Dance Tips - Top 10 for taking care of your feet
Essential Shoe and Foot health Tips For Dancers’
As a dancer, you will have to pay attention a lot to your shoes. After all, they are the only real equipment for dancers, everything else is down to you. Additionally, there is no doubt that you need to especially care for your feet. That’s why we bring you 10 essential tips for looking after you shoes and feet to make sure you protect them.
Are your shoes a bit too tight?
If your shoes are a bit too tight, one method for you is putting plastic bags with water in the toe of each shoe. When the water freezes in them, your shoes will be expanded and stretched. Another way you can consult is spraying rubbing alcohol on the inside of the shoes. Then, it will soften the shoes, and you needn’t worry about damaging it. Of course, your shoes will stretch to fit your foot. Besides, you can also use a hair dryer before wearing to heat the inside of the shoe. Your shoes will stretch thanks to the heat as well as the pressure of the socks.
Having pain in the ball of your feet?
You may not know a medical tape can help you in this case. In fact, if you tape your third and fourth toes together with medical tape, the pressure on the nerve will be lessened. Also, you can use a 1-inch thick sheet of foam. Then, cut 2 pieces to the size of your feet to slip inside your shoes. That will be a great cushion. Moreover, you can easily replace them when the foam gets too flat.
Are your favorite shoes getting a bit smelly?
If your shoes get a bit smelly, you just need to put dry tea bags into the shoe after wearing them. That will help to absorb odor. Make sure you dry it properly by alternating your shoes every day, especially when you have to practice hard every day to prevent some blisters. Also, you can put your shoes in a plastic and put it in the freezer. Then, the germs are killed by the cold without causing odor.
Got blisters?
Remember that green tea is the best option thanks to the anti-inflammatory properties it has. Therefore, you should bathe your feet in tea. To avoid blisters, you need to put deodorant on your feet before you dance. Although gel deodorant is the best for your feet, spray deodorant is easier to use. And, it also works well. Moisture and friction may be the reason causing blisters or soft corns between your toes. To prevent this problem, we recommend you to wrap the toes in soft gauze.
Got dry feet or cracked soles?
If your feet get dry or cracked soles, you should soak your feet in the mixture of ½ cup of baking soda and 3 cups of warm water. That will help you. Another effective way for a bit cracked is soaking your feet in 1 cup vinegar and 3 cups water. Plus, soak your feet the mixture of 1 cup of vinegar, 1 cup of Listerine mouthwash, and 2 cups of water to smoother feet.
Have a foot cramp?
When you have to face to a foot cramp, don’t forget to put all of your weight on the foot. Then, bend your knees slightly. It’s essential to get enough vitamins and minerals such as vitamin D, potassium, magnesium, and calcium in order to prevent cramps. Also, you need to be hydrated before dancing.
Calluses
They may not be harmful to dancers. This condition makes the hardest working parts of your feet as well as stronger able to handle pressure without any pain. You should keep them trimmed if calluses are overly thick because they can cause pain. Thus, you need to pumice them down or file them. However, you should also know that calluses may help you protect against blisters and abrasions.
Cut your toenails short, and straight across
It’s important to keep your nail straight across. If your nails are curved or too long, they may lead to ingrown toenails. The ideal length of your nails should be where the white part begins.
Don’t wear toenail polish
In fact, you can’t see any problem under the nail as a bruised or ingrown nail if you wear toenail polish. Therefore, you just should wear polish when taking it for special events. A clear polish is also a great choice for you to see the nail.
Conclusion
In conclusion, your foot is one of the most complex parts of your body. Especially, they come with many purposes as balance, support, and propulsion. So, it’s important to keep our feet in good working order.
Written by Evelyn Welch, author of the Foot Wind > https://footwind.net/best-tennis-shoes-for-standing-all-day/