Dance PT Podcast

🎙️ The Dance PT Podcast: Protecting the Lateral Collateral Ligament (LCL) in Dancers

Your dancer’s knees are their silent partners on stage, and the LCL—that strong band on the outer side of the knee—plays a key role in stability during leaps, pivots, and landings. In this episode, Jenna Kantor, PT, DPT, Dance PT certified, breaks down:

How LCL injuries happen during dance and stage performance

Signs and symptoms to look out for

Evidence-based physical therapy strategies to restore mobility, strength, and stability

Dance-specific rehab tips and prevention techniques

When imaging can help—and when your assessment is enough

Whether you’re working with professional dancers, students, or other performers, this episode gives you the clinical insight and practical tools to help your patients get back to the stage safely.

Connect with other dance PTs/PTAs in the Dance Physical Therapists Facebook Group and explore the Dance PT Program CEU Course at danceptprogram.com

to take your dance rehab skills even further.

Low back pain is one of the most common—and most disruptive—issues dancers face, yet it’s often misunderstood. In this episode of the Dance PT Podcast, Jenna Kantor, PT, DPT, and Dance PT certified, breaks down how to evaluate, treat, and prevent low back pain specifically for dancers.

You’ll learn:

How to assess low back pain in dancers and identify the underlying movement patterns

Evidence-based physical therapy interventions, including strength, flexibility, and manual therapy strategies

Prevention tips to keep dancers performing safely and confidently

How imaging fits into the assessment process

Whether you’re a PT, PTA, or student treating dancers, this episode is packed with clinical insights, story-driven examples, and practical tools to help your dancers stay on stage pain-free.

Connect with other dance PTs/PTAs in the Dance Physical Therapists Facebook Group, and explore advanced learning through the Dance PT Program CEU course at danceptprogram.com

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Low back pain is one of the most common—and most disruptive—issues dancers face, yet it’s often misunderstood. In this episode of the Dance PT Podcast, Jenna Kantor, PT, DPT, and Dance PT certified, breaks down how to evaluate, treat, and prevent low back pain specifically for dancers.

You’ll learn:

How to assess low back pain in dancers and identify the underlying movement patterns

Evidence-based physical therapy interventions, including strength, flexibility, and manual therapy strategies

Prevention tips to keep dancers performing safely and confidently

How imaging fits into the assessment process

Whether you’re a PT, PTA, or student treating dancers, this episode is packed with clinical insights, story-driven examples, and practical tools to help your dancers stay on stage pain-free.

Connect with other dance PTs/PTAs in the Dance Physical Therapists Facebook Group, and explore advanced learning through the Dance PT Program CEU course at danceptprogram.com

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In this episode of The Dance PT Podcast, host Jenna Kantor, PT, DPT, and Dance PT Certified, dives into one of the most underestimated injuries in the dance world — lower extremity stress fractures.

From ballet dancers going en pointe to Broadway performers pounding the stage eight shows a week, repetitive impact and fatigue can create the perfect storm for a bone stress injury. Jenna breaks down how to recognize the signs early, when to refer for imaging, and how to design a safe, evidence-based rehab progression that keeps dancers performing strong — not sidelined.

Learn how to differentiate between shin splints and stress fractures, what research says about early intervention, and practical tips for preventing recurrence through load management, nutrition, and smart training design.

Whether you’re already treating dancers or just beginning your journey in performing arts physical therapy, this episode offers actionable strategies, clinical insight, and mentorship-style guidance to help you excel in this niche.

👉 Tune in to discover:

Key clinical signs of stress fractures in dancers

When to recommend MRI over X-ray

Effective PT interventions from rest to return-to-performance

Prevention through education, nutrition, and training load awareness

🎙️ Join the conversation in the Dance Physical Therapists Facebook Group — and if you’re ready to deepen your expertise in treating and marketing to dancers, visit danceptprogram.com

to explore the Dance PT Program CEU course.

Tech rehearsals — the make-or-break phase where the magic finally comes together — can also be a minefield for injuries if you’re treating dancers and “movers” in musical theatre.

In this episode, Dr. Jenna Kantor dives deep into the physical realities of tech week, focusing on the unique challenges faced by dancers and performers who move well but aren’t necessarily trained to handle repetitive choreography and long rehearsal hours. From overuse injuries and sprains to vocal strain and back issues, Jenna shares clinical insights backed by research and years of treating stage performers.

You’ll learn:

The most common injuries during tech rehearsals (and why they spike this week)

How to identify and treat overuse and impact injuries in dancers

Why vocal strain and posture-related issues are often missed in PT evaluations

Preventative warm-up and recovery strategies that actually fit into a rehearsal schedule

When and how to use imaging in this population

If you’re a PT or PTA treating performing artists — or want to start — this episode gives you actionable clinical pearls you can apply immediately in your dancer caseload.

👉 Stay connected with other dance PTs and PTAs by joining the Dance Physical Therapists Facebook Group, and if you want to deepen your clinical and business expertise, check out the Dance PT Program CEU Course at danceptprogram.com

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In this episode of The Dance PT Podcast, Jenna dives deep into one of the most overlooked aspects of dance performance—nutrition. From understanding how macronutrients support strength and stamina to uncovering how micronutrients influence injury prevention, Jenna breaks down the science into dancer-specific insights that every physical therapist and PTA needs to know.

Learn how under-fueling shows up in your clinical practice, what red flags to look for on imaging, and how to guide your dancers toward sustainable, performance-boosting nutrition habits. This episode isn’t about dieting—it’s about fueling artistry through science.

Jenna also shares how you, as a dance PT or PTA, can help bridge the gap between rehab and performance by recognizing the metabolic and psychological factors that influence recovery and training outcomes.

Whether your patients are prepping for a national tour, a college showcase, or their first Nutcracker season, this episode will help you level up your approach and truly understand what it means to fuel the dancer.

👉 Connect with other dance clinicians inside the Dance Physical Therapists Facebook Group

👉 Explore the Dance PT Program CEU Course at danceptprogram.com

to deepen your skills in treating and marketing to dancers.

Your dancer’s ankles are doing so much more than you think. They’re the unsung heroes—absorbing shock during jumps, controlling turn landings, and stabilizing every plié. Yet, for such small joints, they’re responsible for over half of all lower-extremity injuries in dancers (Frontiers in Sports and Active Living, 2022).

In this episode, host Jenna Kantor, PT, DPT, Dance PT Certified, breaks down the clinical science, rehab strategies, and performance applications of ankle strengthening in dancers. From progressive calf raise programs and theraband control drills to imaging considerations and hypermobility management, you’ll get actionable treatment ideas you can use immediately in the clinic.

Whether you’re working with pre-professionals or Broadway pros, this episode helps you think beyond pain reduction — and start treating the ankle as a performance powerhouse.

You’ll learn:

Why dancer ankles are more than just stabilizers—they’re shock absorbers and propulsion engines.

Evidence-based strengthening and proprioception progressions that reduce reinjury risk.

Imaging guidelines (MRI vs. ultrasound) and when to refer.

How to coach dancers toward performance longevity without overtraining their feet and ankles.

👉 Join the conversation! Connect with other physical therapists and PTAs who treat dancers in the Dance Physical Therapists Facebook Group and share your clinical pearls.

And if you’re ready to deepen your dancer rehab knowledge and learn how to grow your dancer caseload, explore the Dance PT Program CEU Course at danceptprogram.com

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Because when it comes to dancers—every relevé, every landing, and every leap begins (and ends) with the ankle.

When we talk about flexibility in dancers, it’s easy to think of beautiful lines, deep splits, and sky-high extensions—but flexibility is so much more than aesthetic range. It’s a vital component of dancer health, performance, and longevity.

In this episode of The Dance PT Podcast, host Jenna Kantor, PT, DPT, Dance PT Certified, explores the clinical side of flexibility—how it prevents injuries, supports technique, and interacts with strength and control.

You’ll hear research-backed insights from sports medicine and dance science, plus practical treatment ideas for PTs and PTAs working with dancers. We’ll cover:

Why flexibility alone isn’t the goal—controlled mobility is.

How excessive range and instability can lead to injury.

Evidence-based flexibility and mobility training methods for dancers.

The role of imaging and functional assessment in flexibility-related complaints.

Real-world treatment examples from clinical practice.

Whether you’re helping dancers prep for performance or recover from injury, this episode will help you build smarter, safer, and more effective programs that keep them dancing strong.

👉 Join the Dance Physical Therapists Facebook Group to connect with other dance PTs/PTAs.

👉 Ready to go deeper into dancer evaluation, treatment progressions, and marketing your niche? Visit danceptprogram.com

to learn more about the Dance PT Program CEU Course.

For dancers and performers, the elbow is more than just a joint—it’s a powerhouse for movement, expression, and stability. In this episode, Jenna Kantor, PT, DPT, Dance PT certified, walks physical therapists and PTAs through everything you need to know about elbow fractures in dancers.

Learn how to:

Identify different types of elbow fractures and key signs to watch for

Support dancers during immobilization and post-cast rehabilitation

Restore range of motion, strength, endurance, and dance-specific skills

Prevent reinjury through education, technique, and conditioning

This episode blends clinical evidence, research-based guidelines, and practical strategies to help your performers return safely to the stage.

Resources:

Join the Dance PT Facebook Group to connect with other PTs/PTAs treating dancers

Explore the Dance PT Program CEU Course for in-depth learning on treating all dancers and marketing your practice: danceptprogram.com

Knee health is critical for dancers, and sometimes unique conditions like a discoid meniscus can fly under the radar until pain, catching, or instability shows up in the studio. In this episode, Jenna Kantor, PT, DPT, Dance PT Certified, walks physical therapists and PTAs through:

Understanding what a discoid meniscus is and how it differs from a normal meniscus

Recognizing early signs and symptoms in dancers

Evidence-based PT strategies for pre- and post-surgical care

Dance-specific rehab and prevention techniques to maintain safe, sustainable movement

Whether you’re preparing dancers for surgery, helping them recover, or optimizing long-term knee health, this episode gives practical, clinically relevant tools to support your performers.

Resources Mentioned:

Dance PT Facebook Group — connect with other dance PTs/PTAs

Dance PT Program CEU Course — deepen your expertise at danceptprogram.com

🎧 Listen now and empower your dancers to move pain-free and safely back into their craft.