Expert: treivilo - 5/12/2009

Question
I have a student with flat feet & has been dancing en pointe for about 1 1/2 years now!  She is very frustrated with her progress because she tends to sickle her feet while up on pointe causing her to stand to the back of her box instead of forward (weight over small toe vs. over big).  I have suggested exercises to help develop positive habits with turn-out, strength & flexibility, but was wondering if there are special exercises for those with flat feet experiencing the same type of problems!?!  

I also suggested that she wrap her ankle with sports tape & pre-wrap vs. an ace bandage or ankle brace (these tend to limit her flexibility due to the bulkiness!  I'm not certain exactly how to suggest she wrap it - do you have any suggestions?

Thank you for your help - bless you for your suggestions!

Have a blessed week,
Melodie Wiggs
Owner/Director for
"A Time to Dance" Studio
(979) 297-4723  

Answer
Good evening Melody,

First of all, as English is not my primary language, please forgive my typos and grammar errors :-)

Before answering such a largely asked question, please let me remind what the foot is, and how complicated it can be.

In short, a foot is made of 26 bones (25  of a human body's bones are in a foot), 33 joints, more than 100 muscles, tendons and ligaments.

Yes, a foot is pretty more complicated than any other human part, and I will answer your question with answers (yes, yes, answers) and also questions, I think we will need to start a discussion.

Most often, so called flat feet are mostly not strong (or too strong) feet. The dancer can not really control the way she puts her own weight over her toes, and fails to gain en "en-pointe" balance. Too strong feet are the opposite, the dancer is able to over control her weight, and she spends more time controlling her weight's spreading over her toes than balancing, as many of her feet muscles are able to handle the weight.

You explain me that your student has been en pointe for 1 1/2 year, so I will consider she may be a bit not strong enough (case #1) and will try to help you help her on this basis.

So, the over all goal is to let her gain more control over her feet muscles (mostly the extensor  muscle and tendons). This must be a game, and the good news is that it actually is one.

First exercise is the "Grab the ball" one ; Simple, the dancer is standing up, and tries to grab a ball (tennis, soccer, golf, ping pong, ...) with nothing but the help of the bottom of her feet. What is interesting with this exercise is that it has a playfull and sort of funny side.

Next one will make her work both her feet strength and her balance. Called "stand on the ball", the goal is to have the dancer stands with her 2 feet on a ball (soccer ball this time) as long as possible. First, have her perform this barefoot, then with socks, then with slippers then, finally, with pointe shoes. Please note, as she may fall while performing this exercise, always have someone next to her and have her to it on  a safe floor (practice carpet for example).

Other exercise is to have her roll her feet over a coke (or any drink) metal can. This will for her to curve her foot, and the result of this simple exercise are usually spectacular.

Now, my questions to you ;

- What sort of pointe shoes does she wear (brand, model and hardness) ? Usually, students want to use very soft pointe shoes, this makes her feet look nicer, but also makes her feet lazy :-)
- May you provide me a photo of her bare feet, wearing slippers flat feet, wearing slippers with arched feet (not arch forced, natural one) and, finally, a photo of her with pointe shoes (once again, flat and naturally arched) ? Please send this to treivilo at gmail dot com
- What sort of shoes does she wears most of the time ?
- Does she wear any insole (for comfort, hygiene, ...) in her everyday shoes ?

Wish reading from you very soon,

With my best regards from the other side of the ocean,

Olivier