A low back stress fracture (known as spondylolysis) is when small cracks develop in the bones of the lumbar spine (low back). The cracks do not happen suddenly like they would with a traumatic event such as a car accident. They occur over a period of time when the back has been under excessive load. […]
Balance is a foundational part of dance. It is important for both the technical and artistic aspects of a performance. Balance will help you control movements with precision. It allows you to execute steps, turns, and jumps with accuracy and grace. Balance can also help with artistic expression and helps you use your energy efficiently […]
The benefits of a sprung floor: No matter how many times a week you dance, dancing on the correct floor will prevent a multitude of problems when it comes to your physical health. What is a sprung floor? A sprung floor is a layered flooring system that is designed to provide spring under impact. It […]
Is slumped posture really that bad? Despite no research linking pain with posture why do we blame poor posture for the cause of pain? If an athlete performs their sport well, with perfect form and sits slumped on the couch at the end of the day is this necessarily a bad thing? I believe that […]
Safe partner stretching is a great way to get that extra bit further than you can’t get on your own. Remember, your partner can’t feel what you feel, so communication is the key to get the greatest benefit from those helping hands! 🤸🏼♀️When you are not feeling much: Ask your partner to stretch a […]
Do you suffer from neck pain, shoulder pain or headaches? Perhaps a new pillow can help. Finding the right pillow is difficult as we can not try before we buy! But knowing a little bit more about what type of pillow will suit you, can help find the closest match. Pillows are made from various […]
CranioSacral Therapy is a gentle manual therapy technique. It aims to help your body self-correct restrictions. It is a non-invasive treatment and you are not required to remove clothing. Most patients find this type of treatment very relaxing and restorative. Are you suited for CranioSacral Therapy? If you have any postural or functional compromises, particularly, […]
Strength training is suitable for performing artists. Recent research has shown that strength training can also increase flexibility. Strength training gives your body a platform to handle the load and physical demands that are placed on your body while performing. It will make you a more versatile performer and will help your overall health and […]
Have you ever noticed the patterns of training and your cycle? Premenstrual and menstrual symptoms can impact you physically and emotionally. Being aware of the different phases of your cycle can help you understand and modify your training load. It gives you expectations about your performance so you aren’t hard on yourself if you are […]
Do you breathe out with effort? Research has shown that the best activation of your deep local muscle system (loosely termed ‘core’) occurs when the part of your exercise with the most effort is with the exhale. With this technique, your diaphragm and pelvic floor draw up and the deep abdominal muscles draw inwards. This […]
Demi-plié flexibility can be assessed by performing the knee to wall test. When this is optimal, there is reduced chance of injury when landing from jumps and less chance of experiencing Achilles pain. Measuring demi-plié flexibility is also a great way to test progress during rehabilitation. It is easy to test your demi-plié flexibility. All […]
Anterior ankle impingement presents as pain at the front of your ankle. You usually feel this pain at the end of dorsi-flexion range of motion. These are positions such the bottom of your demi-plie or when you land from a jump, requiring the front of your ankle to be compressed. What causes the pain? Anterior […]
Many class instructions include ‘turn on your core’ or ‘use your core’ but most people are unsure what this means and how to do it. Your deep ‘core’ system are a group of muscles that when contracted, cause tension around the spine without a direction of pull unlike the external global muscle system. The main […]
The Omohyoid muscle. A unique muscle bringing awareness to your voice and posture. The omohyoid muscle originates at the scapula (your shoulder blade) and attaches to the hyoid bone, a bone that lies at the base of the mandible and is a point of attachment for a lot of muscles that control the larynx and […]
Readiness for pointe should be a decision directed by your teacher and assessed by a dance physiotherapist. It is largely based on your stage of bone growth, strength development and dance training, rather than chronological age. Young dancers may be more susceptible to injury than adult dancers due to skeletal immaturity and lack of developed […]
For the perfect relevé, rising onto demipointe should involve equal effort from the outer and the inner muscles of the lower leg. Try this relevé alignment test…… 🌼Rise onto demipointe🌼 🟡Roll the foot out over the last 2 toes and feel the outside muscles of your lower leg contract. 🟡Now turn the outer border of […]
Have you ever had an audition or performance coming up and suddenly your stomach aches or your neck stiffens up? Mental health and musculoskeletal manifestations are linked. These are ways in which stress can manifest in our bodies. Stress, anxiety, and worry can present in physical form within our bodies. Many times performers have presented […]
A dancer should have 180 degrees of ankle plantar flexion range of motion, especially if one wishes to go en pointe. When en pointe, your ankle plantarflexion range of motion (pointing of the foot) is much higher than usual. Forces of 12 times your body weight are transmitted through your foot, as opposed to four […]
Vocal physiotherapy is a manual therapy treatment aimed to address factors that can impact your vocal quality. Symptoms that can be addressed include loss of vocal range, breathiness, constriction, fatigue, tongue tension, neck tightness, postural issues, and jaw problems. It is suitable for anyone suffering voice-related symptoms or those undertaking high vocal loads like singers, […]
The Beighton Score is a 9-point scale which is a quick and easy way to find out if you have excessively mobile joints. There are 5 tests. Tests 1-4 include left and right sides, therefore adding up to a score of 9 points. Try these and see what your hypermobility score is; 1) Can you […]
