Episode 103: Clenching, Gripping and Knuckling: what your dancer's feet can tell you

In this podcast episode I recap my recent presentation at the IADMS Annual Conference in Las Vegas, a workshop with longtime friend, mentor and colleague Astrid Sherman.Comprised of 26 bones, 33 joints and hundreds of muscles, the foot is a complex structure. It functions to support the body, absorb shock, and facilitate movement through locomotion. It can also give us information about how a dancer is moving and functioning. Clenching toes when “pointing the foot” in plantar flexion, gripping the floor in standing and/or knuckling ‘en-pointe’ are common patterns seen in dancer’s that may indicate weakness, muscle imbalances, or deficiencies in technique or training.Other episodes mentioned in this podcast:Episode 56: Dancer's Feet - Form vs FunctionLearn more about Erika Mayall:Follow me on Instagram: @dancephysioerikaLearn more about me on my website: https://www.allegroperformance.comSign up for my newsletter: Click hereSend me an email: [email protected] the show