The Dance Physio Podcast

In this episode I'm thrilled to be joined by friend and colleague Sarah Kenny. We discuss her journey and career transition from a professional dancer to her current role in academia, as a professor at The University of Calgary in the combined Bachelor of Kinesiology / Bachelor of Arts (Dance) undergraduate degree program. We learn about Sarah's current research interests, and how these...

In this week's podcast episode, once again I'm answering your questions! Part 1 of this series was so popular and I had so many questions that I didn't get a chance to answer, that I just had to do a Part 2! In this episode, we tackle questions like whether chronic injuries can actually heal or if it's just a matter of managing them, how healthcare providers can learn more abou...

Shin Splints (aka medial tibial stress syndrome) is a common complaint among dancers. In this episode we discuss what shin splints actually is (and isn't), the most common causes of shin splints and treatment approaches for dancers dealing with shin splints. Episodes mentioned in this podcast: Episode 25: Stress Fractures in Dancers Episode 56: Dancer's Feet - Form vs Function Episode 81...

Femoroacetabular Impingement (FAI) has a higher prevalence in dance populations than in the general population. In this episode, you'll learn the most common causes of FAI, as well as the 3 most common classifications of it and how they present. We also cover diagnosis and treatment options for dancers dealing with FAI. Episodes mentioned in this podcast: Episode 51: Snapping Hip Syndrome in...

In this week's podcast episode, I'm answering your questions! I have been compiling a list of listener questions, and finally get a chance to sit down an answer a few of them. Have a listen to find out how to have tricky conversations with studios about unsafe training practices, what it actually means to 'rest' when you have an injury, my top advice for recurrent shin splits,...

Summer dance intensives are just around the corner, and dancers are starting to think about what they'll need to pack for a successful summer. In this podcast episode, I give you my top tips for what to pack, from a physiotherapist's perspective. Is there anything I missed that you'd include in your list? Let me know and I'll be sure to include next time! Learn more about Erika...

Although anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries aren't super common in dancers, they do happen and post-surgical rehabilitation looks slightly different than in a general sporting population. In this podcast episode, I discuss the general timeline and priorities for ACL rehabilitation, as well as the significant differences for dancers going through ACL rehab compared to their running-spor...

Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injuries have been forefront in the media and sporting world in recent years with an apparent uptick of injuries, especially among female athletes. FIFA recently announced funding to specifically study whether hormonal fluctuations in female athletes are potentially linked to ACL injuries, and this is just some of the publicity ACL injuries are getting. In this pod...

In this podcast episode I'm joined by Bri Zborowski from Apolla Performance Wear to discuss all things foot health for dancers. In last week's episode, we covered footwear for dancers and why traditional dance footwear can potentially lead to lower extremity injuries for dancers. In this episode, Bri and I discuss her journey in the dance world, and ultimately what led to her co-founding...

In this episode, I explore the importance and limitations of footwear for dancer's. We discuss the current state of research when it comes to footwear for dancers, why dance footwear might be contributing to lower limb, foot and ankle injuries; and what dancer's can do to help mitigate some of these issues. Other podcast episodes mentioned: Episode 56: Dancer's Feet: Form vs Functio...

One of the biggest misconceptions about turnout in dance is that it stays the same in every position. In reality, the amount of turnout a dancer can access often changes with different leg positions and varies based on things like working vs supporting leg, straight vs bent leg, etc. In this podcast episode, I discuss some of the reasons why turnout varies in different positions - including bony a...

Gripping in the front of the thigh or a feeling of jamming in the front of the hip is a common problem dancers report in extensions devant (to the front) and à la seconde (to the side). In this podcast episode, you'll learn the anatomy of the hip joint, the role of the hip flexor muscles and how their relationship to the trunk and pelvis can contribute to gripping in the front of the hip. I&a...

When it comes to injury rehabilitation, it's easy to feel like you're done as soon as pain goes away. In reality, this is often just the beginning of the rehabilitation process. In this episode, I discuss the idea of rehabilitation along a continuum, moving from 'calming things down, to building them back up' and why it's important to complete the process, even in the abse...

We all know that sleep is important for optimal performance and recovery, but with 59-80% of dancers reporting poor sleep, many dancers are missing the mark. In this episode, you'll learn what the latest research is telling us about sleep in dancers, the negative effects associated with lack of adequate sleep, and ways to optimize sleep utilizing sleep hygiene practices. Other Podcast Episode...

Hip labral tears are a common injury in dancers, although they often may not present until later in a dancers career or life. In this episode, you'll learn exactly what a hip labral tear is, why dancers are particularly susceptible to them, and different treatment options available. Learn more about Erika Mayall: Follow me on Instagram: @dancephysioerika Learn more about me on my website: htt...

In this episode, I'm joined by dance educator extraordinaire Rosina Andrews. We chat about her early life growing up as a dance studio kid, the magic of being backstage, and her pivotal time training in New York City which shaped her professional and teaching career. I absolutely loved this conversation with Rosina, and we could have chatted forever about our similar approaches and philosophi...

Research in court sports shows that floor surface in combination with footwear has the potential to decrease the risk of musculoskeletal injuries in athletes. In dance, we are not able to rely as heavily on footwear to dissipate impact forces, making the flooring surface even more important. In this episode, we explore 'low stiffness' dance flooring (ie sprung floors) and their role in i...

Welcome to a new 4 part series - Competition Countdown. As dance competition season ramps up into full swing in most parts of North America, this series provides useful and usable content to help dancers, teachers, and parents get the most out of competition season.  In part 4, I am joined by registered dietician Jenny Accettura of Centre Stage Nutrition to discuss fuelling for dance competitions....

Welcome to a new 4 part series - Competition Countdown. As dance competition season ramps up into full swing in most parts of North America, this series provides useful and usable content to help dancers, teachers, and parents get the most out of competition season.  In part 3, you'll learn about rest and recovery during competitions. Knowing what to prioritize when it comes to recovery durin...

Welcome to a new 4 part series - Competition Countdown. As dance competition season ramps up into full swing in most parts of North America, this series provides useful and usable content to help dancers, teachers, and parents get the most out of competition season.  In part 2, we dive into what to do when things go wrong. No one wants to get injured, especially not during competition season, but...

Welcome to a new 4 part series - Competition Countdown. As dance competition season ramps up into full swing in most parts of North America, this series provides useful and usable content to help dancers, teachers, and parents get the most out of competition season.  In part 1, we cover preparing your body (and mind) for competition. I discuss tapering/de-loading in the lead up to competitions, th...

In this episode, I'm joined by guest Chloey Turner. We have a fantastic conversation discussing her journey in the Irish Dance world from anxious little girl to principal dancer in Riverdance . We dig into what inspired her to pursue a career in dancer health and wellness after retiring from professional dance, and what fuels her lifelong love of learning. We also discuss her experience in th...

The Flexor Hallucis Longus (FHL) muscle is a common site of injury in dance - although rare in other sporting/athletic populations. It is a an important stabilizer of the 1st ray during toe off and when on demi-pointe, making it susceptible to injury in dancers. In this episode, I talk about the anatomy and function of the FHL, and discuss why it is often misdiagnosed by healthcare professionals w...

Inspired by the recent UDA Nationals , on this week's podcast episode I revisit the age old question of whether dance is art or whether it is sport. You'll learn a bit about the world of university dance teams (full disclosure, I am by no means an expert when it comes to Dance Team dance) and why I think embracing dance as sport, at least in this case, is positive for the dance world. I...

In this episode, I'm joined by my friend Jennifer Milner, a certified pilates trainer who specializes in working with dancers and dance rehabilitation. In this episode we discuss her earliest memories of dance, and what sparked her transition from professional dance to her current career. We discuss how she ended up attracting dancers with hypermobility conditions, as well as her experience w...