November 26, 2007 at 6:32 pm · Filed under dance, injuries, new york, chiropractor, DR-R, achilles, calf, tendonitis
Sorry it took so long for my first post. 2 offices, 4 kids and a wife are taking up most of my time.
My posts will be brief but full of useful info. The shorter it is, the more you will retain. Enjoy!
Achilles Tendonitis
Achilles Tendonitis or AT is a condition affecting the tendon of the Triceps Surae. The Triceps Surae are the two thick muscles in the posterior calf, the Gastrocnemius and the Soleus. The AT is the tendon of these two muscles or the tail of the calf muscles. It inserts onto the Calcaneus or heel bone. The tendon helps in the push off phase of gait. In otherwords, every time you jump or stand on your toes, the Achilles is working.
As a group, dancers commonly complain of pain in the heel, calf or area of the tendon. Many times it gets inflamed and is painful to the touch. Traditional treatment has included; ice, stretching, taping, and heel cups. Corticosteroids are not recommended due to recent studies indicating weakness of the tendon when injected.
Massage directly on the tendon is not recommended due to the possibility of injuring it further. When working the tendon, it is best to come at it from the side and work anteriorly.
I have found that in all cases of AT, one must look at the two calf muscles, the Gastroc and Soleus. The two calf muscles are constantly being contracted, and in time will develop muscular contractions or trigger points. These trigger points will stress the tendon and in many cases cause pain. I have seen many cases where treating the Gastroc and Soleus eliminate the tendon and heel pain.
There are other causes of AT including; inflammation of the bursa or fluid filled sac between the tendon and calcareous, bony spurs, and tears of the tendon. These injuries usually need physical therapy, anti-inflammatory meds, stretching and strengthening.
Remember, LOOK TOWARDS THE CALF MUSCLES.
I hope this was helpful.
DR. R
Recent Posts by drdavid
November 8, 2007 at 7:09 pm · Filed under dance, injuries, doctors, welcome, wingers, chiropractor, DR-R
Hello Wingers,
I’d like to introduce you to the newest member of our Winger family, Dr. David Rosenthal. Dr. R is a chiropractor and certified Active Release Practitioner and has worked with dancers from many different New York-based companies and schools. Here he is, above, with a dancer from the Alvin Ailey School.
He wrote a fantastic introduction for his profile page about what he does and what he wants to share with us - I don’t think I could say it any better myself!
From Dr. R…
Hello to all. My name is Dr. David Rosenthal and I am a Chiropractor in New York City. I am extremely excited to be a contributor to the Winger. I have been practicing for 10 years and have been treating dancers for years. I treat performers from many Broadway shows such as “Chicago”, “Grease”, and “A Chorus Line”. I have also treated dancers from schools such as Alvin Ailey and the New Dance Group.
As dancers, you are some of the most agile athletes in the world. The daily grind of jumping, twisting and turning take a serious toll on your body. My goal is to give you information about different conditions that can affect your body. For example, I have experienced that knee pain does not necessarily mean you have a “knee problem”. Many times the pain can be referred from muscular dysfunction in the hip or thigh. I want to increase your “body awareness”. I want you to be able to identify a problem and know when treatment is necessary. With this information, you will have healthier dance lives and longer careers.
There is also an important disclaimer about his participation on The Winger that you will find on his profile page, but I will post it here as well:
This information and advice published or made available through the Winger web site is not intended to replace the services of a physician, nor does it constitute a doctor-patient relationship. Information on this web site is provided for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. You should not use the information on this web site for diagnosing or treating a medical or health condition. You should consult a physician in all matters relating to your health, and particularly in respect to any symptoms that may require diagnosis or medical attention
Welcome Dr. R!
Recent Posts by kristin sloan
