Dance the Night Away Without Metatarsalgia

Twisting, twirling, dipping—social dancing is a great way to stay active, keep your body moving, and enjoy a night out. Times and dance moves have changed over the years, but people still love to swirl when the music gets going. Of course, dancing can stress your feet and aggravate issues like metatarsalgia. Having ball of the foot pain doesn’t mean you have to hang up your dancing shoes, though. Conservative foot care can keep you twirling pain-free.

Metatarsalgia is a common overuse problem that causes aching, burning pain in the ball of the foot. More accurately, it’s a generic term for specific conditions of the feet that create inflammation in the forefoot, where the metatarsal bones meet the toes. Pressure and repetitive impacts, like those you might experience dancing, often contribute to it.

However, a little care can go a long way to protect the ball of the foot and alleviate pressure on the forefoot. Here are some simple ways to take care of pain in the balls of your feet:

• Wear Good Shoes – Whether you’re dancing or not, wear shoes that support your feet and have cushioning through the sole to help you absorb pressure on your forefoot. Although some ballroom dancers wear high heels, steer clear of these. They’ll just make the pain worse.
• Use Insoles and Arch Supports – Sometimes shoes are not enough. Arch supports can help better distribute pressure through your foot. Custom orthotics can correct any biomechanical issues as well as cushion you.
• Try Pads – Sometimes using little pads just under the ball of the foot can be enough to alleviate some of the painful pressure on the ball of the foot.
• Ice the Painful Spot – When it aches, massage the painful spot with some ice. This reduces inflammation and relieves the discomfort.

Dancing isn’t as difficult as you think, and neither is handling your metatarsalgia. You can still enjoy evenings out and keep your feet comfy. If you have persistent discomfort, let our team at Advanced Foot & Ankle Specialists of Arizona know right away. You can call (480) 963-9000 or fax (480) 963-0375 to reach our office.