Expert: Dianne M. Buxton - 10/22/2008

Question
Hi,
Just wondering if you could help me out with my pointe technique. my right leg gives me no problem. but my left...it doesn't seem to want to go completely 'over' or properly up, it seems to be halfway up. and when i do try and force my ankle up, i get this slight pain on the outside of my ankle by the ankle bone. any advice on strengthing exercises to help my left ankle get up on a full pointe? thanks so much

Answer
Hi Joanne. Here is a link to an article I wrote about increasing ankle flexibility.

http://balletshoesandpointeshoes.blogspot.com/2008/09/how-to-create-more-flexibi...

I recommend that you get your left foot checked by an activator chiropractor. You can look at www.activator.com for one near you. When the foot or ankle bones get out of alignment the foot won't function quite properly. If you are feeling the pain because of a soft tissue sprain or strain, you will get some instruction on how to heal it.

The Perfect Pointe Book is a wealth of information on strengthening for pointe work. There is a link to the author's information about it on the article page I gave you above. It is a reference manual you will use as long as you dance. The author explains foot anatomy with pictures, video and exercise routines.

I hope you do see someone about your left foot. It seems that there is an obstruction to its complete movement, and you certainly cannot continue pointe work without getting fully up on pointe.

Let me know if you any other questions, all the best, Dianne