Ugh

[shanmonster]

The other day, I started playing some of my old performance music and decided to do one of my old performance pieces that I've danced many times. I couldn't do it. It was as though I had forgotten how to dance. My movement was rough. I didn't have my usual range of motion. I've lost my fine motor skills. Not much was working at all.

Today I went for a massage. The pull in my back is worse than usual, probably mostly because of all the sewing I've been doing recently. But I also discovered I'm all seized up throughout my entire back, and also through both hips. I thought my hips were excellent. They may have been before, but now they are filled with tension. Between my hips and my back, no wonder my dance has gone to shit.

It's not like I don't practice. I do. I dance pretty much daily. I drill technique regularly. I exercise daily, with careful attention to form. I stretch, and I eat well. I live a very healthy lifestyle.

I'm not sure what to do about it. I can't afford regular massage or physiotherapy. I'm worried about the ultimate effect this has on my dancing.

Comments

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

That is weird and scary.

What do you think is causing it? Or is this an ongoing problem that I've somehow been oblivious to. Did you ask the massage therapist his/her opinion on the problem?

If this was me, I would be freaking out. I know you are not me, but...

[shanmonster.livejournal.com]

I suspect it is a cascading effect caused by the pronation in my feet. I was born with feet that angled inward instead of outward, so much so that I couldn't walk/run without tripping over my own feet. I wore orthopedic shoes for the first few years of my life.

Because of the compensation I had to do, my shin bones rotated at a strange angle, and my patella sit much higher than other people's. And I suspect, this is what's ultimately causing the tightness in my hips and lower back.

This is only my guess. My massage therapist and a physiotherapist I've spoken to seem to think it makes some sense, but there is no official diagnosis.

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

Yeesh. Would it help to wear orthopedic shoes again? It's hardly a sexy option, but...

Or maybe rolfing? I had great success with the Ten Series from a local rolfer, but I only had some (comparatively) minor shoulder and hip issues.

I'm so sorry you gotta deal with this. It must suck major balls. =(

[shanmonster.livejournal.com]

I really don't think orthopedics will help. I think they'll just weaken the muscles they support.

Maybe yoga can help. Maybe. It's helped with other muscle issues before. I've never tried rolfing, but not sure I can afford that, either. At least I can get some funding for yoga through my membership in the Canadian Alliance of Dance Artists.

I'll look into it.

In the meantime, I'm teaching two fitness classes tonight. Woo.

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

Yeah, the rolfing was pretty expensive. My practitioner cut me a deal because I took the money for the whole series out of my savings account and paid her in one lump sum.

I hope hope hope you find a good way to solve this problem. Good luck.

[lordjulius.livejournal.com]

Overtraining can cause what you're describing too. I'm not an expert, obviously. But most professional athletes/dancers take days off to recuperate.

[shanmonster.livejournal.com]

I really don't think I'm overtraining. I don't work the same muscles daily and do take downtime every week.

[sidruid.livejournal.com]

you need to invest in massage classes for your partner.

[zydee.livejournal.com]

I'm not sure how you feel about chiropractice, but have you explored that idea? My boyfriend has a standing appointment with his for similar issues in his back and shoulders, and it really makes a difference for him. I hope it works out. I know how important this is.