ARTICLE #2

Helping Prevent Injuries by Learning from the Professional Dancer
by Sunday Homitz, L.P.T., B.F.A.

Many common injuries weekend athletes or even inactive people encounter can be prevented or lessened by knowing techniques that are used with dancers. Foot and ankle, some of the most common problems faced by the dancer include: blisters at at the heal and toe, bunion enlargement, and ligament or tendon tear (1st, 2nd, or 3rd degree).

The early treatment should be designed to decrease bleeding and inflammation. RICE is the standard treatment which consists of rest, ice, compression, and elevation. Bone spurs are another problem due to working on hard stages and floors because of the increased impact of landing from jumps. The dancer is encouraged to use contrast baths and to ice continually as progress is monitored. Proprioception (to help sense balance) boards are available for warm ups outside the studio.

The most common knee injuries consist of patellofemoral problems, sprains, strains, and meniscal problems, ligamentous tears or defects. Frequently swelling can be detected in any area of the peripatellar region of the knee. General therapeutic treatments that can be used are manual therapies, ultrasound to biofeedback and different forms of electrical stim to assist with increasing circulation and decreasing pain and swelling.

Cross training is also beneficial including swimming, and slide board work, closed kinetic chain exercises, and proprioceptive neuromuscular feedback (PNF). Other special therapies include such bodywork disciplines as: Feldenkrais Technique, Alexander Technique, Structural Integration or Rolfing, and one of the most commonly used effective techniques in the clinic setting, is based on the work of Joseph H. Pilates for rehab and conditioning. Also, Gyrotonics® Expansion System work has proven highly advantageous due to the movement done in the traverse and horizontal planes.