New Ballroom Dance Instructor and my feet are killing me! How do I stop it?

Question

This is something I hear you never get used to , that your feet will always hurt. I am not used to dancing 8 hours in high heels and it hurts. That is the nature of the business, however, this question is for all of the dancers out there, is there a way to make then stop hurting? Is there something I could use in my shoe or something?

Answer 1

If you are teaching in heels - you should switch to "practice" shoes. Wear foam or gel insoles, you can buy them at any drug store. You need smaller heel and more cushioning to protect your feet from stress. You can't wear your regular competition/performance pair for 8 hours, and there is absolutely no reason for doing so - you don't need that hight-performance shoe for teahcing.

Consider different shoe brands with more cushioning. Supadance is my favorite, but people say that Standard shoe by Stephanie has a lot of cushioning: http://featherdanceshoes.com

Keep several pairs of different style shoes with you and switch them between the lessons.

Some people teach in jazz shoes.

Use hot and cold feet baths: have two basins of water, one hot and one cold. Put your feet in hot water for 3 min, then switch to cold, then to hot again. Finish with cold.
Get a foot creme, don't use any old body lotion. Apply foot creme in the evening, after the foot bath. Body lotion might make your feet more prone to blisters.

Answer 2

I certainly agree that there is absolutely no reason to teach in 2.5" heels. I'm a guy and even I teach in jazz sneakers. Ballroom shoes are too uncomfortable to teach in for 8 hours. No one makes a shoe with enough padding. Some are better than others. Supadance and Freed have always been my favorite brands. For the love of God and all that is holy, don't waste your money on Coast or Capezio.

Whoever told you that you don't get used to it has oversensitive feet. :P You certainly do get used to it and this is coming from someone who used to teach in $30 character shoes for the first year of his career. Talk about foot pain! Understand that your feet will always hurt a little bit ... especially on party nights, but you will be used to it if you continue to practice all the time when you aren't teaching and make sure your feet stay in shape.

Answer 3

Well, for first time dancers (especially if you are wearing high heels) it is usually better to wear the shoes you will be dancing in about two weeks before you actually dance in them. Not very long, just around the house. The do make gel pads to put in your shoes, so that might help. When I danced, I bought foot masks (sounds ridiculous but works) at a drug store near my home that brought out the heat in my feet, and that really helped. Just soak your feet in warm water, and try not to walk on them tonight. Good luck with your dancing!

Answer 4

Right here goes-
first wear your shoes in- it helps if they are loose, especially if they are new
If they are not new you may need a different size, ill fitting shoes are not a good idea
There is a new product on the market called paws. Go to its website, or type it in on google. Its a pad for your feet. its mainly used for barefoot dancing but can be used in ballroom shoes too! www.dancepaws.com

Answer 5

Take the bother out of trying to do all of this on your own, get an appointment to have a pedicure and foot massage. Tell the attendant what you want done to your feet. Plan to stay at the Salon for at least one and a half hours. Enjoy.

Answer 6

The gel pads are fab and really help.

Every night soak your feet in warm water and massage some moisturiser in or if can get someone else to massage them for you - even better!

Eventually your feet will get used to it.

Answer 7

gel pads yopu can put in your shoes that are sole shaped and many sizes. varying tyoes available in supermarkets and health shops

Answer 8

massage your feet in aqueous it works

Answer 9

Contact police.....immediately if not sooner!