Expert: Dianne M. Buxton - 10/12/2007

Question
I have a new student (from a studio that closed), 16 years old, who wants to go on pointe. I feel that she is generally strong enough in her core and legs, but she has lower back pain. I suspect it has to do with both her 3 lb back pack that she has to carry at school, and the fact that she pushes into her lower back in cambre. I am familiar with the Zena Rommett Floor Barre, and am planning on looking into that, but can you recommend some simple exercises I can give her in the meantime? I told her no pointe until the back pain is resolved.

Answer
I recommend that this dancer see an Activator chiropractor. Activator because this method does not involve any pulling, twisting or cracking. The issue of misalignment should be addressed, and also the issue of what else may be the source of the pain. Muscle spasm, incorrect "neutral" posture, whatever it may be. This dancer is compensating for something if she is pushing into her lower back. She may need a calcium/magnesium supplement to deal with the muscle spasms and another to deal with ligament laxity (usually in all the wrong places for dancers).

Floor barre, Pilates, Slow Burn may all be beneficial. I think a chiropractor could spot the exact weakness. An advanced proficiency doctor is best if available, but not absolutely essential as every Activator doctor re-credentials every year.

Your observance re the back pack is probably correct. Unfortunately a rolling backpack is pretty well impossible to use in the crowded halls of schools.

I hope this helps. Let me know how this turns out.

All the best, Dianne

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