A retired professional dancer, acrobat and singer, Christy was the line captain for the Folies Bergere at the Tropicana in Las Vegas. She was a featured dancer at Busch Gardens (Tampa) and has performed with Carnival Cruise Lines , Star Pointe Dancers, Tampa Bay Arts and the Lexington Ballet .A choreographer, judge and instructor for Dance Masters of America, Christy teaches gymnastics, tap, jazz and ballet and is safety certified by USA Gymnastics. Christy now runs her own web-based businesses Showstrings and YoYoMonkey.

Working on an Injury

Working on an injury is never fun and usually unproductive to correcting the problem. It can be a dangerous situation when a dancer has an injury that is minor enough that he/she can still work. The constant pounding can make matters much worse and the injury can become a permanent problem. .

For a while, I contended with some minor problems. From overuse I had slight tendonitis in my right knee and from a fall on stage I had aproblem with my left knee. The right knee has been a slight problem for me for at least fifteen years and the left was more recent. The tendonitis is a good example of a minor injury that could become much worse. I must constantly nurse this knee into better health and be careful not to work too much on it. Ice, Ibuprofen and rest have all become parts of my life. On the other hand, the left knee does not hurt when I work but gives me problems outside of work. I am therefore visiting doctors to see if they can determine the problem and correct it as soon as possible. Rest may be the answer for that one as well.

The major key is proper medical attention, rest and good common sense. Be careful and always take care of your body.

Advice given here is just that -- advice. If you are suffering from an Irish dance injury, please see your doctor for treatment.

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