r/PointeHelp

So...

First up, here's the context, I've been learning fouettes on pointe recently and it's made my left foot hurt A LOT whenever I releve onto pointe, and how I'd describe the pain would be all my toes' bones feeling a lot of pain, kind of like they're getting squished a lot. Also just fyi, I never get blisters.

That's why, my initial "diagnosis" was that I was sinking into my left shoe. But, then my dance teacher started telling me that it seemed like my left foot was unable to go fully onto my box for a lot of other moves, besides fouettes. So, that made me wonder if my left toes weren't engaging enough to push myself onto my box on pointe. And, if you see in the picture, idk if my left toes not engaging might have caused this, but it seems like i have a little bit of reverse arching of my left foot, which is a more prominent problem in real life than what is captured in the photo.

Btw, my right foot never encounters any of these problems and hurts a lot less. And, I'd say it feels like my right toes are able to engage a lot better on pointe, prob bcus I'm a lefty, and I can balance a lot better on my right foot, so maybe I have a muscle imbalance that causes my left toes to be too weak and not consciously engaging to push myself over my box. Also, my right shoe dies a lot faster than my left.

In conclusion, the main issue is that my left foot is in A LOT of pain, to the point where it is unbearable, which really bothers me because I just want to dance at the ballet :)) And, I kind of need advice on what you guys think I should focus more on here, my left foot's strengthening or my pointe shoes.

Fyi, in the first pic the problematic left shoe is on the right, and the second picture is of my left foot in retire position.

Pls also tell me if anything looks glaringly wrong about my pointe shoes, because I'm getting a new pair fitted soon.