Ever since the boom of Dancing with the Stars, I felt compelled to take a dance class! I absolutely love taking dance lessons, no regrets... But my feet are killing me! There is no support in my 2 1/2inch pump. What do I do??? I don't want to stop taking lessons, but at the same time, I am tired of dealing with the pain at the bottom of my feet.

Dear JL
People that have foot problems are very often people that have SHOE problems.

I too am a dancer. However I wear shoes that give my feet room to perform. Shoes that ladies wear for ballroom can be very restricting to your foot's natural movement. I'll give you a little example.

When you step, your heel strikes the ground, and your foot should act as a shock absorber as your arch lowers a little. When you wear heels that are several inches off the ground. your heel doesn't strike the same way, the front of your foot will strike, causing excessive pressure there. You see, your shoes can affect the way your foot functions. Although some shoes are "supposed" to be used in certain dances, it doesn't mean that wearing those shoes is without consequence.

My advice, see if you can wear lower heels during practice. wear shoes that do not constrict the front of your foot and mash your toes in towards each other. Also, see if you can get shoes with a soft sole.

As for your heels, see if you can go to specialty shoe store and have the Pedorthist there add stick on arch supports. I think that is what you meant by "support" yes?

Your feet will thank you. They are the only ones you got.


Best,
Spencer Weisbond
Board Certified Pedorthist

Thank you for your advice Spencer! It was very helpful, I appreciate it. I know Aerosoles has some nice stylish (and comfortable) shoes. I think I'll give them a try. Thanks again.

Best,

JLS

I TOO AM INTO BALLROOM DANCING. i HAVE HAD FOOT SURGERY FOR PLANTAR FASCIITIS WHICH SOLVED THAT PROBLEM. MY FEET STILL HURT WITH HEELS. i FINALLY BOUGHT LOW HEELED FLATS THAT ARE DANCE SHOES FROM VERY FINE DANCE SHOES.COM AND I CAN NOW DANCE UP A STORM WITHOUT ANY PAIN. HOPE THIS HELPS.

MY PODIATRIST TELLS ME THAT I HAVE WORN DOWN THE NATURAL PADDING IN MY FEET. I HAVE CONSTANT PAIN. I HAVE HEARD OF A PROCEDURE TO INJECT SILICONE IN THE BOTTOM OF THE FEET WHICH IS SUPPOSED TO LAST ABOUT 6 MONTHS. IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE THAT I CAN DO TO RELIEVE THE PAIN. I DON'T KNOW HOW SAFE THE PROCEDURE IS. WOULD SPECIAL SHOES HELP AND WHERE WOULD I GET THEM?