Dance Physio Glenelg
Dance Injury Physiotherapy in Glenelg
Dance places unique demands on the body. Whether you dance recreationally, competitively or at a pre-professional level, pain and injury can affect your ability to train, perform and progress with confidence.
At Rebuild Physio Glenelg, we provide physiotherapy and rehabilitation for dancers experiencing pain, injury or difficulty returning to dance.
Our physiotherapist Hannah has a strong background in dance, including full-time training through the Australian Ballet School and experience teaching ballet. This gives her an understanding of both the physical demands of dance and the rehabilitation required to help dancers return to training and performance.
Physiotherapy for Dancers
Dance requires a combination of strength, mobility, control, coordination and the ability to tolerate repeated training loads.
Injuries can occur suddenly, such as an ankle sprain during a landing, or develop gradually as training volume and physical demands increase.
A physiotherapy assessment can help identify factors contributing to your symptoms and establish a rehabilitation plan based on your individual needs and dance goals.
Treatment and rehabilitation may include:
Assessment of your injury and relevant dance movements
Strength and conditioning
Mobility and flexibility exercises where appropriate
Balance and movement-control training
Hands-on treatment when indicated
Advice around training load and symptom management
Progressive return-to-dance rehabilitation
Our aim is not simply to settle pain, but to help you rebuild the physical capacity required for dance.
Common Dance Injuries We Treat
Dancers can experience injuries throughout the foot, ankle, knee, hip and spine.
Common dance-related presentations we assess include:
Ankle sprains and recurrent ankle instability
Foot and ankle pain
Achilles tendon and posterior ankle pain
Calf injuries
Shin pain
Knee and kneecap pain
Hip and groin pain
Hamstring injuries
Lower back pain
Overuse and training-related injuries
Every dancer and injury is different. Your rehabilitation should reflect your symptoms, training history, current capacity and the movements you need to return to.
Meet Hannah: Physiotherapist With a Background in Dance
Hannah is a physiotherapist at Rebuild Physio Glenelg with a strong background in dance and a particular interest in dance injury rehabilitation.
Hannah completed full-time training through the Australian Ballet School, providing her with first-hand experience of the physical demands of high-level dance and a strong foundation in movement quality, control, strength and load management.
Her experience also includes teaching ballet, supporting her understanding of technique, training progression and injury considerations in young and pre-professional dancers.
This background allows Hannah to combine her physiotherapy knowledge with an understanding of the demands dancers face during training and performance.
When working with an injured dancer, Hannah considers factors such as strength, movement control, training load and the specific physical requirements of their dance discipline when developing an individual rehabilitation program.
Pre-Pointe Assessments in Glenelg
Preparing to begin pointe work is an exciting milestone for young ballet dancers. Before progressing onto pointe, it is important to consider whether a dancer has developed the strength, mobility, control and technical foundations required for the increased demands of pointe work.
At Rebuild Physio Glenelg, Hannah offers 45-minute Pre-Pointe Assessments to help dancers and their families better understand their physical readiness for pointe.
The assessment considers foot and ankle mobility, calf strength and endurance, balance, lower limb control, injury history and current dance training. Hannah also considers the dancer’s technical development and any relevant guidance from their ballet teacher.
Following the assessment, dancers receive individualised feedback and recommendations. Where appropriate, exercises may be provided to address areas requiring further development.
Book a Pre-Pointe Assessment with Hannah at Rebuild Physio Glenelg.
Dance Injury Rehabilitation
Rehabilitation for dancers should prepare the body for the movements and training demands required to return to dance.
Depending on the injury and stage of recovery, rehabilitation may progressively incorporate:
Lower-limb and trunk strength
Foot and ankle strength
Balance and single-leg control
Jumping and landing
Movement control
Dance-specific movements
Gradual increases in training volume
As symptoms improve and capacity increases, rehabilitation can progress toward the movements that matter to you.
Do I Need to Stop Dancing if I’m Injured?
Not necessarily.
Some injuries require temporary rest from particular movements, while others can be managed by modifying training while rehabilitation takes place.
The appropriate approach depends on your injury, symptoms and current capacity.
A physiotherapist can help determine what you can safely continue doing and develop a plan to progressively increase your dance training as you recover.
When Should a Dancer See a Physiotherapist?
Consider having your injury assessed if:
Pain is affecting your ability to dance or train
Symptoms continue to return
You are modifying movements or technique because of pain
You have experienced a recent injury
Your training volume has increased and pain has developed
You are struggling to return to dance after an injury
You feel that strength, mobility or confidence is limiting your return
Early assessment can help establish what may be contributing to the problem and provide a clearer pathway forward.
Dance Physiotherapy in Glenelg, Adelaide
Rebuild Physio is located in Glenelg, South Australia, and provides physiotherapy for dancers from Glenelg and surrounding Adelaide suburbs.
Whether you are a recreational dancer, competitive dancer or progressing through more intensive dance training, we can assess your injury and develop an individual rehabilitation plan based on your goals.
Book With Hannah
If pain or injury is affecting your dancing, book an appointment with Hannah at Rebuild Physio Glenelg.
Hannah combines her physiotherapy training with her background in dance to provide assessment, treatment and progressive rehabilitation designed around the demands of dance.
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Opening hours
7am – 7pm
7am – 7pm
7am – 7pm
7am – 7pm
7am – 6pm
8am – 12pm
where to find us
1 Nile St Glenelg, South Australia
Physiotherapists who will get you back on your feet!
Rebuild Physio provides professional and effective physiotherapy treatments perfect for residents in Glenelg and the surrounding areas, including:
- Brighton
- Glenelg
- Henley Beach
- Lockleys
- Marion
- Novar Gardens
- Plympton
- Seacliff
- Somerton Park
- West Beach
where to find us
1 Nile St Glenelg, South Australia
Phone 0408 085 931
Opening hours
Monday to Thursday, 7am – 7pm
Friday, 7am – 6pm
Saturday, 8am – 12pm
Sunday, Closed
