Dancers can find relief from foot pain at Finesse Footcare

By Patricia Nugent

With every jete, plie and pas de chat, ballet dancers appear to soar weightlessly and land lighter than a feather.

While the effect can be magical to watch, the reality is dancing can do a real number on the feet, which take the full impact of all those landings.

Podiatrist Dr. Danielle Shaper is not only the founder of Finesse Footcare in Lyndhurst, she also takes adult ballet classes at Cleveland City Dance.

When she’s not at the barre, Dr. Shaper has earned a reputation for treating many other local dancers.

“I see a lot of patients with heel pain, joint pain, nerve compression and injuries to the big toe joint, which holds all of your body weight if you are dancing on pointe, with feet fully extended,” she says. “There is often swelling of the joints and inflammation that can lead to arthritis. Bunions are an issue, too. They are formed when the toes are bound together in a pointe shoe and pressure is put on the big toe.”

Through radial shockwave therapy, strapping, taping and cortisone injections, she provides pain relief and healing.

To ward off ongoing injury, Dr. Shaper recommends dancers take preventive measures and wear custom orthotic inserts in their shoes.

“I wear orthotics in both my everyday and dress shoes,” she adds. “I also suggest people stay away from non-supportive shoes such as flip-flops, which can cause the structure of the foot to collapse.”

No matter which type of dancing you’re doing, from ballet to ballroom, swing, acro, etc., she says many injuries, such as ankle strains and sprains, and shin splints, can be avoided through a good stretching routine before and after dancing.

Finesse Footcare is located at 5035 Mayfield Road in Lyndhurst. As a full-service podiatrist, Dr. Shaper treats most foot and ankle issues, such as ingrown toenails, bunions, heel pain, hammertoes and corns. She also offers diabetic footcare, orthotics, sports medicine and surgery, and performs basic routine foot care. The practice accepts a wide variety of insurance plans. Call 216-382-8070 or visit FinesseFootcare.com for more information.