Dance
Dance takes many forms while utilising a wide variety of movement styles and techniques across the various disciplines. Achieving ‘Pointe’ in Ballet requires significant proficiency in technique, balance and supreme strength. Coordination, body awareness, strength, flexibility and timing is required for all forms of dance.
Often forgotten elements of practice also include the footwear, the surface you are on, the number of repetitions you endure, the inclusion of a warm-up and even the many different disciplines most dancers enjoy! These can all contribute to the onset of pain or injury, and will be important in your return.
Common areas of discomfort or injury include:
- Lower back pain,
- Hip pain,
- Knee pain/injuries
- Shin pain and
- Ankle/foot injuries.
It is therefore important to analyse the problem movements thoroughly. An assessment of flexibility, strength and technique difficulties will add to your understanding of where the problem lies and how to work on improving it.
RHP Physiotherapists have 15+ years of experience working with performing artists, particularly Ballet dancers. We have been fortunate to help dancers from:
- Queensland Ballet Company
- QLD Dance School of Excellence
- various local dance companies and schools
To keep you in the groove, most dancers practicing multiple times a week (or day) will benefit from regular physiotherapy input. Keep strong, flexible and aware of your body’s signs that it is struggling to help prevent pain and injury.
Music
Musicians are a unique population that rarely receive recognition for their ‘athleticism’. Musicians exercise their muscles much like a sporting athlete. They work through hours of practice (6 to 8 hours a day is not an uncommon day) then perform at events – in some cases under enormous stress/pressures or unfavourable environments.
The muscles that musicians rely on are the fine motor muscles. The fibres of these muscles are slightly different to the larger muscles, though still have the capacity to fatigue and strain with overuse. Like any athlete, if the body’s muscles and subsequently joints are not managed well, injuries can arise.
The biomechanics of a Musician is different from anything else. Time taken to understand your body, how it moves with and without your instrument is vital to understanding your injury/ pain or ability to perform and practice.
How we work:
- Full body postural and movement analysis
- Video analysis of you practicing
- Specific assessment of areas of biomechanical weakness
- Personalised plan based on this assessment
- Provide a stretching and strengthening program to improve your posture and endurance
- We can even visit your practice sessions to fine tune your rehabilitation
Our Physiotherapists have had the pleasure of working with Musicians at the:
- Queensland Symphony Orchestra,
- Youth Orchestra
- Queensland Conservatorium
- School students
RHP Physiotherapists have 15+ years of experience working with performing artists, particularly Ballet dancers. We have been fortunate to help dancers from:
- Queensland Ballet Company
- QLD Dance School of Excellence
- various local dance companies and schools
To keep you in the groove, most dancers practicing multiple times a week (or day) will benefit from regular physiotherapy input. Keep strong, flexible and aware of your body’s signs that it is struggling to help prevent pain and injury.
Sam has been amazing in treating my unsolved running injuries. Appointments are very thorough and he's highly supportive of my desire to stay active and fit. Highly recommend!
Selena R.
I've been in a few times now to see Mal and highly recommend his service for his clarity, patience and approachability. He is clearly highly skilled, and his great ability to support me towards improvement is the proof!
Jack H.
In just a few visits Mal identified and fixed my back and shoulder pain. My posture is significantly improved and thanks to the exercises Mal gave me I’m confident of staying pain free. Thank you very much!