Dance PT Podcast

In this episode of The Dance PT Podcast, host Jenna Kantor, PT, DPT, and Dance PT Certified, dives into one of the most underestimated injuries in the dance world — lower extremity stress fractures. From ballet dancers going en pointe to Broadway performers pounding the stage eight shows a week, repetitive impact and fatigue can create the perfect storm for a bone stress injury. Jenna breaks down...

Tech rehearsals — the make-or-break phase where the magic finally comes together — can also be a minefield for injuries if you’re treating dancers and “movers” in musical theatre. In this episode, Dr. Jenna Kantor dives deep into the physical realities of tech week, focusing on the unique challenges faced by dancers and performers who move well but aren’t necessarily trained to handle repetitive c...

In this episode of The Dance PT Podcast, Jenna dives deep into one of the most overlooked aspects of dance performance—nutrition. From understanding how macronutrients support strength and stamina to uncovering how micronutrients influence injury prevention, Jenna breaks down the science into dancer-specific insights that every physical therapist and PTA needs to know. Learn how under-fueling show...

Your dancer’s ankles are doing so much more than you think. They’re the unsung heroes—absorbing shock during jumps, controlling turn landings, and stabilizing every plié. Yet, for such small joints, they’re responsible for over half of all lower-extremity injuries in dancers (Frontiers in Sports and Active Living, 2022). In this episode, host Jenna Kantor, PT, DPT, Dance PT Certified, breaks down...

When we talk about flexibility in dancers, it’s easy to think of beautiful lines, deep splits, and sky-high extensions—but flexibility is so much more than aesthetic range. It’s a vital component of dancer health, performance, and longevity. In this episode of The Dance PT Podcast, host Jenna Kantor, PT, DPT, Dance PT Certified, explores the clinical side of flexibility—how it prevents injuries, s...

For dancers and performers, the elbow is more than just a joint—it’s a powerhouse for movement, expression, and stability. In this episode, Jenna Kantor, PT, DPT, Dance PT certified, walks physical therapists and PTAs through everything you need to know about elbow fractures in dancers. Learn how to: Identify different types of elbow fractures and key signs to watch for Support dancers during immo...

Knee health is critical for dancers, and sometimes unique conditions like a discoid meniscus can fly under the radar until pain, catching, or instability shows up in the studio. In this episode, Jenna Kantor, PT, DPT, Dance PT Certified, walks physical therapists and PTAs through: Understanding what a discoid meniscus is and how it differs from a normal meniscus Recognizing early signs and symptom...

Diabetes can affect more than blood sugar — for dancers, it can impact energy, coordination, strength, and performance endurance. In this episode of the Dance PT Podcast, Jenna Kantor, PT, DPT, Dance PT Certified, shares evidence-based strategies for physical therapists and physical therapist assistants to support dancers with diabetes. Learn how to: Design personalized exercise and endurance prog...

In this episode of the Dance PT Podcast, Jenna Kantor, PT, DPT, and Dance PT Certified, discusses Degenerative Disk Disease in dancers. Learn how repetitive spinal loading from jumps, backbends, and turns can impact disk health, and how physical therapists can assess, treat, and prevent symptoms. Jenna shares practical, evidence-based strategies for strengthening, mobility, postural training, acti...

In this episode of the Dance PT Podcast, Jenna Kantor, PT, DPT, Dance PT Certified, dives into Cuboid Syndrome, a foot injury that’s small in size but big in performance impact. Dancers—especially those doing ballet, contemporary, acro, or partner work—are susceptible due to repetitive jumping, toe-pointed positions, and weight-bearing on the outside of the foot. You’ll learn: How to recognize cub...

Dancers put their elbows—and the ulnar nerve—under unique stress through floor work, handstands, lifts, and partnering. In this episode, Jenna Kantor, PT, DPT, Dance PT Certified, discusses Cubital Tunnel Syndrome in dancers, helping PTs and PTAs recognize early signs, implement evidence-based interventions, and guide prevention strategies. Topics include: Key symptoms to watch for: tingling, numb...

Even a “minor” concussion can significantly impact a dancer’s coordination, focus, and confidence. In this episode, Jenna Kantor, PT, DPT, and Dance PT Certified, walks physical therapists and PTAs through the signs, symptoms, and evidence-based rehabilitation strategies for dancers with concussion. Learn how to: Identify physical, cognitive, and emotional signs of concussion in dancers Conduct a...

Why does a tiny ankle sprain turn into months—or even years—of debilitating pain for some dancers? In this episode of the Dance PT Podcast, host Jenna Kantor, PT, DPT, unpacks one of the most complex and misunderstood pain conditions in dance medicine: Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS). CRPS is not “drama” or “in their head”—it is a real, neuroinflammatory pain disorder where the nervous syste...

Chronic pain can silently derail a performer’s career, yet it’s often misunderstood or dismissed as “just part of the job.” In this episode of the Dance PT Podcast, Jenna Kantor, PT, DPT, and Dance PT certified, dives into why performers are uniquely vulnerable to chronic pain, how the nervous system perpetuates it, and how physical therapists and PTAs can intervene effectively. You’ll learn: How...

In this episode of the Dance PT Podcast, Jenna Kantor, PT, DPT, and Dance PT certified, explores Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) in dancers, musicians, actors, and stage professionals. CFS is more than just fatigue—it’s a complex condition affecting energy production, immune function, and the autonomic nervous system. Performers are at unique risk due to irregular schedules, intense physical demand...

As physical therapists and PTAs, we often see dancers push through fatigue and breathlessness — but sometimes, these symptoms are more than just “getting tired.” In this episode, I dive into Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) in dancers: what it is, how it can affect performance, and how physical therapy can make a real difference. We’ll cover: How COPD shows up in dancers and why it’s n...

Neck pain, tingling, or weakness in the arm can quietly derail a performer’s career — from dancers and musicians to actors and stage crew. In this episode, Jenna Kantor, PT, DPT, Dance PT certified, dives into cervical radiculopathy: what it is, why performers are at higher risk, and how physical therapy can restore function, prevent recurrence, and keep artists performing at their best. You’ll le...

In this episode of the Dance PT Podcast, Jenna Kantor, PT, DPT, Dance PT certified, dives into the hidden challenge of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) in performers. From dancers executing lifts to musicians mastering intricate finger work, CTS can silently interfere with precision, strength, and career longevity. Jenna breaks down: How CTS develops in the performing arts context Key signs and sympto...

In this episode of the Dance PT Podcast, Jenna Kantor, PT, DPT, and Dance PT certified, dives into calf strains in dancers — a common yet often misunderstood injury. Learn how dancers develop these strains, how to recognize early warning signs, and how physical therapy can guide recovery and prevent recurrence. Jenna shares evidence-based assessment techniques, phased rehabilitation strategies, an...

In this episode of the Dance PT Podcast, host Jenna Kantor, PT, DPT, and Dance PT Certified, breaks down one of the most misunderstood and under-treated conditions in performing artists: hallux valgus (bunions). We move way past “it’s just a bump” and dive deep into the biomechanics, clinical consequences, imaging guidelines, conservative management strategies, and post-op rehab considerations—spe...

Shoulder pain can quietly sideline even the most dedicated performers—and one of the most common culprits is biceps tendinitis. On this episode of the Dance PT Podcast, Jenna Kantor, PT, DPT, Dance PT Certified, dives into the why, what, and how of biceps tendinitis in dancers, actors, musicians, and singers. We explore: How repetitive overhead movement, props, choreography, and instrument use can...

In this episode of the Dance PT Podcast, Jenna Kantor, PT, DPT, Dance PT Certified, dives into a critical, yet often under-recognized issue for dancers, singers, actors, and musicians: vertigo and balance disruption, with a focus on Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV). Performers rely on precise control over their bodies to execute choreography, hit notes, or move confidently on stage. But...

When a dancer loses their balance mid-turn or stumbles during a lift, it’s more than an embarrassing wobble—it’s a red flag signaling underlying neuromuscular, vestibular, or proprioceptive challenges. In this episode of the Dance PT Podcast, Jenna Kantor, PT, DPT, Dance PT Certified, dives deep into the complex world of balance in dancers, exploring why traditional cues like “tighten your core” a...

On this episode of the Dance PT Podcast, Jenna Kantor, PT, DPT, and Dance PT Certified, dives into a condition that can quietly but profoundly impact dancers: Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS). AS is a chronic inflammatory disease that targets the spine and sacroiliac joints, leading to stiffness, pain, and potentially vertebral fusion. For dancers, even subtle spinal restrictions can disrupt alignment,...

In this episode of the Dance PT Podcast, Jenna Kantor, PT, DPT, and Dance PT Certified, dives into one of the most dramatic and disruptive injuries for dancers, singers, and performers: biceps tendon rupture. Whether it happens mid-lift, during a port de bras, or while managing props and costumes, this injury can instantly rob performers of control, strength, and confidence. Designed specifically...