause a partial tendon tear or rupture. A rupture is an emergency requiring surgery. If the tendon ruptures, you won’t be able to stand or walk on the affected leg. Rehabilitating from a tear or rupture takes much longer than treatment for tendonitis.

To avoid injury or irritating an existing injury, maintain both flexibility and strength in calf muscles. Warm up calf muscles with ankle circles and by sitting with legs extended straight in front of you and pointing and flexing feet 30 times or more. Release tension from the calf muscles by stretching after every time you dance. Assess foot mechanics, taking care to put heels down during demi pliés, before taking off for and when landing from jumps. Stretching the calf muscle regularly will help to break the habit of popping heels.

SESAMOIDITIS is inflammation of the sesamoid bones, or the bones that move the big toe downwards.  It occurs on the bottom of the foot behind the big toe. It is caused by excess force on the bones or sudden upward movement of the toe.  Sesamoiditis may be treated with anti-inflammatory medication, cortisone injections, taping, or orthotics.

 PLANTAR FASCIITIS is a painful foot condition caused by inflammation of the plantar fascia, a thick band of connective tissue between the heel bone and the ball of the foot. When you walk, run and dance, this tissue transmits your weight through the foot. Plantar fasciitis causes pain on the bottom of the foot close to the heel. Discomfort is most acute when trying to walk first thing in the morning or after prolonged sitting. Many patients with plantar fasciitis also develop a heel spur—a protrusion of bone that can be seen in an X-ray jutting from the heel bone.

Pronation (rolling in), very high arches, sudden weight gain and tight Achilles tendons can all cause plantar fasciitis. Less common causes are poorly fitting shoes or running without warming up.
Left unattended, an inflamed plantar fascia will continue to pull on the bone spur, making it larger and more painful. Continued spur growth could require surgery.

To prevent plantar fasciitis, if you were born with high arches, regularly massage the bottoms of feet with a tennis ball. Maintain strong and flexible feet and ankles through daily exercises with an exercise band. When dancing, keep weight equally divided between the pads of the big and little toes and the heel. Also, your toes shouldn’t grip the floor when standing or in demi-pointe. Try the footroller depicted above, available at our product store.

If you are experiencing any bad pain in your feet or ankles or think you may be suffering from one of the conditions listed above, call our office at 419-423-1888 or visit our website to request an appointment.