I dance jazz and ballet,recently Ive been getting bad foot cramps,any excercise to stop this?

Question

Also, I have more muscle in my right thigh than my left, why is this happening? Any tips?
Answers from dancers please,
Thanks..

Answer 1

Low potassium is absolutely correct - eat more bannanas and potatoes. "THE NOTHING" is not very well informed apparently. Don't buy into their scare tactics.

Soak in epsom salts and also massage the metatarsals in your feet, for relief from the pain. Stretch your calves and achilles and tibial major/minor.

Also, as a side note, look at how you are standing, at the barre and away from the barre. Make sure that all five toes are on the floor equally. I notice that dancers that complain of foot cramping are aften prone to rolling inward on their metatarsals (arches). In first position and parrallel test your weight by slightly pronating your ankles from side to side. Shift your weight over to the big toes side to the little toe side....then put your weight in the middle between the 2-3rd toe (where it should be). Check that while standing and doing the dishes as well (or another mundane standing activity), however you may be standing. By rolling inward you are increasing your risk of loosing your arch all together. It is just something to be aware of.

Answer 2

You could soak your feet. Preferably Epsom salts and warmish water like mentioned above.
After the soak stand in first position and demi-plié. After, lift up the heels like you would if you were grand-plié and then straighten the knees (so you should be on half point with straight knees). Then go back to standing on your feet flat. This may seem confusing, but now do it backwards.
Go to first position.
Then half point.
Demi-plié (still on half point though).
Then back to flat (still keeping the knees bent from the plié).
And finally straighten your knees.
Also try doing it on second position too. You can try fifth and fourth (maybe even third- haha) but it's mostly practiced in first and second because those two are the most effective.
Do that a couple times, preferably hanging on to a barre or counter or something to keep balance. I do this all the time while brushing my teeth at the sink.

You can also try something else.
Go to first position.
Tondu right foot. The left foot should be relaxed and on flat.
Then go to half point.
Keep shifting to your right gradually until that foot cannot support you anymore. (So basically you're leaning to the right with the foot on half point and on plié. Remember to keep the left leg straight).
Then shift your weight back to the middle of your body (While you shift back to the middle, your right leg should naturally straighten since no weight is put on it).
The right foot should be on tondu, half pointed.
Full point it.
Return to first position.
Then repeat with the left foot.

Also try pointing and flexing your feet while sitting down on the floor and keep both feet together.

Answer 3

"The most common causes of muscle cramps are: a lack of potassium or calcium in our bodies, and muscle strain. They may also be due to poor circulation or to some neurological diseases. You should first see your family doctor for a complete physical exam with blood tests. If all is well, then you may need custom-made orthotics to protect these muscles, and properly support your feet.

Answer 4

Your getting bad cramps because your human feet aren't supposed to be walking on the tops of their toes.

Your messing up your feet for the rest of your life. That is why this is happening.

When you get older, you will have to have your feet broken (ALL THE BONES IN YOUR FEET) and reset so that you can walk. And it might still be painful for the rest of your life.

Quit ballet. Jazz isn't quite as horrible.

p.s. there's no exercise to help

Answer 5

I'm not a dancer but I do know that low potassium levels can cause cramping. How's your diet? Bananas are a good source of K if you're lacking.

Answer 6

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Answer 7

I agree with the person who said low potassium causes cramping. Potatoes are a good source of potassium.

Answer 8

you could be getting cramps because of your diet or you're getting varicose veins or something else...i tend to get cramps alot when i havn't stretched properly...try stretching for 15 minutes before you start dancing and after as well...

Answer 9

Right thigh... you probably do point and the for the arabesques you balance on your right leg. exercise more on your left leg(arabesques, pirouettes, jumps etc) to even it out.

Answer 10

Soak in Epsom salts and HOT water.