I've been dancing on pointe for 3 years and whenever I break in new shoes, I get horrible, painful blisters on my pinkie toes, and it always takes much longer than the other people in my class to break them in properly. Can anyone give me any tips to speed up and ease up the process? (I wear Bloch Sonata 1/2 Shanks)
2006-08-31 06:17:05 · 12 answers · asked by beach_blondie56 2 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Dancing
you should walk around with them on in your free time and let your feet get used to them and let your feet sweat in them a little but this will help make the shoes form to your feet shape so they will be more comfortable. If your shank is still stiff you can put them in the door and close the door while trying to put an arch in the shoes. (don't do it too hard thought!!) --just a little nice firm pressure on the shoe and door....that will help some but the best way of course is to just "Practice and Dance" in them.
2006-08-31 08:35:14 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
bend the shoes, walk a round in the them the most you can, and at night stuff the inside of them with your choice, socks or whatever, so them kind of form. after 2-3 days it should be a lot easier on you feet and pinky toe. To take care of the toe, wrap it with some tape and gauze (like someone said i think) and it should help.
Also seeing if you are doing the right warm ups and stretches and maybe do some or more stretches for your feet than normal for new shoes. hope i helped!
2006-08-31 20:08:25 · answer #2 · answered by Norah 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Maybe the Bloch's are not the right shoe for you. maybe you should get refitted and explain to the fitter you have problems with your pinkie toe. there are so many different types of shoes out there for different types of feet. Maybe switch to a shoe with a wider box, to accomodate for all your toes. If you are using a gel pad, switch to one with a lining over it, or the wool pads. Try to focus your weight on your big toe while you are on pointe, becuase you may be leaning too much weight to your pinkie toe.
2006-08-31 17:17:13 · answer #3 · answered by chelley 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
a lot of the people on here have told you to wear pads and things but i've found (from several years of experience) that the best way to break in pointe shoes is to just bear through the pain. put band-aids or that gushie waterproof tape that Nexcare makes (the girls at my studio call it "toe tape") on the spots where you typically get the blisters if you can't take the pain. also-some thin padding will help but dont overdo it or your feet will never get strong. but if you work through it you will build up calluses and they will protect your feet whenever you where your pointe shoes.
also; soak your feet after classes and shows.
GOOD LUCK!!!!!
2006-08-31 22:48:21 · answer #4 · answered by runningballerina 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Massage the point with your hands to soften it (a man can do it better) and get medical tape (johnson and johnson) and wrap it around the part of your pinkie toe that gets blisters. I always used the top of a sock and a folded tissue to fill the pointe (instead of lamb's wool) because it usually stayed in place better. Good luck.
2006-08-31 16:34:25 · answer #5 · answered by speakthetruth 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It sounds like your problem is more in the padding... or perhaps because your shoes aren't broken in properly your compensating and putting too much pressure on that toe.
I live by my Bunheads ouch pouches and jelly toes!
And if you're having a really difficult time breaking them in, try holding a blow dryer on them for a minute before bending them. It will help to soften the shank a little so it's easier to bend without snaping.
2006-08-31 20:12:49 · answer #6 · answered by jamiesacademyofdance 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
well, toe pands do help. A good way to break them in is to wear them around the house like there just regular shoes. You might also want to pratice more in them so that the break in faster. Oh, and it also helps if you work them with your hands.
2006-08-31 15:17:40 · answer #7 · answered by dreamer456 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Gel padding and cotton work best when dancing. To break them in, wear them around the house. Put big socks over them so they won't get dirty.
Go to dancedistributors.com and subscribe to their free catalog. There are great deals and good accessories for your problems.
2006-08-31 20:54:46 · answer #8 · answered by MissKate 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i wear the same shoes, and i just ask my teacher to bend my shoes for me and it makes breaking in the shoes a lot easier. (i have been dancing on pointe for 5 years now)
2006-08-31 18:17:47 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't know, but my ballerina friend would put cotton inside the shoes to help prevent blisters. But she also would use a new pair of shoes every day of performance, because she said they were best when new. Why would you want to break them in?
2006-08-31 13:28:24 · answer #10 · answered by dahfna 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋