The Dance Physio Podcast

Have you ever wondered what it's like to work with a dance physiotherapist? Or specifically with me or one of the physiotherapists at Allegro Performance + Wellness? In this podcast episode, I discuss the 5 key pillars of the philosophy that guides my approach to treatment and rehabilitation when working with dancers and other artistic athletes. Additional podcast episodes mentioned in this e...

Welcome to 2026! On this podcast episode, I share my word of the year for 2026, as well as the process behind how and why I pick a word of the year. If you're looking for something a little different than traditional New Year's Resolutions (or maybe in addition to), have a listen to find out all about choosing a word of the year. Additional podcast episodes mentioned in this episode: Epi...

The winter break is fast approaching, and dancers are starting to think about how to get the most out of their time off. In this podcast episode, I dive into what your priorities for winter break training should be, especially if your break is on the longer side (ie longer than 2 weeks). I also discuss using the winter break to address any injuries or aches/pains that have crept up over the past w...

Have you ever wondered why dancer's joints make so much noise? In this podcast episode, you'll learn what's actually happening when joints snap, crackle and pop, why it's so common in dancers, and when to be concerned about it. Episodes mentioned in this podcast: Episode 51: Snapping Hip Syndrome in Dancers Learn more about Erika Mayall: Follow me on Instagram: @dancephysioerik...

The wait is over! The 2025 Holiday Gift Guide is here! On this week's podcast episode, I bring you some of my favourite products for the dancers (or dance teachers ;) on your holiday list! Before you head out for your holiday shopping, have a listen and see which dancer health and wellness products I recommend. Access the 2024 Holiday Gift Guide *Note: links below are not affiliate links and...

Mental rehearsal (also known as Motor Imagery) is the practice of mentally simulating a movement without physical exertion. It has a multitude of benefits, many of which can be utilized by dancers when they are not able to physically participate in class 100%. On this episode of the podcast, you will learn the theory behind how motor imagery works, the research behind it's benefits, and how d...

I just returned from the Healthy Dancer Canada annual conference which was held in Montreal, QC this month. Attending conferences (and any professional development opportunities really) is high on my list of things that fill my bucket, and this conference is no exception. On this week's podcast episode, I discuss what makes this particular conference unique compared with other conferences I a...

Pelvic health for dancers is an area of clinical practice that is currently growing in research and awareness. This week on the podcast, I'm joined by Dr. Brooke Winder to discuss pelvic health issues that are common in dancers. In this episode, we cover common pelvic health symptoms that dancers (of all ages) may experience, why stubborn back, pelvic girdle or hip pain may actually be relate...

Progressing to pointe work has long been considered a rite of passage for many aspiring ballet dancers. However, it does not come without risks. Dancing en pointe increases the forces placed on the foot by up to 12x bodyweight, and if progressed too soon can lead to an increased risk of pain and injury. Historically, dancers were thought to be ready to start training en pointe at 12 years of age. ...

Did you know that despite ballet being predominantly populated by cis gender girls in training settings (92% in the UK), men take up the vast majority of leadership roles (artistic directors, choreographers etc). In this week's podcast episode, I sit down with Anna Morgan to chat about her master's research into gender equity in ballet leadership and training, and what she's learned...

In this episode, I discuss hip dysplasia and why it matters for dancers. You'll learn exactly what hip dysplasia is, how it is diagnosed, and common complications that may arise for dancers with hip dysplasia. You'll also learn teaching and treatment techniques to help minimize the effects of hip dysplasia for dancers. Learn more about Erika Mayall: Follow me on Instagram: @dancephysioer...

In this podcast episode I recap my recent presentation at the IADMS Annual Conference in Las Vegas, a workshop with longtime friend, mentor and colleague Astrid Sherman. Comprised of 26 bones, 33 joints and hundreds of muscles, the foot is a complex structure. It functions to support the body, absorb shock, and facilitate movement through locomotion. It can also give us information about how a dan...

In this episode I'm joined by Dr. Julieann Berg, physical therapist and Latin dancer extraordinaire. We chat about common injuries she sees in the Latin dance community, why strength training is so important for dancers, and how to determine if you're ready to dance in heels. About Julieann  Dr. Julieann Berg is a Doctor of Physical Therapy, Latin dancer, and the dance community’s go-to...

I'm freshly back from the International Association for Dance Medicine and Science Annual conference in Las Vegas and feeling refreshed and inspired. In this podcast episode, I recap my time at the conference and highlight my top 5 takeaways from the conference. Learn more about Erika Mayall: Follow me on Instagram: @dancephysioerika Learn more about me on my website: https://www.allegroperfo...

In this special milestone podcast episode, I reflect back on the past 100 episodes of The Dance Physio Podcast, and celebrate the community that has been created through the podcast. Through generous support from some incredible sponsors, we also have some amazing giveaways, specially curated for you!  Prize giveaway is open until end of day, September 30th, 2025. Listen to the episode to find out...

A question I often get from dance parents is 'how can I help my dancer advocate for themselves in the studio?'. Although I love the care and intention behind this question, I actually think we're approaching the whole situation wrong. In this podcast episode, I discuss why I think that's the case and how we can flip our thinking to actually better support our dancers. In a cult...

Patellar tendinopathy (also known as Jumper's Knee) is a common issue in dancers. Similar to achilles tendinopathy, we often see a spike in the rates of patellar tendinopathy early in the dance season. In this episode you'll learn:  exactly what patellar tendinopathy is common signs & symptoms of it treatment & management strategies for dancers Other episodes mentioned in this po...

Achilles tendinopathy is a common issue in dancers, especially among styles with a lot of relevé, pointe work or jumping. In this episode, I talk about why we see a spike in achilles tendinopathy early in the season and what we can do about this. In this episode you'll also learn:  exactly what achilles tendinopathy is common signs & symptoms of it treatment & management strategies  t...

As you may or may not have heard, the Royal Ballet School recently announced changes in the structure to their full time vocational training program. Starting in 2026 they will no longer be accepting students in year 7 (11-12 years old) and in 2027 will follow suit with students in year 8 (12-13 years old).  In this week's podcast episode I discuss these changes and some of the rationale behi...

The new dance season is fast approaching in most of North America, and on this week's podcast episode I discuss some things to consider as we head into a new season. Every year, we see an increase in injury rates in the first 6 weeks of a new dance year. This is for a variety of reasons, but some of the most common ones are dancers doing too much too soon, dancers who are coming into the seas...

There has (once again?) been a proliferation of posts on social media glorifying unsafe and extreme stretching practices. In this podcast episode I unpack why I think that is, and what we can do to address it. Traditional flexibility programs for dancers often only focus on passive stretching. In this episode you'll learn my 5-pronged approach to designing a flexibility program which will not...

In this episode I'm joined by Samuel Downing, Dance Conditioning and Safe Stretch Coach, as we chat about the role dance conditioning plays in supporting dancers to reach their full potential. Samuel discusses his career as a professional dancer and how he discovered the world of strength and conditioning while training in NYC. Samuel is a wealth of knowledge when it comes to dancer fitness a...

In this week's podcast episode I'm joined by stress resilience coach Jessica Patching-Bunch (aka JPB) to discuss all things related to stress and the nervous system. We discuss what stress actually is, and why it's not always a bad thing. We chat about nervous system regulation, and what this might look like in a dance setting for both dancers and teachers. JPB also introduces us to...

I'm just returned from the 43rd Annual PAMA International Symposium in Washington, DC and nothing inspires me more than spending time and sharing ideas with other professionals who are also passionate about performer health and wellness. In this podcast episode, I reflect on some of the common themes that emerged from this year's conference including the lack of occupational health and s...

As the weather heats up in the Northern Hemisphere and summer training programs are in full swing, it's important to consider how to keep dancers safe when dancing in the heat. In this episode, you'll learn how to recognize the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion, and how to differentiate it from heat stroke. I'll also cover the four most important things to prioritize to keep our...