Level 3 Understanding and Managing

Foot Injuries in Dancers

For Dance Teachers and Health Professionals

Do your dancers struggle with frequent foot and ankle injuries that put them out of action at the worst possible times?

What if there was a way to prevent many common injuries, and ensure the best possible healing of any current issues?

Our Level 3 – Foot and Ankle workshop is a 3 day, in-depth exploration of the dancers foot, as well as the influences of dynamic hip stability and functional core control on foot dynamics. It is perfect for Heath Practitioners who work with dancers, as well as high level dance teachers. You will leave armed with many tools and techniques to help dancers suffering with all types of foot injuries, specifically:

Plantar Fascia Pain
Posterior Impingement
Os Trigonum
Tibialis Posterior Tendinopathy
Achilles Tendinopathy
Sever's Disease
Stress Fractures
Bunions
“Shin Splits”

What's Included

18 hours of teaching spread over 3 Days. A combination of practical and theoretical components.
Course Schedule. For a detailed outline of what is covered on each day, please review the daily schedules below.
Materials Provided:
- A detailed printed manual which includes both the theoretical components and practical exercises discussed in the course.
- 1x roll of Dynamic Tape to practice the taping techniques demonstrated during the workshop.
- 1 x pot of massage cream
Additional resources. We have curated several specific Injury Management Guides to help you understand and manage issues such as Posterior Impingement that your dancers maybe experiencing. You will also receive Assessment Sheets and Home Exercise Plans to track their progress.
Unlimited access to the online Members Area. After the workshop will you be given access to the Level Three Foot Injuries Members area, giving you lifetime access to numerous pre-recorded videos as well as the assessment sheets & student workbook.
Lunch & Snacks Included. The course fee also covers lunch and snacks for the two days. Vegetarian, gluten and dairy free options are provided, however if you have any major food allergies or restrictions it is advised to self cater.
CEC Accreditation. After the workshop, you will be emailed the CEC Accreditation Application Form, which is designed as an overview of the online course in order for you to appropriately claim CEC credits with your governing body for 18 contact hours of continued education.

For the latest dates and information on upcoming courses CLICK HERE or check out the individual listings at the bottom of this page.

L3 Foot Product Image -functional Anatomy

L3 Foot Product Image -Optimal Management

L3 Foot Product Image - taping techniques

Feedback from Participants:

Overview of the in-person workshop:

Day One

The Normal Foot - First up we focus on understanding how a normal foot works. As Leonardo da Vinci said “The human foot is a masterpiece of engineering and a work of art.” When working properly, it allows us to run, jump and dance in the most extraordinary ways. The many bones, joints, ligaments, fascia and muscles of the foot are organised in a way that allows shock absorption, dynamic propulsion and balance in all kinds of positions.

Functional Anatomy - We dive into the functional anatomy of the foot as it pertains to the dancer. This includes learning about the bones, ligaments, tendons, muscles and fascial lines that lead into the foot. We explore the various anatomical variations that you may see in a regular class of dancers, and how to tailor the class and their conditioning exercises for optimal performance.

Assessing the Dancer - The assessment is focused on identifying any alterations from normal function that may be contributing to a dancer's foot or ankle injury. Being able to identify these as early as possible can help avoid the development or progression of many injuries, as well as allowing the efficient design of an effective rehab program. This is a critical part of the process, so we will review and refine the assessment process over the course, ensuring you leave feeling confident in assessing your dancers feet by the completion of the course.

Day Two

Reviewing the Assessment: On day 2 & 3 we start by reviewing the assessment process covered in day 1 on a new model. Working in small groups you will master the art of identifying possible contributing factors and preparing an intevention plan.

Optimal Management of Foot Injuries - This section covers effective hands-on treatment techniques and self-treatment options for different dysfunctions. We explore the appropriate use of various taping techniques, orthotic prescription and immobilisation strategies and practice the application of each technique, so you feel comfortable using them when necessary. We will discuss the optimal management of a dancer when engaged with physical therapy and look at resources to help create clear and open communication between therapists and the dance teacher. Collaboration between both sides of the dancers training are vital in optimal resolution of any injury.

Common Foot Injuries - The rest of the day is entirely focussed on understanding and managing the common foot injuries that pop up in a dance class, the reasons why these conditions occur, as well as taping and treatment strategies to quickly remove the symptoms. Injuries covered include:

Plantar Fascia Pain
Pain at the back of the ankle
Sever's Disease
Stress Fractures
Bunions
"Shin Splints"

Day Three

Exercise Rehabilitation - The rehab exercises required for each individual will differ based on the findings in their assessment. The prescription of specific exercises needs to be carefully planned in conjunction with a dancer's return to class in order for them to recover as quickly as possible. These rehab exercises can also be used with non-injured dancers as part of their ongoing dance conditioning program within the studio.

Returning to Class - This is one of the most crucial stages in managing dancers foot injuries, as a thorough and detailed return to class plan will help the dancer return to class safely and preventing recurrence of the same injury in the future. We look at the common pitfalls of returning to class too quickly, along with a 12 stage process to keep dancers engaged during the rehab process, and provide templates that can be customised based on the age and experience of the dancer, as well as their particular set of contributing factors. We explore examples of rehab programs for dancers, ranging from complete non-weight-bearing to full participation in class, along with all of the resources to help dancers track their own journey.

How to Prevent Injuries Longterm - Finally, we look at strategies to prevent these injuries in all dancers, by implementing screening tests and progressively graded programs during the dancers regular training. This section includes choreographed exercise sequences specifically designed to prevent injury.

You will leave the course feeling very confident in implementing this style of progressive program with your dancers.