Dance and Gymnastics

There are no two sports that require more foot and ankle care than Dance and Gymnastics. Melbourne Sports Podiatry has worked with many different women and men in all styles of dance and gymnastics, with an understanding of how vital the feet are to the balance and aesthetics of movement.

Furthermore, with the latest research now showing a diversification of sports at a young age helping in the reduction of injury, it’s imperative to have someone with skills specific knowledge not only in dance but in other sports as well to help broaden the bodies ability to adapt to change.

Dance, especially ballet, requires girls and boys at an early age to develop strong intrinsic strength within their feet to help progress from Demi pointe to Pointe. Furthermore having strong feet in all different styles of dance is vital to hold shape and maintain the aesthetics of the movement or pose. We understand with our dancers performing regularly and professionally that there is a constant need for foot and ankle care to help ensure our dancers can continue holding form throughout their training and routine.

For our gymnasts, especially floor gymnasts, the ability to absorb shock in the feet and recoil back out into a powerful bound or aerial manoeuvre is directly correlated to how well the feet and ankles are able to balance on landing and rebound through quality joint mobility and power. We understand that our gymnasts need their feet to work lightly and powerfully when executing skills and thus we provide many different balance, strength and mobility exercises as part of our treatment plans.

On top of this for our junior dancers and gymnasts who are growing fast and endeavouring to impress, the alignment of the foot and ankle is vital to help sustain training efficiencies as they begin to do more representative level training alongside their school commitments and sometimes additional sporting commitments.