What Is Dance Physical Therapy?

Dance Physical Therapy is a specialized form of physical therapy for dancers that focuses on injury prevention, rehabilitation, and performance enhancement. It combines medical expertise with a deep understanding of dance technique, biomechanics, and movement patterns to keep dancers healthy and performing at their best.

Dance Rehabilitation vs. Dance Performance Training

Dance Rehabilitation

Who it’s for: Dancers with injury, pain, or medical conditions (Includes hypermobility (EDS) and dysautonomia)

Payment: Typically covered by insurance

Focus: Getting you back to what you were doing before

Goals: Reduce pain, Heal injury, Restore function, Safely return to dance

Dance Performance Training

Who it’s for: Healthy, uninjured dancers

Payment: Typically cash pay, May be FSA/HSA eligible

Focus: Helping you reach the next level

Goals:, Improve technique, strength, and control, Increase endurance and power, Enhance performance

Performance Services: Pointe readiness assessments, Pointe preparation programs, Injury prevention, Cross-training programming

Dance Physical Therapy for Injury Prevention and Performance

Unlike traditional physical therapy, Dance Physical Therapy is designed specifically for the unique demands of dance. Dancers require a balance of strength, flexibility, control, and artistry, and treatment plans are tailored to support these needs.

Key focus areas include:

• Improving dance technique and movement efficiency
• Preventing common dance injuries
• Enhancing strength, balance, and flexibility
• Supporting safe return to dance after injury

Common Dance Injuries Treated

Dance Physical Therapy helps treat and prevent a wide range of injuries, including:

• Foot and ankle injuries (sprains, Achilles tendinitis, pointe-related pain)
• Knee pain and patellar tracking issues
• Hip pain and labral irritation
• Low back pain and core weakness
• Overuse injuries and stress reactions
• Hypermobility/EDS and dysautonomia

Whether you’re recovering from an injury or looking to improve performance, Dance Physical Therapy helps you stay strong, move better, and keep dancing.

Call Apex Physical Therapy to learn whether Dance Rehabilitation or Dance Performance Training is the best fit for your goals.

Apex Physical Therapy – Spokane Location
With Katriel Smit, PT, DPT