How to Dance the Night Away – Without Injuries!
Female dancers face a wide range of health issues during their professional careers, mainly because of the physical stresses and mental pressures placed upon them. These health issues range from bone injuries to menstrual irregularities that arise from the intense physical requirements, environmental demands, and intensive training of their profession. Indeed, female dancers are on equal footing with the best athletes in contact sports.
If you are a female dancer, you are also well-advised to contact a sports medicine professional at any of our clinics, such as the one at La Mirada by Whittier, La Habra, Norwalk, Cerritos, Buena Park, and Santa Fe Springs.
Keep in mind that you must always promptly address your health issues since these can adversely affect your performance on stage. For example, if you have joint stiffness, or muscle weakness, or stress fractures, you are not only increasing your risks for more serious injuries but you will be unable to deliver your best performance.
What are the most common health issues that you are likely to face in your career?
- Acute and chronic bone-related injuries, an umbrella category for a wide array of injuries including stress and non-stress fractures on the lower limbs, degenerative arthritis, and tears in the muscle, tendons and ligaments. The most commonly affected sites of injury are the back, hips, knees, ankles and feet.
Because dancers spend more time in rehearsals than in stage performances, the large majority of their injuries occur during class or practice. This initiates a domino effect that can halt any dancer’s career, such as missing months of classes or missing a career-defining performance.
- Eating disorders, such as bulimia and anorexia, are common among female dancers mainly because of the pressure to keep their weight down. Studies have shown that these eating disorders may be more common on the national level than in regional dance schools, perhaps due to the increased level of competition.
These eating disorders can increase the risks for bone-related injuries. Think about it: When the body in general and the bones in particular are deficient in calories, these become weak and, thus, more prone to bone fractures and muscle tears, among others.
You should never dismiss your symptoms regardless of how minor these may seem at first. Your body is telling you something so listen to it so that you can enjoy more years of a successful dance career.
Do you have dance-related injuries? Call any of our Healthpointe clinics, such as the one at Garden Grove by Stanton, Santa Ana, and Westminster for proper medical attention today.
Healthpointe is a leading multidisciplinary healthcare organization offering a full range of medical services in practice locations throughout Southern California (Los Angeles County, Orange County, San Bernardino County, and Riverside County). Healthpointe has locations situated in over 10 cities in Southern California including Garden Grove by Stanton, Santa Ana, and Westminster. As a highly regarded musculoskeletal group, we have a personal investment in the highest level of service, and we are proud of our record of excellence over the last four decades with private patients, injured workers, urgent care, personal injuries, and professional and non-professional athletes. Leading our organization is a dynamic team of healthcare professionals who continually strive to be at the forefront of medical innovation and healthcare service delivery. For more information, a complete list of services, and Healthpointe locations, visit Healthpointe.net.