Dance Injuries
Article by Nadine Stewart
Dance Injuries
Common dance injuries include sprains and strains, where your muscles and ligaments are overstretched or twisted.
Additionally, dancers can also sustain impact injuries, such as bruises caused by falling, collisions, trips, and slips. Ill-fitting shoes can cause foot and toes injuries.
Most dancers train between 6 to 35 hours per week. Due to the number of training hours and repetition involved in ballet, many of the injuries sustained by dancers are overuse injuries rather than acute injuries. This means that the injury results from gradual wear and tear that progressively worsens over time, rather than being caused by one specific incident. It is crucial to have these types of injuries treated early, and the cause of the injury corrected so that the damage doesn’t worsen to a point where it is restricting everyday activities, including dancing.
Often overuse injuries can be caused by growth spurts, muscle imbalance, incorrect technique, a change or increase in usual training load, a change or additional rehearsal and performance schedule, or incorrectly fitting footwear, especially pointe shoes.
The most common overuse injuries in dancers fall into three categories including; tendinopathies, sprains (injuries that involve ligaments) and strains (injuries that affect muscles). Some common overuse injuries for ballet dancers include:
- Back
- Hip
- Iliopsoas Tendinopathy
- Snapping Hip
- Trochanteric Bursitis
- Labral Tear.
- Knee
- Leg and Ankle
- Foot
- Trigger Toe
- Bunions
- Sesamoiditis
- MTPJ inflammation
- Foot Stress Fracture.
Dance injuries and prevention strategies are best developed with the assistance of a dance physiotherapist.
More Information:
Article by Zoe Russell
Sports Physiotherapy FAQs
Sports Physiotherapy is the specialised branch of physiotherapy which deals with injuries and issues related to spokespeople. Practitioners with additional formal training within Australia are Sports & Exercise Physiotherapists.
What is Sports Physiotherapy?
Sports injuries do differ from common everyday injuries. Athletes usually require high-level performance and demands placed upon their bodies, which stresses their muscles, joints and bones to the limit. Sports physiotherapists help athletes recover from sporting injuries and provide education and resources to prevent problems. Each sports physiotherapist usually has sport-specific knowledge that addresses acute, chronic and overuse injuries. Their services are generally available to sportsmen and women of all ages engaged in sports at any level of competition.
Members of Sports Physiotherapy Australia (SPA) have experience and knowledge of the latest evidence-based practice, professional assessment and diagnosis of sports injuries, and effective hands-on management techniques and exercise protocols to assist recovery and prevent future damage. SPA members have access to the most recent advances in sports physiotherapy. You'll be pleased to know that most PhysioWorks physiotherapists and massage therapists are particularly interested in sports injury management.
General Sports Physio FAQs
- Sports Physiotherapy
- Acute Sports Injury Clinics
- Sports Physiotherapy Treatment
- Youth Sports Injuries
Injury Management
- Sports Injury? What to do? When?
- When Can You Back to Sport?
- Sports-Related Injuries
- Knee Sports Injuries
- Sports Health Conditions
Sports Massage
Sports Insurance
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More Information
Common Ligament Injuries
Ligament Injury
Ligament injuries frequently occur in various body parts, leading to pain and restricted movement. The most common sites include the knee, ankle, shoulder, wrist, hand, and spine.
Notably, knee injuries like ACL, PCL, MCL, and LCL sprains are prevalent.
Shoulder injuries often involve the AC joint, while wrist and hand issues can include thumb and finger sprains.
Spinal ligament injuries, such as back and neck sprains, and whiplash, are also significant. Understanding these injuries helps in prevention, early detection, and effective treatment.
- Ankle Ligament Injuries
- Knee Ligament Injuries
- Shoulder Ligament Injuries
- Wrist & Hand Ligament Injuries
- Spinal Ligament Injuries
Ankle Ligament Injuries
Ankle injuries often result from sudden twists or rolls, leading to sprains and strains.
Knee Ligament Injuries
Knee ligament injuries are among the most common and can severely impact mobility and quality of life.
- ACL Injury
- PCL Injury
- MCL Sprain
- LCL Sprain
- Posterolateral Corner Injury
- Patella Dislocation
- Superior Tibiofibular Joint Sprain
Shoulder Ligament Injuries
Shoulder ligament injuries can be debilitating, affecting a range of movements.
Wrist & Hand Ligament Injuries
Injuries in the wrist and hand are common, especially in sports and physical activities.
Spinal Ligament Injuries
Spinal ligament injuries can result from various causes, including posture issues and physical impacts.
Related Articles
- Ligament Tear - Common Ligament Injuries: Offers a comprehensive overview of ligament injuries across different body parts, including prevention, early detection, and effective treatment strategies.
- Knee Ligament Injury - A Physiotherapist's Guide & Tips: Provides insights into diagnosing knee pain, covering ligament issues among other concerns, and suggests pain relief methods through exercise and treatment.
- Common Ankle Ligament Injuries: A Physiotherapist's Guide: Discusses the treatment and prevention strategies for ankle ligament injuries, emphasising the importance of early intervention.
- Sprained Ankle Treatment & Recovery Guide: Offers detailed guidance on the recovery timelines for sprained ankles, highlighting the importance of restoring strength, motion, and function for a full recovery.
- Ankle Strapping: Complete Guide To Injury Prevention: Focuses on preventing ankle injuries through effective strapping techniques and discusses conditions like ankle arthritis and biomechanical issues.
- Sub-Acute Soft Tissue Injury: Explores the treatment and recovery process for various ligament injuries, including those affecting the knee, shoulder, wrist, hand, and spine.
- Sprained Thumb Treatment And Recovery Tips: Delivers practical tips for treating and recovering from a sprained thumb, along with general management strategies for wrist and hand pain.