Sh
Ask…
o
Q
Someone had a heart attack
on the dance floor a while
ago. I was wondering how you pace
yourself when you are Line dancing so
it’s not dangerous? Also I suffer from
chronic back pain. If I am using my
Tens machine and taking painkillers am
I right not to go dancing?
Bev, Camberley, Surrey
A
Let’s deal fi rst of all, with pacing Take it easy when you go back to class and
yourself so you don’t over do it on give your body a chance to return to your
the dance fl oor. usual fi tness level.
One simple method to fi nd out if From a teaching point of view, I give out
you are over doing it is to try the talk test. a basic health questionnaire so that I am
You should be able to talk and dance at the aware if anyone in the class has a condition
same time. If you are too out of breath that may affect their ability to dance. This
to carry on a conversation while you are helps me to plan and pace my teaching.
dancing, then you are over doing it. There
are lots of ways you can pace yourself I would agree that when you are using a
when you are dancing. Tens machine and also taking painkillers
for chronic back pain, giving your dancing a
Try mixing up the different types of dances miss at that time is sensible.
you do to build in recovery time for your
body. Choose to follow a fast dance with The pain relief means that you could be
a slower one or perhaps do an easy dance unaware of causing further problems to Sho Botham is a dance and health education
after a challenging one. It is quite easy your back if you go dancing. consultant and regularly provides advice
to get carried away or over-motivated regarding safe dance practice and general
by music with a strong beat or a very If you haven’t already asked your doctor or health education advice.
enthusiastic instructor. physio for advice about dancing with your Ask Sho is your chance to get all your
back pain then having a chat with them questions answered with the benefi t of Sho’s
So pay attention to your body and if you could be useful. knowledge and experience.
feel you are over doing it then sit out If you have a question, send your email to
and have a rest. If you have been unwell A lot of back pain responds well to asksho@decodanz.co.uk or write to:
recently or feel a bit under the weather, appropriate exercise and movement so they Sho Botham, Decodanz, Archer House,
then this can affect your ability to dance as may even recommend exercise as part of Britland Estate, Northbourne Road,
much as you usually do. your treatment. Eastbourne, East Sussex BN22 8PW.
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