Performing Arts Rehabilitation

Dancers are artists, so they are concerned with precision and presentation, clean lines, and perfect body position. The emphasis is more on grace and flow than power and speed. Dancers need to be highly flexible. But when they lack flexibility in one joint, they compensate by overloading on another structure, resulting in injury. A physical therapist treating dancers needs to be aware of their concern with body image and create strengthening programs that do not bulk the dancer while being aware of caloric intake and eating disorders that can, unfortunately, be common in the sport.

Ballet and modern dance injuries can occur in various parts of the body—in all types of structures and tissues. The following lists break down where injuries come from and why they occur.

Bone: Fractures, stress fractures, and stress reactions can be caused by overuse, poor nutrition, and falls.
Ligament: Tears and sprains are caused by muscle weakness, fatigue, poor proprioception (balance), and poor technique/mechanics.
Muscle: Tears and strains are caused by overuse, weakness, lack of rest, and poor hydration and nutrition.
Joint: Sprains, cartilage injuries, and arthritic changes are caused by poor mechanics, overuse, weakness, and poor nutrition.

Common dance injuries by joint:

Neck: Strains of muscles caused by sudden high-velocity movements.
Shoulders: Strains along with rotator cuff and labrum injuries related to lifting can occur. This is caused by weakness, lack of control, and lack of core strength.
Low back: Muscle strains, spondylolisthesis (displaced vertebra), and disc injuries are related mostly to poor lifting mechanics and weakness of core muscles.
Hips: Hip flexor tendonitis occurs due to weakness and ROM limitations (in the hamstrings), impingement syndrome (pinched nerves), and labrum tears also occur due to relative weakness and lack of appropriate mobility.
Knees: There are many different ways dancers can injure their knees. Strains to tendons and ligaments can occur due to poor hip strength and limited ROM. Patellofemoral pain is caused by weakness of quad muscles and poor hip and foot position and strength. Meniscal tears can also occur due to twisting injuries.
Shins: Shin splints, stress reactions, and fractures are caused by overuse, poor mechanics up and down the kinetic chain, and possibly poor nutrition.
Foot and Ankle: Ankle sprains are a common injury among dancers and become much more complicated with added plantar flexion (point position). Tendon, metatarsal, big toe injuries (due to arch collapse), forced turnout, lack of ROM, and ankle impingement (due to poor mechanics, weakness, and overuse) are all possible injuries.

There are many different injuries that can affect dancers, so it is important to be evaluated by a physical therapist that can identify the exact cause of the problem. The goal of a physical therapist’s evaluation is to get a complete picture of an individual dancer’s areas of concern, pain, and weakness. We then design a program to correct these issues, prevent further injury, and allow function at the highest level.

Schedule Now

The Foothills Difference

Hands-On Physical Therapy

Your physical therapy experience should be tailored to meet your specific needs.

Cutting Edge Techniques

Our therapists maintain advanced certifications in many specialized services and techniques.

Dedicated Staff

We will guide you through the recovery process and stick with you until you fully recover.

People in Metro Phoenix & Surrounding Cities Trust Foothills PT

Hear from patients that reclaimed their lives.

After many sessions of grueling therapy, with Clint, I am now able to walk without pain. I can now run again with no pain. Due to the extensive therapy, I’m also able to straighten my knee. Now, because of Clint and his knowledge of therapy, I’m back to playing softball, at a high level again. Not only Clint, but the entire staff is knowledgeable and hands-on in working with all the clients.

Jerry R.

Amazing service especially from the front desk. 10/10 service here.”

Menno T.

I was experiencing lower back pain for months. So I decided to be seen at this facility. The staff was professional and empathetic. The treatment I received helped me quickly recover from my injury. I high recommend Foothills in Surprise!!

Ben G.

I love Foothills at Reems and Greenway! I drive 22 miles to receive therapy from Clint and his crew. The staff at that office is efficient, knowledgable, attentive, and easy to work with. I recommend them highly!!

Franki E.

Excellent service! The physical therapists are professional and there was good communication about my care plan. I left feeling better and confident about the results.