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1. Strain

This affects a muscle or a tendon linking a muscle to a bone. It is caused by a sudden stretch or by repeated overuse

2. Sprain

This affects a ligament joining bone to bone and is caused by a sudden trauma, a fall, or a twisting action.

3. Fracture

This is a break in bone alignment and is caused by a sudden severe trauma or could be caused by repeated stressful activity i.e. a stress fracture. In Scottish country dancing this is usually a fracture of the metatarsals of the foot.

4. Cramps

Leg pain and muscle cramps are common. They can occur while dancing or during the night after an evening of dancing.

5. Shin splints

Shin splints are pain in the front of the lower leg. Their cause is unknown but they tend to develop after activities in which the legs are overused e.g. in dancing. We can also injure our shoulders and wrists by poor handing techniques. To read the above one would think that Scottish country dancing is a dangerous activity, but it really isn’t. In my years of dancing I have not met anyone who has had a serious injury caused by Scottish country dancing.
The treatment for the majority of injuries is
R.I.C.E.

R Rest

Stop the activity and use the injured part as little as possible

I Ice

Apply ice or a cold pack as soon as possible. We keep a cold pack in the freezer in Pleasant Valley Hall. When first injured, apply ice for 15 minutes every hour. After 72 hours, ice 3 times a day for 15 to 30 minutes.

C Compress

Apply a tensor bandage firmly, but not tightly, wrapping the injured part to control swelling. We have a first aid kit at each class which contains tensor bandages.

E Elevate

Elevate the injured part above body level to allow gravity to drain the swelling. As the pain subsides gentle Range of Motion exercises can be started. Those are done within the limits of pain. This really works well, and if icing is started immediately, you should recover quickly. However if recovery is slow, a physiotherapist should be consulted as physiotherapists use modalities to decrease pain and swelling, and can teach specific exercises for muscles and joints.
REMEMBER, WHEN INJURED USE R.I.C.E.

Marguerite Bell

Originally published in “The Thistle” January 2005

• Ladies, whatever you wear to a Ball – make sure you can dance in it!
• Men are encouraged to wear a kilt but if you don’t have on don’t worry a suit and tie are fine.
• Gillies or other soft soled dancing shoes are preferable, not high heels or hard soled shoes
• A Ball program (with instructions) is usually available ahead of time so look it over and try to figure the instructions out.
• Dance with different people throughout the evening.
• Ladies can ask men to dance as well as men asking ladies.
• Wait until the MC announces the dance before getting up on the floor
• Don’t attempt any dance you don’t know.
• Join a set at the end – don’t butt in.
• If you are the 1st couple count the lines into appropriate numbers of couples and indicate if more are needed.
• If you are 1st couple you can usually walk the dance as it is being briefed.
• After the dance is completed thank your partner and the other members of the set.

If you make a mistake, don’t worry about it we all make mistakes!
Enjoy yourself and smile.

With renowned teachers Elaine Brunken, Mary Murray, and Geoffrey Selling.

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