Dancers are a unique group of athletes and artists that use their bodies as their medium. Pain and injury, whether acute or chronic, can disrupt a dancer’s career and lead to other issues if not addressed. Unfortunately, many aspects of a dancer’s career put them at increased risk for injuries. These include repetitive movements that lead to overuse injuries, lack of cross training outside of technique class, lack of regular medical screenings, poor cardiovascular endurance, demanding rehearsal seasons, and a culture of “pushing through the pain”.
Atlantic Physical Therapy has dance medicine specialists that understand the demands of the dancer’s craft. Whether you are a ballet dancer, modern dancer, or latin dancer, our team can speak your language. Our goal is to empower you with new knowledge about your body and the tools to prevent injuries well into the future.
Rehabbing from a dance injury will include:
- Comprehensive, dance-specific physical therapy evaluation designed to identify areas of weakness, tightness, and common technique faults
- Treatment plan featuring targeted rehabilitation with a gradual return to dance specific movements under the guidance of a physical therapist
- Customized home exercise program and a plan for return to class and rehearsals
- Development of a cross training program to maintain health and wellness after your injury has healed
Conditions We Commonly Treat in Dancers
- Ankle sprains/instability
- Achilles tendonitis
- “Snapping” hip
- Hip labral tears
- Hip flexor tendinitis
- Hip bursitis
- Hip impingement
- Sacroiliac joint dysfunction
- Pelvic floor dysfunction
- Knee pain
- Foot/toe pain
- Stress fractures
- Muscle strains
Additional Services for Dancers
- Pointe readiness assessments
- Performance enhancement programs
- Annual dancer wellness screenings