Referent pains can be associated with the physical adaptations you make as you recover , e . g ., using the other side of your body to support the injured side . Some muscle tension and tightness occur from different muscles as you compensate . In addition , pain can be felt in stretching and using muscles again in the traumatized area of the body .
Generally , if the pain subsides within a day – it is normal . Harmful pain that indicates further bodily trauma or injury may be : sharp , confined to a small area , and linger beyond a day . Make mental notes of when and where you experience pain and the pain level . If you experience dangerous pain , it ’ s essential to seek medical assessment and care . These personal pain notes and journals will help the practitioner assess and develop a recovery plan for you .
Stumbling blocks to recovery and barriers to movement recovery
Because of past trauma , pain and mental triggers of latent memories are “ hidden barriers to performance .” I have found that minute microseconds of pain can alter movement in teaching and coaching dancers . For example , someone with sciatica or nerve pain from spinal column compression may sometimes find their “ knee goes out ” when taking a step . The knee joint isn ’ t moving out of place – in reality , it is the body sensing a momentary pain in the knee triggered by nerves in the back which cause you to “ back off ” and not put your weight into that knee and leg . This pain reaction trigger is similar to a “ hot stove pain trigger reaction ,” pulling your hand away from touching a hot stove , an autonomic body response that offers protection from being burned .
Overcoming physical and mental stumbling blocks
As you dance , essential to pain management is knowing and understanding pain sources and triggers , then planning and focusing on overcoming these triggers . I am well aware of these physical and mental stumbling blocks and have experienced the lack of confidence that may result . Overcoming stumbling blocks to movement in dance requires positive thinking through these personal barriers and hurdles .
The key is to focus on continuous improvement to become familiar with the range of movement that triggers pain . Then , with this understanding , you can create a “ new normal ” of movement quality that becomes you . It means that indeed your dance styling and movement quality will change as you become a dancer who embraces her “ new normal movement quality .”
Feeling loss and trepidation and recovering your sense of self .
When we stop attending dance classes regularly as we heal , we miss the camaraderie with other dancers , continuity , and the wellness and well-being that come from dancing . Even if you have never sustained body trauma – you recognize the feeling of loss and being an outsider in a dance class if you have taken an extended vacation and missed a few weeks of dance class and choreography .
As we heal and recover returning to dance , we may do so with trepidation questioning the soundness of our body and level of danceability . In addition , we must also deal with the depression that may result from the change to the quality of our dancing and results in our changed physical and mental state , plus loss of camaraderie and social support from dance classes .
One of the side-effects of sustaining an injury or recovering and healing after trauma or surgery is the impact on your sense of self . Our “ sense of self ” includes physical movement quality , feelings experienced when we dance , the psychological mindset while we dance , and the exhilaration we feel when we dance .
Loss of fulfillment when we dance may result in losing our dancer identity . We might become depressed that we are “ no longer who we once were ” and that “ we no longer recognize ourselves .” We may have lost the comforting feelings and exhilaration and the former confidence and satisfaction we gained from dancing and may begin to feel depressed .
Physical activity from dancing can also improve how well you get around and give a boost to your overall independence , self-confidence , and self-esteem . When we dance , we share the joy and a love of something shared with others .
Our “ sense of self ” includes :
• Physical movement quality .
• Feelings experienced when we dance .
• Our psychological mindset and self-identity .
May 2022 � The Belly Dance Chronicles 13