Pelvic health for dancers is an area of clinical practice that is currently growing in research and awareness. This week on the podcast, I'm joined by Dr. Brooke Winder to discuss pelvic health issues that are common in dancers. In this episode, we cover common pelvic health symptoms that dancers (of all ages) may experience, why stubborn back, pelvic girdle or hip pain may actually be related to your pelvic floor, and how certain cueing or technique used in dance may be contributing to pelvi...
Progressing to pointe work has long been considered a rite of passage for many aspiring ballet dancers. However, it does not come without risks. Dancing en pointe increases the forces placed on the foot by up to 12x bodyweight, and if progressed too soon can lead to an increased risk of pain and injury. Historically, dancers were thought to be ready to start training en pointe at 12 years of age. However, with advances in dance science, it is now known that there are many complex factor...
Did you know that despite ballet being predominantly populated by cis gender girls in training settings (92% in the UK), men take up the vast majority of leadership roles (artistic directors, choreographers etc). In this week's podcast episode, I sit down with Anna Morgan to chat about her master's research into gender equity in ballet leadership and training, and what she's learned over the past few years diving into this data. She shares some of the problems that arise when ballet is taught...
In this episode, I discuss hip dysplasia and why it matters for dancers. You'll learn exactly what hip dysplasia is, how it is diagnosed, and common complications that may arise for dancers with hip dysplasia. You'll also learn teaching and treatment techniques to help minimize the effects of hip dysplasia for dancers. Learn more about Erika Mayall: Follow me on Instagram: @dancephysioerikaLearn more about me on my website: https://www.allegroperformance.comSign up for my newsletter: Click he...
In this podcast episode I recap my recent presentation at the IADMS Annual Conference in Las Vegas, a workshop with longtime friend, mentor and colleague Astrid Sherman. Comprised of 26 bones, 33 joints and hundreds of muscles, the foot is a complex structure. It functions to support the body, absorb shock, and facilitate movement through locomotion. It can also give us information about how a dancer is moving and functioning. Clenching toes when “pointing the foot” in plantar flexion, grippi...
In this episode I'm joined by Dr. Julieann Berg, physical therapist and Latin dancer extraordinaire. We chat about common injuries she sees in the Latin dance community, why strength training is so important for dancers, and how to determine if you're ready to dance in heels. About Julieann Dr. Julieann Berg is a Doctor of Physical Therapy, Latin dancer, and the dance community’s go-to PT. With over 25 years of dance experience and 8 years in clinical practice, she specializes in helpin...
I'm freshly back from the International Association for Dance Medicine and Science Annual conference in Las Vegas and feeling refreshed and inspired. In this podcast episode, I recap my time at the conference and highlight my top 5 takeaways from the conference. Learn more about Erika Mayall: Follow me on Instagram: @dancephysioerikaLearn more about me on my website: https://www.allegroperformance.comSign up for my newsletter: Click hereSend me an email: hello@allegroperformance.com
In this special milestone podcast episode, I reflect back on the past 100 episodes of The Dance Physio Podcast, and celebrate the community that has been created through the podcast. Through generous support from some incredible sponsors, we also have some amazing giveaways, specially curated for you! Prize giveaway is open until end of day, September 30th, 2025. Listen to the episode to find out how to enter. Winners will be drawn at random from all entries received. Sponsors: The Da...
A question I often get from dance parents is 'how can I help my dancer advocate for themselves in the studio?'. Although I love the care and intention behind this question, I actually think we're approaching the whole situation wrong. In this podcast episode, I discuss why I think that's the case and how we can flip our thinking to actually better support our dancers. In a culture where dancers are already vulnerable to power dynamics, asking them to advocate for themselves is just one more e...
Patellar tendinopathy (also known as Jumper's Knee) is a common issue in dancers. Similar to achilles tendinopathy, we often see a spike in the rates of patellar tendinopathy early in the dance season. In this episode you'll learn: exactly what patellar tendinopathy iscommon signs & symptoms of ittreatment & management strategies for dancers Other episodes mentioned in this podcast: Episode 50: Tendonitis in Dancers Episode 59: Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome in Dancers Episode 97:...
Achilles tendinopathy is a common issue in dancers, especially among styles with a lot of relevé, pointe work or jumping. In this episode, I talk about why we see a spike in achilles tendinopathy early in the season and what we can do about this. In this episode you'll also learn: exactly what achilles tendinopathy iscommon signs & symptoms of ittreatment & management strategies things to consider for prevention Other episodes mentioned in this podcast: Episode 50: Tendonit...
As you may or may not have heard, the Royal Ballet School recently announced changes in the structure to their full time vocational training program. Starting in 2026 they will no longer be accepting students in year 7 (11-12 years old) and in 2027 will follow suit with students in year 8 (12-13 years old). In this week's podcast episode I discuss these changes and some of the rationale behind them, what this will practically look like for students going forward, and why I think this co...
The new dance season is fast approaching in most of North America, and on this week's podcast episode I discuss some things to consider as we head into a new season. Every year, we see an increase in injury rates in the first 6 weeks of a new dance year. This is for a variety of reasons, but some of the most common ones are dancers doing too much too soon, dancers who are coming into the season fatigued and under-recovered from not having a proper off-season, and dancers who are dealing with ...
There has (once again?) been a proliferation of posts on social media glorifying unsafe and extreme stretching practices. In this podcast episode I unpack why I think that is, and what we can do to address it. Traditional flexibility programs for dancers often only focus on passive stretching. In this episode you'll learn my 5-pronged approach to designing a flexibility program which will not only benefit more of your dancers, but do so in a safe way that won't risk injury. Learn more about...
In this episode I'm joined by Samuel Downing, Dance Conditioning and Safe Stretch Coach, as we chat about the role dance conditioning plays in supporting dancers to reach their full potential. Samuel discusses his career as a professional dancer and how he discovered the world of strength and conditioning while training in NYC. Samuel is a wealth of knowledge when it comes to dancer fitness and conditioning, and we hear about how he now brings his innovative programs to dancer's worldwide wit...
In this week's podcast episode I'm joined by stress resilience coach Jessica Patching-Bunch (aka JPB) to discuss all things related to stress and the nervous system. We discuss what stress actually is, and why it's not always a bad thing. We chat about nervous system regulation, and what this might look like in a dance setting for both dancers and teachers. JPB also introduces us to the term nervous system hygiene and gives practical ways (mindfulness, breath work, social support etc) to inco...
I'm just returned from the 43rd Annual PAMA International Symposium in Washington, DC and nothing inspires me more than spending time and sharing ideas with other professionals who are also passionate about performer health and wellness. In this podcast episode, I reflect on some of the common themes that emerged from this year's conference including the lack of occupational health and safety in the arts, training load management and periodization for dancers, concussions in circus arts and d...
As the weather heats up in the Northern Hemisphere and summer training programs are in full swing, it's important to consider how to keep dancers safe when dancing in the heat. In this episode, you'll learn how to recognize the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion, and how to differentiate it from heat stroke. I'll also cover the four most important things to prioritize to keep our dancers safe when dancing in the heat. Learn more about Erika Mayall: Follow me on Instagram: @dancephysioeri...
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 have shifted throughout the years as the field of dance science has evolved. Sarah also shares her insight ...
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 about specifically working with dancers, whether I'd let my own child dance, and so much more! If you have a question you...