Accessories
A dancer may experience discomfort while wearing a pointe shoe even after the shoe has been broken in. Several devices are commonly used to mitigate the discomfort:
- Toe pads are pouches that encapsulate and cushion the toes from the unyielding box and prevent friction that can cause blistering. These are typically made from thin, fabric-covered gel sheets.
- Gel toe spacers of various shapes and sizes are inserted between toes; these serve to adjust toe spacing and alignment so as to alleviate pain at the bunion joint or between the big toe and first toe.
- Lambswool is stretched and wrapped around toes to reduce chafing and the likelihood of blisters. After several uses the lambswool becomes dense and custom fitted to the dancer's foot.
- Tape is wrapped around toes to reduce chafing.
Read more about this topic: Pointe Shoe
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