written by DancingDoc  on 05.08. at 23:11:44

No suggestions, only concerns.  I was involved in the early days of Dance Medicine, and never saw progress there to the point where the field would concentrate on the possible results of dance training on the body.

I won't give suggestions on an individual case over the web, especially your case because siatic-like pain that keeps you awake can point to "serious" problems.  The BEST ADVICE I can give is to see a medical physician, like a Neurologist, becuase your problem sounds like it needs to be evaluated for certain pathological problems.

I have no problems with chiropractors, and use one myself.  However, there are certain signs you mention that may need a more detailed look.  A good chiropractor is worth his/her weight in gold, but some in that field are interested in gold more than the patient. (OK! There are some physicians more interested in gold than their patient's, but these guys/gals tend to be in more high paying specialties like ear, nose & throat!)

If they tell you you have a herniated disc and recommend surgery, drop me a line.  There's a new alternative to an operation for a herniated disc called vertebral axial decompression, a non-surgical procedure which can help decompress a herniated disc.  It was developed by a former Minister of Health from Canada.

If there's irritation of the sciatic nerve itself, it can be treated without surgery, although you have to be careful about some injection procedures being performed "out-there."

Back problems such as these do not necessarily mean there's a problem with your technique or the amount of ballet classes you take.  It can purely be a problem of your anatomy.  If it does happen to be related to "over-use" or a problem in technique, that can be corrected, but you'll need to find a physician or physical therapist who is a ballet dancer or who has worked with a ballet company.

If the pain is self limiting (e.g. if it goes away after several days off from classes) then returns after you go back to classes, you might try a different teacher.  Teaching styles vary and a change of the tecahing style may help remedy a situation like this.  I mean no offense to teachers!

Keep in touch!  DancingDoc