Dance, especially ballet, is a very specialised sport. Therefore, when a dancer gets injured they need specific treatment.
Dancers’ bodies are under immense pressure from the rigorous training and performance demands required. Therefore they need to be extremely proactive about managing their physical needs in both injury management and prevention, and can do this with the help of a Dance Physiotherapist.
What are common dance injuries?
The foot, ankle, hip and back are areas commonly injured amongst the dancing population and accurate, early assessment, diagnosis and treatment is vital. Improper and delayed rehabilitation of injuries can hamper a dancers’ ability to return to performing.
Dance injuries are commonly classified as ‘overuse injuries’. The repetitive nature of this sport often means a small niggle will usually develop into a more significant injury.
Some common dance injuries include –
- Posterior ankle impingement
- Stress reactions/fractures of foot and lumbar spine
- Ankle sprain
- Medial tibial stress syndrome or shin splints
- Snapping hip syndrome
What is Dance Physiotherapy and how can it help?
Dance Physiotherapy involves assessment, treatment and prevention of dance related injuries.
Dance Physiotherapy is practiced by Physiotherapists that have a special interest in treating dancers. They have a thorough understanding of dance techniques, the requirements of dance styles, and a strong passion to help you succeed.
They are often highly experienced and know exactly how to rehabilitate an injury to prevent it from recurring in the future. By identifying biomechanical issues, poor muscle control and patterning, strength imbalances, inadequate flexibility and suboptimal technique, they aim to help prevent future injuries and enhance peak performance.
Dance physiotherapy is also about education. It’s so important that a dancer understands their own body so they can identify issues or risk factors early and be proactive in their recovery. This will only help with decreasing time away from classes or performances.
What types of dancers can benefit?
Dance Physio can help all kinds of dancers including –
- Ballet
- Contemporary
- Hip hop
- Ballroom
- Latin, and more!
Due to similarities in physical requirements, dance physio is also suited to –
- Performing artists
- Gymnasts
- Calisthenics
- Martial artists
- Acrobats
- Tai chi
Dance Physiotherapy Services
Dance Physiotherapists are experienced with working with dancers of all ages and dance schools. On your first visit, you can expect to have a thorough assessment, individualised treatment program and injury prevention program.
Services generally include –
- Dance Physiotherapy – Initial consultation
- Dance Physiotherapy – Standard Consult, Injury management
- Pre-Point Dance Assessment
- General Dance Screening
- Tertiary Dance Screening
- Clinical Pilates
After an assessment, Dance Physios can provide education and strategies to improve on technique, mobility and strength to ultimately help you achieve your dance goals.
Education Areas usually include –
- Foot and ankle control
- Preparing for Pointe work
- Turnout and hip strength
- Posture and alignment
- Core control
- Secondary and Tertiary Dance assessments
How to choose a Dance Physiotherapist
Having a background in dance qualifications and training to treat dance specific injuries are essential elements you should be looking for in your Physiotherapist. They need to be able to relate to the demands placed on a dancer’s body and work with you to ensure you get back on stage as soon as possible.
They will look to conduct extra dance-specific Physiotherapy training and stay up to date with the current dance research, trends and treatments available.
Dance Physio at SPHC
At SPHC we are extremely lucky to have 4 highly experienced dance physiotherapists that share your passion for dance! They regularly work with dancers for pre-pointe assessments, injury prevention and management and look forward to helping you achieve your dance goals!
Therapist Profiles –
- Nicole Peavey – Dance Physiotherapist & Clinical Pilates Instructor -Nicole grew up in Melbourne where she was a keen dancer and represented Victoria in calisthenics. She knew from a young age that she wanted to become a Physiotherapist after needing their help to overcome a number of dancing injuries. Amongst her other studies, Nicole has completed a Dancing Hip & Ankle Injury Rehabilitation qualification. She is passionate about treating dancing injuries and is well respected around the community as a Clinical Pilates Instructor and Physiotherapist. BOOK NOW >>
- Alana Pacholke – Dance Physiotherapist – Alana grew up as a keen dancer, trying any style that she could, from Ballet and Tap to Swing dancing, and this progressed to teaching for several years. Her interest in physiotherapy developed from her own experiences with injury throughout her dancing career. She has sought out additional education in management of foot, ankle and hip injuries in dancers and has a passion for helping dancers of any kind manage their injuries and reach their potential. BOOK NOW >>
- Ellie Widdicombe – Dance Physiotherapist – Ellie commenced dancing at the age of 3 and has had over 20 years experience performing on stage in many genres. Ellie has a passion and a keen interest in ballet, contemporary, jazz and ballet technique. Through her love of dance Ellie developed a passion for kinesiology and anatomy which led to her studying Physiotherapy. Ellie has completed a variety of dance specific courses including pre pointe assessment, foot and ankle injuries in dancers. Ellie has a passion to ensure safety and technique from a young age with particular emphasis on pre pointe work. BOOK NOW >>
- Susan McLean – Dance Physiotherapist & Clinical Pilates Instructor -Since completing her Physiotherapy degree, Susan has undertaken numerous post graduate courses and workshops in dance Physiotherapy management. She has worked with dancers of all styles and levels and has been an invited guest speaker and presenter at the QLD state level figure skaters camp on the Gold Coast and the Commonwealth Society of Teachers of Dance summer camp at Mt Tamborine. Susan has attended several dance schools in the Brisbane area speaking to students on dance injury prevention, dance specific Pilates and Pre-Pointe readiness. Susan has also most recently completed her Progressing Ballet Technique (PBT) Teacher Certification training. BOOK NOW >>
Read more about our DANCE PHYSIO SERVICES.
BOOK ONLINE or call us on 3869 1099.