I dance very frequently and recently i've had pain in the ball of my left foot. The pain is concentrated under my big toe but it only hurts when pressure is applied to the area. Wiggling my big toe or pushing it back a little doesn't hurt but when i try to push my big toe back all the way theres is an overstretching hurt feeling. Icing the area doesn't really help and its only in my one foot. Also, i have very arched feet if that could have something to do with it.

It could be your sesmoid bone. they are small bone in the tendon that pass under your big toe joint. Unless dancing is a career choice or requirement, I would recommend Rest, Ice,Compression, Elevation. Do not push back you toe until it hurts push back only until you feel something no further. Take it easy and rest for a few weeks do not do anything that would hurt it does not get better then seek a professional possible someone who treats dances.

If symptoms get worse or you need to dance for work then seek a medical professional.

Sesmoid are tiny bones like peas in the tendon the can be fractured or injures or the tendon the wraps around the can be torn and take a long time to heal.

Your high arches can make you less prone to some injuries and more prone to others but it very so wildly that to say they are the cause would be difficult.

Look up sesmoiditis

Hope you feel better soon

Dear amr1891,
The pain under your big toe may be due to a number of reasons, such as sesamoidis(as stated earlier), sprain/strain of the soft tissue structures secondary to repeated trauma caused by dance, or arthritis which may be causing a limitation in motion at the big toe toe joint resulting in pain. Icing, decreasing activity and elevating the limb is a good start in treating the problem, however, I believe that you should she your podiatrist for an evaluation, in order to obtain a more accurate diagnosis and establish a clear treatment plan.

Good-luck and thank-you for contacting foot.com,
SBarlizo, DPM, C Ped
foot.com expert

I have been experiencing pressure at the ball of my foot. I feel as if maybe I carry more pressure there than I do in my heels. Is there anything over the counter you could recommend to unload some of the pressure from this area of my foot? Any help is much appreciated! By the end of the day my feet seem to be burning!

There is an over the count insert called "walk fit" with a changeable hight met pad to try.(find them at Target or CVS or online) or from Aetrex I would recommend the following inserts for what you want (under shopping)

1608
Outdoor/Hiking Performance Insoles
1483
Work/Dress Performance Insoles

Hope this helps