Osteopathy and Dance Injury Treatment

Dance-related injuries can be a major issue for dancers of all levels. The demands of dance on the body can result in strains, sprains, and other musculoskeletal problems. Osteopathy, a holistic approach to healthcare, can play an important role in both preventing and treating these injuries, allowing dancers to continue to pursue their passion and perform at their best.

Dancing is a sport that takes a great deal of physical exertion, flexibility, strength and repetitive movements. These very factors, however, can cause injuries ranging from modest muscular strains to more severe ligament or joint damage. The following are examples of common dancing injuries:

  • Sprains and Strains: Ligament and muscle overstretching or tearing caused by sudden motions or overuse.

  • Tendonitis: Tendon inflammation induced by repetitive movements.

  • Stress Fractures: Minor breaks in the bones caused by repeated impact or overtraining.

  • Joint Issues: These include hip, knee, ankle, and spinal conditions caused by constant stress and movement.

Osteopathy emphasises the body's ability to heal itself and its relationship between structure and function. Osteopaths recognise that good health is dependent on the proper functioning of muscles, joints, and connective tissues. When a dancer seeks osteopathic treatment for an injury, the practitioner first evaluates the dancer's overall health as well as the specific issue. This frequently entails a thorough examination of alignment, range of motion, and potential areas of weakness or instability.

Osteopaths typically provide thorough advice in addition to providing hands-on manual therapy to aid in the restoration of optimal function and reducing discomfort. This advice can include prescribing specific exercises/stretches, patient education, and ergonomic/technical changes designed to improve overall performance while preventing future injuries. Osteopathic treatments work to improve flexibility and movement patterns by correcting physical restrictions, as well as to reduce pain so that dancers can return to practice more comfortably. Instead of concentrating only on the injured area, osteopathic treatment takes a holistic approach that takes into account the complete body and addresses any underlying issues that may have contributed to the injury.

Osteopathic treatment may assist dancers considerably of all genres and skill levels by addressing the fundamental cause of the problem and encouraging overall wellness, ensuring they can continue to express themselves through the beauty of movement and return to the stage with confidence.

References: 

Pollard-Smith, T., & Thomson, O. P. (2017). Professional ballet dancers' experience of injury and osteopathic treatment in the UK: A qualitative study. Journal of bodywork and movement therapies, 21(1), 148–156. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbmt.2016.06.009

Motta-Valencia K. (2006). Dance-related injury. Physical medicine and rehabilitation clinics of North America, 17(3), 697–723. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pmr.2006.06.001

Author: Dr Monique Zammit