Tango destroyed my feet

[blue]

Well, it's not as bad as it sounds. I can do pretty much anything, as long as I wear flats with insoles made for my feet. I don't suppose I will wear heels ever again, though. Some people's feet just aren't made for heels... nobody's feet are! of course, but some can take less than others.

I realise I should have gotten this sooner or later even without the tango. My mother has the same condition, and she got it without high heels - but in a job where she was more or less constantly on her feet. Also, she was close to 60. It is like my tango and my tango shoes made my feet age 25 years in six months... and still, I danced only once a week, sometimes more but it was pretty rare.

It is not like I'm a flatfoot. The back part of the arch is unusually high, which means it will never have any support in shoes with heels. This puts a lot of pressure on the front part of the arch, which gets pressed down. The tango position, leaning forward, makes it worse - so does heels. If you just continue, the damage is irreversible and surgery is the only help. I stopped the moment I realised I had a problem, though. When it comes to my body, I am a major coward.

Now I have my insoles, and am thinking of coming back to tango - in flats, always in flats. I don't have a choice, heels are not an option. I know some good dancers who dance both in flats and in heels, and say it is different and both have good sides. We'll see.

[pygmalion]

:shock: What happened? I know tango heels can be extremely high -- is that it? :?

[Shooshoo]

I also have pain in my feet all the time. I think I've used it too much (jogging, hiking, walking, etc.). I dance in heels 2-3 times a week and I work out the 3-4 times a week. I could physically work out/dance for more than 2 hours/day, but my feet just ache, even in cross-training shoes.

And of course they've become completely deformed, get blisters all the time. Sometimes I wish I could replace them.

Of course flats will give you less pain, but I find the problem more in the duration of using them, than in heels or no heels (I try to buy the best quality shoes as well).

[DancePoet]

I'm curious in both the situations described above as to what the problem is?

Has a doctor diagnosed what's going on?

Have orthodics been used or been helpful?

[blue]

:shock: What happened? I know tango heels can be extremely high -- is that it? :?

Not really! I never went for the sky high ones, and my mother got this condition when walking around all day long in flats... so it is partly inherited. I usually don't wear heels of any kind (Scandinavian women are known for almost always wearing comfy shoes) so tango is the only occasion where I've pressed myself over the limit when it comes to heels, so to speak. The AT position, leaning forward, makes it worse since this puts the pressure on the part of my feet where the major problem lies.

I have been told that those who get this condition generally belong to either of two groups: people who have it in the family, and dancers. OK, so both were true for me... This (http://web.telia.com/~u85541341/Nedsjunkna-framre-fotvalv.html) is in Swedish and won't say much to most of you. If I knew the English term, I could google and give you some info but I don't. It is a kind of flatfootedness, in a way, but affecting only the front part of the arch.

Has a doctor diagnosed what's going on?

Yes and no. The fast way to get those lovely rubber-like things I now always have in my shoes, every day, was to let an orhtopaed techinician take a video tape of me valking barefoot on a treadmill and make plaster castings of my feet. An orthopaedist then decided on treatment without even seeing me, just checking the "techical evidence". I had this done in a couple of weeks, while waiting for an appointment would have taken months. Those rubber-like things - i wrote insoles in my first post, but maybe that word is used only for simpler stuff? - are great! They save my feet from day to day. They are made from those plaster castings, and since I got them my feet havent bothered me at all from walking outdoors. What my feet don't like is walking without this artificial support for the arch, including barefoot. We Scandinavians have the habit tof taking our shoes off in our homes, but now I sometimes wear shoes - with my rubber-like things in them - also at home, because it keeps my feet happier.

Getting an appointment with an orthopaedist has been on my mind on and off, and I think it's time to have that done. I don't suppose that would yield another conclusion since I am happy about my treatment so far, and the place where I got my rubber things have a good reputaion - but if nothing else probably I can get more advice on daily life from an eye to eye consultaion.

Have orthodics been used or been helpful?


A google image search on orthodics (http://images.google.se/images?q=orthodics&hl=sv&btnG=S%C3%B6k+bilder) makes me suspect my rubber-like things might be called orthodics in English - nor sure though, most of the items look simpler than mine.

I have met a couple of suspicios faces from other women, especially young tango dancers, when telling about my problems. One of them even mentioned the word "hypochondria" to my face. I hardly believed my ears and probably looked extremely stupid for a second or two. In a way I can understand her - she dances maybe ten times more than I do, in higher heels, not dancing in flats parts of the evenings like I did, and sure she gets pain in her feet! but rest cures it. Why should I be any different? I guess this kind of things can be difficult for a young mind to comprehend. Older dancers however have told me to go easy on my body, telling stories about the women they know who litterally destroyed their feet by dancing too much and not stopping in time - most of them teachers, for obvious reasons. They feel the pressure to just go on.

So in a way, the major reason for my ailment is the design of my feet that I am born with - they aren't optimal. "Tango destroyed my feet" is an exaggeration, of course. I would have gotten this condition sooner or later - but it sure would have been nice if it had taken some 20 more years to develop it!

[blue]

I also have pain in my feet all the time.
Seing someone about it sounds like a good idea. Quite a few women have a slight tendency of what I have, and are helped by putting small things in their shoes supporting the front part of their arches like this (http://www.dansskor.se/Tillbehor/FitTpelott.jpg), both in flats and in heels. It usually takes some help to place them correctly, though. And of course your problem could be something completely else... but if you get help in time, you can avoid it getting worse.

[Sagitta]

I'll second the take care of your feet..your body....refrain...

I never undersatnd how and why women dance in heels, apart from being able to have less conatct on the ground and spin more easily etc, from what some followers have told me...

[Shooshoo]

Seing someone about it sounds like a good idea. Quite a few women have a slight tendency of what I have, and are helped by putting small things in their shoes supporting the front part of their arches like this (http://www.dansskor.se/Tillbehor/FitTpelott.jpg), both in flats and in heels. It usually takes some help to place them correctly, though. And of course your problem could be something completely else... but if you get help in time, you can avoid it getting worse.

Maybe I should see a doctor. I don't have the symptoms you have, but my feet are surely getting worse (pain-wise). I just accomodate to the pain by wearing adhesive cushions if I'll be walking for hours, plaster is one of my best friends, and I'm selective when shopping for shoes. I just thought that this is a pain many people who have used their feet much just live with.

[Joe]

They are orthotics!

[pygmalion]

I have met a couple of suspicios faces from other women, especially young tango dancers, when telling about my problems. One of them even mentioned the word "hypochondria" to my face. I hardly believed my ears and probably looked extremely stupid for a second or two. In a way I can understand her - she dances maybe ten times more than I do, in higher heels, not dancing in flats parts of the evenings like I did, and sure she gets pain in her feet! but rest cures it. Why should I be any different? I guess this kind of things can be difficult for a young mind to comprehend. Older dancers however have told me to go easy on my body, telling stories about the women they know who litterally destroyed their feet by dancing too much and not stopping in time - most of them teachers, for obvious reasons. They feel the pressure to just go on.

So in a way, the major reason for my ailment is the design of my feet that I am born with - they aren't optimal. "Tango destroyed my feet" is an exaggeration, of course. I would have gotten this condition sooner or later - but it sure would have been nice if it had taken some 20 more years to develop it!

I hear what you're saying. Everybody's feet are different, so yeah, it makes sense to me that the natural shape of your foot, your bone structure, etc, would affect how your feet react to stresses.

It's amazing how insensitive some people can be. The woman who mentioned hypochondria? Really. Just because she doesn't have a foot problem (yet ... that she knows of ) doesn't excuse her rudeness. :evil:

Are you planning to see a podiatrist? Mine doesn't do much, by way of therapies. He comes from the "preventative medicine" mindset. But he has given me a few recommendations of things I can do to minimize the stresses on my feet, day to day. They're mostly obvious, common-sense things, of course -- like your plan to wear comfy shoes. Not sure why I didn't think of that before he told me. :oops: :lol:

btw, nice to see you back, blue. :D

[Shooshoo]

But he has given me a few recommendations of things I can do to minimize the stresses on my feet, day to day.

Any good recommendations?

[Pathological Dancer]

My DW uses sneakers during practice and high heels when we go out dancing. I think dance sneakers can support the arch better and much softer on the balls of the feet. I know that there are regular shoes, probably customized which incorporates an insole for high arched feet. It is possible to use this type of insole for closed high heel shoes. I am not so sure if you can use it in open strap type of high heels. Just to be sure there is nothing serious it is probably best to see a doctor first.

[DancePoet]

Yes and no. The fast way to get those lovely rubber-like things I now always have in my shoes, every day, was to let an orhtopaed techinician take a video tape of me valking barefoot on a treadmill and make plaster castings of my feet. An orthopaedist then decided on treatment without even seeing me, just checking the "techical evidence". I had this done in a couple of weeks, while waiting for an appointment would have taken months. Those rubber-like things - i wrote insoles in my first post, but maybe that word is used only for simpler stuff? - are great! They save my feet from day to day. They are made from those plaster castings, and since I got them my feet havent bothered me at all from walking outdoors. What my feet don't like is walking without this artificial support for the arch, including barefoot. We Scandinavians have the habit tof taking our shoes off in our homes, but now I sometimes wear shoes - with my rubber-like things in them - also at home, because it keeps my feet happier.

Getting an appointment with an orthopaedist has been on my mind on and off, and I think it's time to have that done. I don't suppose that would yield another conclusion since I am happy about my treatment so far, and the place where I got my rubber things have a good reputaion - but if nothing else probably I can get more advice on daily life from an eye to eye consultation.
Seems like you are on the right track if those innersoles are working. :D


A google image search on orthodics (http://images.google.se/images?q=orthodics&hl=sv&btnG=S%C3%B6k+bilder) makes me suspect my rubber-like things might be called orthodics in English - nor sure though, most of the items look simpler than mine.

I have met a couple of suspicios faces from other women, especially young tango dancers, when telling about my problems. One of them even mentioned the word "hypochondria" to my face. I hardly believed my ears and probably looked extremely stupid for a second or two. In a way I can understand her - she dances maybe ten times more than I do, in higher heels, not dancing in flats parts of the evenings like I did, and sure she gets pain in her feet! but rest cures it. Why should I be any different? I guess this kind of things can be difficult for a young mind to comprehend. Older dancers however have told me to go easy on my body, telling stories about the women they know who litterally destroyed their feet by dancing too much and not stopping in time - most of them teachers, for obvious reasons. They feel the pressure to just go on.

So in a way, the major reason for my ailment is the design of my feet that I am born with - they aren't optimal. "Tango destroyed my feet" is an exaggeration, of course. I would have gotten this condition sooner or later - but it sure would have been nice if it had taken some 20 more years to develop it!
Ah! So tango just shortened the process. Bummer. Hopefully the steps (no pun intended) you are taking will significantly lessen your pain and permit you to keep dancing.

Gosh, I got to imagine that it would really be a huge bummer if I had to stop dancing because of my body not being able to handle it, yet I supose this could be a possiblity some day. Still, what a yucky thought. :(

[DancePoet]

Maybe I should see a doctor. I don't have the symptoms you have, but my feet are surely getting worse (pain-wise). I just accomodate to the pain by wearing adhesive cushions if I'll be walking for hours, plaster is one of my best friends, and I'm selective when shopping for shoes. I just thought that this is a pain many people who have used their feet much just live with.
It is probably a good idea to have it checked just in case. Perhaps orthotics could help your situation, too?

[blue]

Went to another orthopedic-technician shop, had new castings off my feet and new orthotics made. At this place they do a lot more drastic ortotics - that bulge that is supposed the front part of my arch to sink down are a lot larger than the previous ones. It takes a while to get used to them, but I am on my way so it is OK. It seems this orthopedics shop is better than the two others I went two. One of them was a complete charlatan, who tried to sell me ready-made stuff to put in my shoes for more money than the real, custom-made cost :shock: The charlatan also said wearing heels was no problem at all, on the contrary it was good for me - that's what made me suspicious in the first run.

I finally have gotten a appointment with a medical doctor specialised in feet, in a couple of weeks. It will be interesting to hear what he sais - my guess is he will have nothing much to add than I should use the ortotics I now wear, but we'll see.

[pygmalion]

Castings of your feet? How does that work?


And best of luck with the whole process. :? Let me know how it goes. :cool:

[blue]

Castings of your feet? How does that work?

Oh, I probably use the wrong terminology... they use plaster to cover your feet (http://www.berkshirepodiatry.com/BerkshirePodiatryCtr/DSC05368v1_orthotics4_HanginOutToDry_300q30.jpg), like a mask on a face. These are removed before completely dry, otherwise it would be difficult to remove them, and when they have dried they are used as forms for casting (if that is the right word) plaster images of your feet. Those plaster feet are in turn used, together with data on how you walk etc., to design orthotics. I believe this is pretty much standard procedure.

[pygmalion]

That's the right word. :cool: I was just wondering how you get the casts off your feet without breaking them. Now I know that they get taken off before they'er dry. That makes a lot of sense. :cool: :lol:

[blue]

Of course the shape gets slightly distorted when you take them off while halv-dry, but it does not matter since the only part that is needed is the actual sole. The sides of the feet and actually the entiry toe area is not needed.