People come to our Durham dance studio for different reasons. Our students learn dances for weddings, social events, improved health, dancesport competitions, or more importantly to just have fun.

No matter your experience, level of skill or preferred style of dance: all dancers from beginners to experts are prone to accidents and injuries.

From ballroom dancing to various Latin dances, dancing uses muscles in ways differently than that of regular exercise.

Common Dance Injuries

  • Knee Injury
  • Hip Injury
  • Ankle Injury
  • Foot Injury
  • Fractures

Reduce your risk of dance related injuries by being mindful of these 5 risk factors:

  1. Sprains
  2. The most affected area of a sprain are the ankles and knees. Sprains could lead to an increased risk of arthritis of the joints.

  3. Tendonitis
  4. Usually occurs in the hips, knees, elbow, shoulders, and wrists. Tendonitis is inflammation of tissue connecting muscles to bones.

  5. Strains
  6. Occurs when muscle fibers split and leaves a gap that can develop scar tissue. Strains in the neck are common in ballroom dancing because of not maintaining proper head tilt during dancing.

  7. Muscle Cramps and Spasms
  8. Painful muscle cramps are a result of tight muscles and fatigue. For ballroom dancers, cramps are a more common occurrence in the back and legs.

  9. Fractures
  10. Stress fractures are common in feet. X-rays and scans are recommended to properly diagnose if the injury is a fracture.

    Treatment for Dance Related Injuries

    The R.I.C.E. Method

    1. R (Rest)
    2. As soon as you feel hurt, stop dancing. Avoid putting weight on the affected area for 25-48 hours.

    3. I (Ice)
    4. Ice helps with the pain and swelling. Apply an ice pack every 15-20 minutes as needed for the first 2 days.

    5. C (Compression)
    6. Wrapping the injury helps prevent swelling. Wrap the area with an elastic medical bandage. Be sure not to wrap too tight. Loosen the bandage if its feels numb, tingly, cold or turns blue.

    7. E (Elevate)
    8. Raise the injured body part above your heart. Elevation helps reduce swelling, pain and throbbing.

    Anti-Inflammatory Medicine

    Using a non-steroidal anti-inflammation medication such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen can help with the pain and swelling associated with dance related injuries.

    Prevention of Dance Related Injuries