Results 1 to 23 of 23

Thread: Help! It feels like I'm destroying my knees

  1. #1
    Curious Guest
    Joined
    Jul 2013
    Posts
    3
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts

    Default Help! It feels like I'm destroying my knees

    I just started dancing, and worked my second night last night. I had only worn heels about 5 times in my life before I had started, and my left knee is killing me! I have no problem walking in the shoes, but I'm wondering if anyone else had knee problems in the beginning. I don't know if I'm doing something wrong that might be seriously messing them up, or if its just because I'm not used to it yet. Thanks for reading <3

  2. #2
    God/dess shanna dior's Avatar
    Joined
    May 2008
    Location
    Canada
    Posts
    4,980
    Thanks
    621
    Thanked 6,894 Times in 2,672 Posts

    Default Re: Help! It feels like I'm destroying my knees

    You're most likely just not used to it. Still, when doing floorwork, it's best to be kind to your knees. I always wear over the knee socks, which offers some extra padding when sliding around on stage as well.

  3. The Following User Says Thank You to shanna dior For This Useful Post:


  4. #3
    Curious Guest
    Joined
    Jul 2013
    Posts
    3
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts

    Default Re: Help! It feels like I'm destroying my knees

    Well I don't think this particular injury is from floor work. I mean I have some giant bruises on both of my knees but I can bare through that pain. The other thing is only my left knee, and it is a sharp pain when I bend or straighten my leg. Lol I'm limping around in an ace bandage right now because of it

  5. #4
    Featured Member
    Joined
    Aug 2011
    Posts
    1,881
    Thanks
    3,026
    Thanked 3,426 Times in 1,229 Posts

    Default Re: Help! It feels like I'm destroying my knees

    I have major knee problems and recently started back at work. I'm not 100% sure what my underlying issue is, but left knee pain is more common with people who have weak hips, for starters. Our pain sounds pretty different, but what kind of shoes are you wearing? Some shoes have less of a difference between the heel and the platform, and they're therefore easier to work in. Another problem I noticed is that if you raise up from the ground with your weight above your toes, you're going to tear up your knees more quickly. You need to recenter your weight farther back and use anything you can to help you take the brunt of the work off your knees, like pulling up on the pole to stand on stage, and dropping down to your knees by sliding down with your weight on the pole. You could have damaged your cartilage (what I've probably done), and there's really no quick fix for that. Major tears usually need surgery. I'd recommend working every other day at most, taking frequent breaks while at work during which you take your heels off, light stretching, and performing strengthening exercises.

    What shanna said can help though, as kneeling inflames the knee's bursae and adds to any other pain you may be experiencing.

    Edit: Actually, I think if you want better help, you should maybe describe what you do during a typical shift. Do you do a lot of up and down motion during lap dances? Are you squatting a lot? I've noticed that if I accidentally lower in a certain way while dancing, my knees are just finished.
    Last edited by tuesdaymarie; 07-10-2013 at 08:53 PM.

  6. #5
    Member SequoiaRedd's Avatar
    Joined
    Aug 2008
    Location
    on the road
    Posts
    23
    Thanks
    21
    Thanked 11 Times in 3 Posts

    Default Re: Help! It feels like I'm destroying my knees

    on my first day of dancing I begged the management for ibuprofen because my legs were cramping and it felt like hell. eventually I worked up to being able to just dance (as long as I didn't drink) without pain. what type of pain exactly are you experiencing? is it a muscle soreness? does it feel electrical like a nerve pain? is there any sounds involved like clicking? high heels don't do any good for anybody so that's always a downside. do you have a bicycle? maybe you should try building up your quads a bit because they provide a lot of support for your knees. hope any of this is helpful for you...best of luck xxx

    [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]

  7. #6
    Curious Guest
    Joined
    Jul 2013
    Posts
    3
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts

    Default Re: Help! It feels like I'm destroying my knees

    Ya I'm am doing a lot of squatting and standing back up, I like to do it all in as many different ways as possible. I am only working every other day because I know I'm not strong enough to work more than that. I have started trying to do squats at home to strengthen up, I am just pretty weak lol

  8. #7
    Moderator charlie61's Avatar
    Joined
    Apr 2008
    Posts
    13,467
    Thanks
    10,869
    Thanked 20,994 Times in 6,795 Posts

    Default Re: Help! It feels like I'm destroying my knees

    Did you play a ton of sports growing up? Have you ever injured anything from your hip down?

    I'm wondering if your cartilage is worn down from years of sports, or if you've ever sustained an injury that is causing you to use one side of your body differently than the other.

  9. #8
    Featured Member
    Joined
    Aug 2011
    Posts
    1,881
    Thanks
    3,026
    Thanked 3,426 Times in 1,229 Posts

    Default Re: Help! It feels like I'm destroying my knees

    Quote Originally Posted by TheLovelyMuse View Post
    Ya I'm am doing a lot of squatting and standing back up, I like to do it all in as many different ways as possible. I am only working every other day because I know I'm not strong enough to work more than that. I have started trying to do squats at home to strengthen up, I am just pretty weak lol
    I think you should try to find a different style of dancing, or at least plan a little better so that you are not getting up and down so often. Preventing unnecessary stress is really important, though it is good that you've been working on your strength. I'm weak too, so I feel you. I've been hobbling around since Saturday. I'm considering thigh high boots and a knee brace underneath at this point.

  10. #9
    Veteran Member BANHammerGoddess's Avatar
    Joined
    Mar 2013
    Posts
    527
    Thanks
    405
    Thanked 654 Times in 268 Posts

    Default Re: Help! It feels like I'm destroying my knees

    when you squat down, are you squatting down where your feet are faced forward and legs even with your feet? Or are you angling your knees or ankles in a way that aren't straight in line one with the other? That's what used to fuck up my knees to the point that my knees would lock up at work. Learn to squat down in heels correctly, because putting pressure on yourself from raising and lowering yourself at funny angles for you joints WILL FUCK YOU UP.

    Also, bring a second pair of boots or heels and switch out through your shift. And take advantage of sitting on people's lap/chair arm/chair next to them. Save the wear and tear.

  11. The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to BANHammerGoddess For This Useful Post:


  12. #10
    Banned Aniela's Avatar
    Joined
    Jun 2009
    Location
    KW
    Posts
    3,291
    Thanks
    6,920
    Thanked 5,854 Times in 2,242 Posts
    My Mood
    Cynical

    Default Re: Help! It feels like I'm destroying my knees

    As I've harped on before I have found that tall boots w/ a thicker heel provide a lot hetter support for my joints, & I also draw the line at 5" heels (just don't advertise it since min heel hgt in my area is 6"). I've had bed knees from pre-dancing sports injuries. Tendonitis extending into the right hip, my knees & sm times hips pop when I walk, & sm times I get a sharp pain under my right kneecap, slightly to the inner side of it, which may be more tendon dmg. When I start feeling that I'm basically going up&down the stairs on my ass for the rest of the nite.

    I did p.t. For one of my knee injuries a few yrs ago& they give me a list of exercises to do at home for strengthening the tendons. You can prob find these online. Start on these strengthening exercises, work out on bicycle or elliptical as these are non-impacting on the joints, & start taking joint supplements along w/ extra potassium for the muscles. Keep the ar-work drinking to a min as well maybe, as the dehydrating effects could extend to the joints as well as muscles, & ibuprofen in your dance bag.

    If you're doing a lot of up&down onstage, use the pole as others have said to take the brunt of the wgt off your knees, slow things down, & maybe stay longer in either vertical or horizontal positions rather than constant rising/falling.

  13. #11
    Featured Member
    Joined
    Aug 2011
    Posts
    1,881
    Thanks
    3,026
    Thanked 3,426 Times in 1,229 Posts

    Default Re: Help! It feels like I'm destroying my knees

    Quote Originally Posted by BANHammerGoddess View Post
    when you squat down, are you squatting down where your feet are faced forward and legs even with your feet? Or are you angling your knees or ankles in a way that aren't straight in line one with the other? That's what used to fuck up my knees to the point that my knees would lock up at work. Learn to squat down in heels correctly, because putting pressure on yourself from raising and lowering yourself at funny angles for you joints WILL FUCK YOU UP.

    Also, bring a second pair of boots or heels and switch out through your shift. And take advantage of sitting on people's lap/chair arm/chair next to them. Save the wear and tear.
    Thanks so much for reminding me to keep my knees over my feet when raising/lowering. I have been keeping an eye on this ever since I read your post, and my knees have improved so much. I completely forgot about the importance of this. I was having to take 3-6 days off between shifts because I literally couldn't walk. My knee would just lock or cave in depending on its mood. Now, I'm still sore, but I'm able to work every other day easily. Woo!

  14. #12
    Member
    Joined
    Mar 2013
    Posts
    29
    Thanks
    10
    Thanked 33 Times in 15 Posts

    Default Re: Help! It feels like I'm destroying my knees

    Icy Hot Sleeves, keep them on for 8 hours, you'll notice a difference. I know it sounds weird but I also drink a banana milkshake with coco water in it when I get home from work, it's full of electrolytes and protein so it's great for hangovers or post-workout soreness. If you have access to a sauna, steam room or soaking tub full of epsom salt, go for it.

    If you're still achy after that, are swollen or you feel a sharp pain when you try to extend or contract, you may have injured yourself. I think you're supposed to ice an injury for the first day and use heat the days after. Expect to be sore for about 3 days or so, more if you're not resting. If you feel just an overall soreness, your muscles are probably just stiff, this is when you would go straight to a heating pad or ointment.

    I do all these things and I still feel wrecked from time to time. I think some of the exercises some of the gals mentioned above are the way to go. Same for evaluating your form when you're dancing.

    It probably wouldn't hurt to stretch before each stage set. One girl at my club even begins her set with stretches on stage. She does them super slowly, I have to admit, it looks pretty sexy.

  15. #13
    Member
    Joined
    Apr 2014
    Posts
    46
    Thanks
    9
    Thanked 24 Times in 14 Posts
    My Mood
    Cool

    Default Re: Help! It feels like I'm destroying my knees

    Some girls make it a show and crawl around on a blanket. There is always the option of doing your show standing up and lean against nearby poles, mirrors, and doorways. Wearing lower heels will help your knees most. As a girl who also studied massage therapy and who has knee problems myself, I can tell you those high shoes are horrible for your posture.

  16. #14
    Moderator charlie61's Avatar
    Joined
    Apr 2008
    Posts
    13,467
    Thanks
    10,869
    Thanked 20,994 Times in 6,795 Posts

    Default Re: Help! It feels like I'm destroying my knees

    Quote Originally Posted by SexyForMe17 View Post
    Some girls make it a show and crawl around on a blanket. There is always the option of doing your show standing up and lean against nearby poles, mirrors, and doorways. Wearing lower heels will help your knees most. As a girl who also studied massage therapy and who has knee problems myself, I can tell you those high shoes are horrible for your posture.
    Yes! Have you found any sexy shoes that are easier on the body? I'm always looking for stripper shoes that have wider bases (especially on the front part of the shoe). The taller the shoe gets, the smaller of a base it tends to have, which puts increased pressure on the foot.

    Stripper shoes exaggerate any postural inconsistencies / problems you have while walking with no shoes on. So if you've had any musculoskeletal injuries that haven't healed perfectly, or any postural issues, stripper shoes will exacerbate those.

  17. #15
    Member
    Joined
    Apr 2014
    Posts
    46
    Thanks
    9
    Thanked 24 Times in 14 Posts
    My Mood
    Cool

    Default Re: Help! It feels like I'm destroying my knees

    Yes, look for cone shaped stripper shoes. A lot of girls where pleaser. Some girls wear boots.

  18. #16
    Banned Aniela's Avatar
    Joined
    Jun 2009
    Location
    KW
    Posts
    3,291
    Thanks
    6,920
    Thanked 5,854 Times in 2,242 Posts
    My Mood
    Cynical

    Default Re: Help! It feels like I'm destroying my knees

    Tall boots w/ a chunkier heel are the shit. Best joint support ever. I am so pissed my club does not seem to allow, so now I am back in stilettos & have to wrap my knee every nite. Apparently the obviousness of a joint that is basically shot, is a 'classier' look than a tall leather boot that preserves the shot knee. Seriously considering getting a dr's note in an effort to have boots again. Saw a girl last nite w/ the really pretty, sparkly knee high boots & it seems nothing was said to her. Idk whet the deal there is.

  19. #17
    God/dess audrey_k's Avatar
    Joined
    May 2009
    Location
    London
    Posts
    3,542
    Thanks
    1,043
    Thanked 3,893 Times in 1,568 Posts

    Default Re: Help! It feels like I'm destroying my knees

    I'm sure this has been covered by all the replies, but the higher your platforms are the easier it will be to walk in your shoes. If you're wearing 7" heels with a 5.5" platform they're going to be a lot more comfortable than wearing 5" heels with a 1" platform. Most stripper shoes are pretty good about that but I do see the occasional girl walking around in 5" heels with a tiny little platform and wonder how the hell she's managing to get buy.

    And as others said it may just be a matter of your knees getting used to floor work, I remember my knees being black and blue when I first started dancing, now they're fine but I do take it easy on the floor work as it is just really shitty for them.

  20. #18
    Moderator charlie61's Avatar
    Joined
    Apr 2008
    Posts
    13,467
    Thanks
    10,869
    Thanked 20,994 Times in 6,795 Posts

    Default Re: Help! It feels like I'm destroying my knees

    Quote Originally Posted by audrey_k View Post
    I'm sure this has been covered by all the replies, but the higher your platforms are the easier it will be to walk in your shoes. If you're wearing 7" heels with a 5.5" platform they're going to be a lot more comfortable than wearing 5" heels with a 1" platform. Most stripper shoes are pretty good about that but I do see the occasional girl walking around in 5" heels with a tiny little platform and wonder how the hell she's managing to get buy.

    And as others said it may just be a matter of your knees getting used to floor work, I remember my knees being black and blue when I first started dancing, now they're fine but I do take it easy on the floor work as it is just really shitty for them.
    What I've noticed is that taller shoes have taller platforms (win!), but taller shoes also have less surface area on the platform where the shoe contacts the floor (lose!). It's a tossup. If you want greater surface area, many shorter heels (6") will deliver. But shorter heels often have steeper inclines between the back of the heel and the platform, resulting in other problems.

  21. #19
    God/dess Jay12's Avatar
    Joined
    Sep 2010
    Location
    Hill country.
    Posts
    2,926
    Thanks
    1,653
    Thanked 1,896 Times in 955 Posts
    My Mood
    Stressed

    Default Re: Help! It feels like I'm destroying my knees

    Glucosamine SO4 is the best thing to take to keep your joints healthy.





  22. #20
    Featured Member Tourdefranzia's Avatar
    Joined
    Jul 2013
    Location
    Portland, OR
    Posts
    1,445
    Thanks
    649
    Thanked 3,393 Times in 970 Posts

    Default Re: Help! It feels like I'm destroying my knees

    Quote Originally Posted by TheLovelyMuse View Post
    Well I don't think this particular injury is from floor work. I mean I have some giant bruises on both of my knees but I can bare through that pain. The other thing is only my left knee, and it is a sharp pain when I bend or straighten my leg. Lol I'm limping around in an ace bandage right now because of it
    Sounds like a torn meniscus. It's really common in our industry. Any sharp pain should not be ignored. Get it checked out as soon as you can.

    ETA: I just realized that this is an older post. Still recommend getting any sharp pain in the joints checked out right away.

  23. #21
    Banned
    Joined
    Mar 2014
    Posts
    28
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 19 Times in 11 Posts

    Default Re: Help! It feels like I'm destroying my knees

    Quote Originally Posted by BANHammerGoddess View Post
    when you squat down, are you squatting down where your feet are faced forward and legs even with your feet? Or are you angling your knees or ankles in a way that aren't straight in line one with the other? That's what used to fuck up my knees to the point that my knees would lock up at work. Learn to squat down in heels correctly, because putting pressure on yourself from raising and lowering yourself at funny angles for you joints WILL FUCK YOU UP.
    ^^^^^ this is GREAT advice!

    doing squats improperly will destroy your knees, one thing i have learned from the gym is when you squat down your knees should never go in front of your toes (looking straight down at your toes), your knee should be in line with your toes or behind your toes,

  24. #22
    Senior Member PrincessWhooty's Avatar
    Joined
    Sep 2013
    Location
    Atlanta, GA
    Posts
    138
    Thanks
    1,568
    Thanked 208 Times in 71 Posts
    My Mood
    Buzzed

    Default Re: Help! It feels like I'm destroying my knees

    My joints get really achy from dancing, even on offdays and yoga and Epsom salt baths seem to help. I think we should all be doing squats, calf raises, and lunges on the regular..(when we're not engulfed in pain, that is!) Also it seems like the stripper shoes such as Pleaser, Ellie, Demonia are specifically designed for dancing, so I couldn't fathom wearing anything else! I can't even wear "regular" heels anymore!
    [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]

  25. #23
    Moderator charlie61's Avatar
    Joined
    Apr 2008
    Posts
    13,467
    Thanks
    10,869
    Thanked 20,994 Times in 6,795 Posts

    Default Re: Help! It feels like I'm destroying my knees

    This is an old thread. But I'm curious...for those of you who wear over-the-knee socks while you dance, do you feel like they're a turnoff to customers?

    Sure, fishnet stockings aren't a big deal, but they also offer zero knee protection. So I'm asking about socks, specifically. I've always believed that wearing socks would decrease my money, since men love to see your entire leg (this is based on multiple customers saying just that). But....who da fuq knows.

Similar Threads

  1. Now I know what being hustled feels like
    By crystalize in forum Hustle Hut
    Replies: 21
    Last Post: 05-08-2014, 10:11 AM
  2. feels good!!
    By MeanGirl in forum Stripping (was Stripping General)
    Replies: 12
    Last Post: 06-06-2008, 06:04 AM
  3. How to prevent Love from destroying your career?
    By Katrine in forum The Lounge
    Replies: 21
    Last Post: 03-01-2008, 02:17 PM
  4. It feels like stealing
    By Glamazon in forum Body Business
    Replies: 11
    Last Post: 01-28-2008, 05:48 PM
  5. Now I know how it feels...
    By Yekhefah in forum The Lounge
    Replies: 25
    Last Post: 06-26-2007, 04:46 PM

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •