Dance Injury Management.
At Made To Move, every patient receives a full intake, which includes a history, physical and orthopaedic examination, diagnosis, and plan of management. This plan of management includes education, a list of active and passive care strategies including a personal rehabilitation plan.
Going through an injury as a dancer can be very challenging. Finding a licensed healthcare provider who understands the unique demands of class, rehearsal, and performance schedule can also be difficult. At Made To Move, every dancer who walks through our doors gets a chance to tell their story before going through a thorough examination. The education component of every visit includes self-management skills geared towards getting you back to dance as soon as possible. With our background in Progressing Ballet Technique, Functional Range Conditioning, and Pilates helps us provide a unique rehabilitation program to improve pain, function, strength, flexibility, and endurance, specifically for dancers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is an orthopaedic and physical examination necessary?
During the physical and orthopaedic examination, we are performing tests specific to each structure of the body. If an orthopaedic test or palpation elicits the pain you are experiencing, this helps us diagnose your issue more accurately and tailor a treatment plan specifically for your needs. The more accurate your diagnosis, the more efficient the plan of care will be.
Will I have to follow through on all treatments proposed??
Once the treatment plan is put together, you are in full control of every treatment option. This means, if there’s something you don’t want (like acupuncture for example) you do not have to have this modality or treatment. You are always in control of both what we do as well as other details such as pressure and forced used! We always welcome our patients to give us as much feedback during treatment as they would like! We are here for you, and that means modifying your treatment to fit you just right!
What is Progressing Ballet Technique?
Progressing Ballet Technique is a conditioning system developed by Australian Ballet and their physiotherapy team. It consists of exercises using a yoga ball, a squishy ball, and a Theraband. Much like floor barre, PBT allows dancers to focus on healing elements such as core activation, leg extension in a non-weight bearing position, and joint stability still using classical ballet movements. PBT exercises are specifically great for injured dancers in helping them regain strength and control without aggravating their existing condition.
What is Functional Range Conditioning?
Functional Range Conditioning is a system of improving range of motion and control at end-range. Their protocols are based on scientific literature, and consist of controlled articular rotations, proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation, and various end range stretching techniques.
Why is Functional Range Conditioning great for dancers and dance injuries?
Functional Range Conditioning is different than a lot of other conditioning systems because it focuses on end-range neurological control. As dancers, we do a lot of full range of motion movement when performing choreography or even technical skills in jazz, ballet, contemporary, and acrobatics. We not only need a lot of range of motion but we need particular control and articulation at these end ranges. For this reason, it is important to train that control within that end-range. FRC uses the most recent research to improve control and length of functional muscle tissue to allow for building both control and flexibility at the same time.
What is Pilates?
Pilates is a form of exercise and body conditioning developed by Joseph Pilates in the late 19th century. It was quickly picked up by the dance community in NYC for its results in terms of control, core activation, mobilization. Pilates is specifically designed for dancers because of it’s detailed core work while doing various movement with the extremities, the mobility included with many exercises, and the focus on breath-work. Pilates is wonderful for dance injuries as well as non-dance related injuries.
What are some common conditions dancers experience?
Some of the many conditions and injuries experienced by dancers include:
• Headaches • Mechanical Neck Pain • Myofascial Pain Syndrome • Mechanical Thoracic Pain
• Low Back Pain • Snapping Hip Syndrome • Sever’s Disease Pain • Costovertebral Joint Pain
• Jumper’s Knee • Hamstring Tear • Degenerative Disc Disease • Sprains & Strains
• Impingement Syndromes • Piriformis Syndrome • Plantar Fasciitis • Mechanical Ankle Pain • Labral Tear
• Meniscal Damage • Patello-femoral Pain Syndrome • Rotator Cuff Tendinopathy • Achilles Tendinopathy