From Danville Regional Health
System
Better Health Magazine Archives
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From Danville Regional Health
System
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Like any other physically demanding activity, dance requires a solid foundation. However, many young girls start dance programs without good postural alignment and strong, flexible muscles - putting themselves at risk for injuries. Thanks to a new rehabilitation program at Danville Regional Medical Center, these dancers are building the sturdy base they need to improve their performance.
Hayes enlisted the help of Tracey Ewing, a Pediatric Physical Therapist at Danville Regional Medical Center, who has 13 years of experience in Danville's dance schools. Together they developed a program to address the specific problems dancers were having. With the help of dance instructors, Hayes and Ewing are offering free postural and function screenings at the studios to help identify potential injury-causing limitations.
"Following a physician referral, we evaluate the patient to look for limitation in motion and strength and to assess how the body is compensating for those limitations," explained Hayes. "Then we reeducate the brain and the muscles to work together properly." After working with the physical therapist, the dancer is given an individually tailored exercise program to practice at home.
Once the dancers develop proper skeletal alignment and strong muscles that are able to stretch to their full length, they are able to train their bodies to move with more fluidity and grace. And most importantly, they can prevent the injuries that could keep them from giving their strongest performances.
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"The idea for the program began when I was working with a young dancer who needed therapy because of an injury from a fall that occurred during a dance class," said Herby Hayes, a Physical Therapist at Danville Regional Medical Center. "However, she had a pre-existing condition that appeared to be the reason why she fell. After beginning physical therapy treatment, she recognized others in her class who had similar problems and helped us to realize that there were many other dancers who needed help."