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Dancers experience injury when their bodies cannot support the positions and loads of dance training. They are also susceptible during times of growth, increased training hours and at times of significant change. Our team of physiotherapists can provide specialised treatment.

  • Injury Management
  • Pre-pointe Assessments
  • Conditioning for Sustainable Dance
  • Injury Prevention

These treatments aim to ensure a dancer gets the best out of their body and is able to perform at an elite level.

Injury management is dancer specific and involves a thorough assessment and may include the use of real time ultrasound.

Over the years we have come to understand the cumulative effects of specific repeated movement training in the studio on the dancer’s body. There are common conditioning inputs that may be very effective in preventing injury, and supporting positions for dance movements. Individual programs are available including those for mild scoliosis.

PRE-POINTE ASSESSMENTS

Pointe shoe transition may be safely done following a pre-pointe assessment. Transition onto pointe can be advised in stages should there be insufficient strength to sustain the position.

Pre- pointe assessment involves a thorough screening of flexibility, strength and movement patterns in the specific areas required to obtain Pointe. If there are areas of deficiency found then a plan and program will be set up to achieve these goals, and ultimately to obtain progression to Pointe.

It cannot be too strongly stressed that pointe work is the end result of slow and gradual training of the whole body, back, hips, thighs, legs, feet, co-ordination of movement and the placing of the body, so that the weight is lifted upwards off the feet, with straight knees, perfect balance, with a perfect demi-pointe, and without any tendency on the part of the feet to sickle either in or out or the toes to curl or clutch. This moment will arrive at different times in different children, not only by virtue of previous training but according to their physical type, and in this may be included the growth of the bones. Celia Sparger in Anatomy and Ballet:a Handbook for Teachers (1970).

what to bring

  1. Singlet
  2. Shorts
  3. Dance Shoes

Our Dance Services Team

Paula Baird-Colt

Ellie Williams

Leanne Rath