PhxThunder

I am getting to the point where it's getting very painful for me to fancy dance. During the actual dancing, there's no pain, But afterwards for like the next 2 weeks i could hardly stand (lower back pain). I want continue to dance. I love the circle, I love the drum. It's been a part of me since childhood. Any suggestions?

DaCotau

I can relate to your situation. I used to dance jingle, but in 2001 I suffered a severe back injury that resulted in slight but permanent nerve damage in my right leg. Due to this condition I no longer have the bounce ability so I can't jingle dance anymore. I am still young and in good shape otherwise but the more energetic dancing I just am not able to do. It sucks! I know I could still participate in traditional style but for some reason I just don't have the interest at this point.

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SuzzeQ4

My suggestion would be to talk to your doctor. Physio has helped me continue to dance & to teach the children here. I gave up fancy shawl & dance Woman' s Trad now, & I love it.
I really appriciate being able to really move with the kids I teach once a week. which by the way could also be an option. I'm sure there are some children out there who would love you to teach them that way. Keep in mind though, I still hurt real bad after a weekend at the powwow but the pain doesn't last as long. I also put those heat wraps around my knees with a tensor over top, you could also do that for your back.
Suzze

Tiyospaye Yazzie

You don't have to dance way fast and try to land splits at the end or try to keep up with the Spikes, lol. Just cruise it, if you really do love it then you should. Just a thought.

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nativedancer5

well my brother use to dance fancy then his knees went bad......so he switched to straight dancing............he said he would like to have a bumper sticker reading...........I was fancy but now I'm straight......LOL
he said that it was good to still dance but at a slower pace

sookout sh'nob

Right on the money - I twisted both of my knees three years ago and I still dance. My stlyle has really changed; my steps are measured and don't cover as much ground, but I feel more in control of my body than I ever did before the accident. I also do a lot more shoulder and head moves now. It's a good time and I got to rediscover the dance again - how many people get to do that?

Good luck and don't push it too hard.

crazywolf

I got to try and figure some of this stuff out, upper body movements and stuff. My knees are starting to hurt as well. I dunno if its artheritis setting in, or just tendons that arent in the right place. I can go to a chiropractor and get adjusted, and the pain will go away for a while. I am trying to focus more on exactly what I do with my feet, more intricate movements, but anymore, the drums play too fast to do anything like that.

I also never really had any good role models here in Florida, heck I didnt meet any really good dancers until last year at hollywood, and I have been fancy dancing now for around 7 years.. Maybe things will change once I get to Minn.

Derek

sookout sh'nob

Stretching really helps too - develop a good stretching routine; preferably with a personal trainer or someone who knows something about stretching. Stretching wrong is almost worse than not stretching at all.

Singing Otter

Hey, I definitely agree with alot of the posts here, especially sookout sh'nob. I have fibromyalgia, arthritis and nerve damage.... so after a weekend of hard dancing I'm raggedy! lol

Listen to your body and try alot of different approaches.

- I find that stretching (before AND after) helps, along with taking a hot shower or soak after the powwow. I wear a knee brace for extra support and I'd imagine you could wear one of the close fitting back braces.

- I'm a firm believer in using topical creams, oils, and ointments. Take a little bit with you if need be. For sore muscles you can use an Indian (as in India) oil called Navratna Plus. It's got menthol, sesame, amla, camphor, thyme, and rosemary in it. It's cheap and it really helps soothe tired, achy muscles.

- If your pain is severe enough, your doc might prescribe a TENS unit. It's a little box that uses electrodes to stimulate the nerve endings and muscles in order to alleviate pain. The one I have is small enough to be travel sized and it's rechargeable so that you can use it repeatedly.

I hope you find something that works for you. Being in pain sucks.

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DaCotau

- "If your pain is severe enough, your doc might prescribe a TENS unit. It's a little box that uses electrodes to stimulate the nerve endings and muscles in order to alleviate pain. The one I have is small enough to be travel sized and it's rechargeable so that you can use it repeatedly."

I hope you find something that works for you. Being in pain sucks.[/quote]


I have used this for my lower back and it does work!

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"No snowflake in an avalanche ever feels responsible"
"You cannot give the people who have wronged you so much power that they take away your dreams"