Have you ever danced while suffering injuries and pain? Or witnessed a fellow dancer power through such agony? Most probably, the answer is “yes.” Dancers are prone to endure such pain and injuries, no matter which level they are at in their careers.
Unfortunately, enduring pain is part of a dancer’s journey, and they have evolved with this. “You can’t recommend a dancer never dance with pain,” says Yolanda Correa, a Principal ballet dancer with StaatsBallet-Berlin. Yet, she believes we can cope with these injuries and pain by following some pro tips and tricks.
A prima ballerina, Yolanda Correa was born and raised in Cuba, Holguin. Belonging to a humble background, her family struggled to make ends meet. However, despite having such limited resources, she fulfilled her dreams of becoming a ballet dancer. Though initially uncertain about her plans, with government financial assistance, she managed to carve her way into the world of ballet dancing. As a result, she got admission into Cuba’s National Ballet School in Havana.
During her time there, she learnt many things, and one of them was that it’s normal to endure pain and injuries when dancing, but one has to power through to give the best performance. No performer or artist can ever acquire fame without enduring pain and hiding it from the audience. Here Yolanda Correa shares some tips to test yourself as a dancer and beat all your pain to become a ballet sensation.
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RICE:
The RICE method is particularly beneficial when any injury or pain is encountered. RICE is an abbreviation for rest, ice, compression, and elevation, providing instant relief when in pain. The RICE method advocates that rest is the most important thing for recovery when dealing with injuries and pain. Hence, allow yourself to stay away from the dance floor and relax.
After this, icing the affected area also effectively minimises pain and inflammation. In addition, the cold helps stop bleeding while simultaneously relaxing your muscles to foster recovery.
Meanwhile, compression prompts the soft tissues to reduce swelling, bleeding, and proper healing. For this, have multiple options like bandages, air splints, and flexible strapping. Lastly, elevating your injured area above the heart also helps reduce swelling.
Yolanda Correa shared that no matter the level of injury, the RICE method helps you effectively cope with injuries and pain.
STRENGTHENING YOUR WEAK SPOT:
Do you repeatedly experience pain or injuries in the same part of your body? If yes, then accept the harsh reality that injuries are inevitable. Fortunately, you can cope with them more effectively. Yolanda Correa, an award-winning Prima ballerina dancer, recommends, “Work on the weak areas in your body and strengthen them to become resistant to the injuries.” Consult a trainer or therapist who will suggest a comprehensive fitness programme to strengthen your injury-prone areas. It’s the only way to survive and thrive in this ballet-dancing world.
RECOVERY TIME IS MANDATORY:
Sometimes injuries are not serious and heal themselves. However, powering through such injuries can exacerbate them. In addition, ballerinas often don’t take enough time off to recover, causing such injuries to worsen. Therefore, you shouldn’t push yourself to the limit at the cost of your career.
Elaborating further, Yolanda Correa reveals, “Take enough time to heal your body and do not jump back into action without getting approval from your physio.” It’s not just about getting back to the ballet stage and living an artistic life every day. Instead, it’s a matter of ensuring your body is healthy enough to allow you to live pain-free for the rest of your life.
Ballet dance injuries and pain, no matter how minor, must be treated so that the body recovers completely because your health is worth more than anything else. Therefore, Yolanda Correa’s tips can speed up your recovery and ensure your health status. And eventually, bring you back to the ballet stage in no time.
