What kinds of injuries have you had, and how did they affect you?
When in doubt, please remember that everyone has a one-month magic healing period where you can usually get back to normal if you follow your doctor's advice. It's also key to work with a doctor who knows about your problems as a performer. Please check out the resource page and Ads for top-notch healthcare professionals. Compensating for an injury will only lead to more disability.
Well, last fall my back began to pain me, but I assumed it was a minor muscle strain and just kept dancing. It has hurt near constantly for the past 10 months. The pain is such that I no longer can touch my toes when once I could put my hands flat on the ground. Front batmes are impossible. A month ago I went to the orthopaedic center in my town and found out that I have an inflamed disc in my spine. A few weeks of PT got me back to touching my toes although the doctors are doubtful that it will heal entirely unless I stop dancing for a while. Full mobility with pain is acceptable though as I refuse to stop dancing for more than a week.
Nursing an injury is definitely one of the hardest parts of any performer's career. About two years ago I found I had two fractures in my lower back, and was not able to dance fully without a brace for about 6 months. Those 6 months were probably the most beneficial time in my dancing career. Not only did physical therapy teach me how to use my body correctly, I achieved better placement within all of my technique, and developed very strong core muscles. But 6 months of wearing a hard brace all the time, and having to watch class instead of taking it was so painful and annoying. But healing and not having danced for so long made me love dancing even more when I went back.
I have had three hip injuries in the past year(two where serious and one was minor). I have learned that one of the keys to recovering from serious inurgies is NURSING YOUR INJURGY!!!!! When I had my first two injusries I hardly nursed them at all and ended up losing about fifteen degrees off my extensions due to it, and I'm younger than fifteen!!!! I have just started regaining flexability and let me tell you it's not easy!!!! So please if you get an injury take care of it. Nurse it, ice it, take pain medication, get Arnica gel to rub on it(all organic no chemicals, it will ease along the healing process.) and strenghten where your were injured when it's almost done healing.
In the summer of 2006, I took some time off and didn't keep up my training and technique. When fall came around, I was thrown into a very demanding role (the lead in Allegro Brillante) and had 3 weeks to get in shape. This proved to be to much strain for my body to handle and I ended up getting tiny stress fractures in my shins. I was unable to perform. I was completely devastated but happy that it wasn't more serious. I was determined to heal quickly so I followed Dr.'s orders and allowed my body to rest. After 3 weeks, I started training slowly and by December, I was completely healed and ready to take on Sugar Plum Fairy! This experience showed me to always honor my body. It was dangerous to start rigorous training after taking time off. I will never again make that mistake!
I have had a hip injury for a long time, but no-one was ever able to help me identify what was wrong, so I just carried on dancing. Bad idea. It got so bad that I couldn't walk and I had to sleep on the floor at night because of the pain. Then I found out that my hips are hyper-mobile and that the head of my femur had come out of the socket slightly (I'm afraid I don't know the correct terms to explain it), which explains the pain. Luckily I now have an excellent chiropractor and PT who helped me a lot.
Many of the top artists in music, drama, dance, opera etc. have suffered from excruciating stage fright but have gone on anyway. You just have to decide - do I want to do this more than anything and, if so, then do it. I don't think anyone likes to audition but all they can say is NO, & at least you tried.
I think I may be injury-prone cause I keep bumping into stuff and falling over props during class. I get so nervous sometimes that I'm not focused. I feel stupid and get depressed if I'm badly injured and hobbling around on crutches, but I guess no one feels good when they're hurting. My real problem is nerves.
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