The Dance Physio Podcast

Dance has powerful health benefits, especially for adult populations. In this episode, we dive into the physical benefits, the mental & cognitive benefits and the social & emotional benefits of dance and how they stack up against other physical activities when it comes to preventative health.

Additional podcast episodes mentioned in this episode:
Episode 124: 5 Pillars of Longevity for Adult Dancers

Learn more about Erika Mayall:

• Follow me on Instagram: @dancephysioerika
• Learn more about me on my website: https://www.allegroperformance.com
• Sign up for my newsletter: Click here
• Send me an email: [email protected]

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Most people within the dance industry are now starting to understand and accept the importance of strength training for dancers. But a lot of what we see presented as 'strength' training may not actually fit the criteria. In this episode, we explore the difference between strength training and dance specific conditioning and discuss when we might consider using one vs the other.

Resources:
Jason Harrison @presenttensefitness

Additional podcast episodes mentioned in this episode:
Episode 7: Dance Conditioning - Cross training vs supplementary training
Episode 55: Strength Training for Dancers
Episode 137: The #1 Functional Task Most Dancers Struggle With

Learn more about Erika Mayall:

• Follow me on Instagram: @dancephysioerika
• Learn more about me on my website: https://www.allegroperformance.com
• Sign up for my newsletter: Click here
• Send me an email: [email protected]

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In this episode we discuss all things related to meniscus injuries in dance. You'll learn what the meniscus is, why it's important for the function of the knee, as well as common ways that dancers can injure their meniscus. We also discuss different types of meniscus injuries, how to diagnose and treat them, and finally what rehabilitation from meniscal injuries looks like.

Learn more about Erika Mayall:

• Follow me on Instagram: @dancephysioerika
• Learn more about me on my website: https://www.allegroperformance.com
• Sign up for my newsletter: Click here
• Send me an email: [email protected]

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More and more dancers are interested in careers in and around dance medicine, but relatively little information exists about pathways into these careers. In this episode, I discuss some of the options for dancers who are interested in pursuing dance medicine and science pathways for post secondary education.

Resources:
IADMS Student and Early Career Professionals page
Dance Magazine College Guide
NEDO Dance College Guide

Additional podcast episodes mentioned in this episode:
Episode 1: My Journey as a Dance Physiotherapist

Learn more about Erika Mayall:

• Follow me on Instagram: @dancephysioerika
• Learn more about me on my website: https://www.allegroperformance.com
• Sign up for my newsletter: Click here
• Send me an email: [email protected]

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Unfortunately injuries are a common occurrence in the dance industry, but knowing what to do when one occurs can make an uncertain or scary situation a bit more manageable. In this episode, I answer the question of who to go see when an injury occurs, as well as what sort of questions you should be asking your healthcare provider and the information you should be equipped with when you leave your appointment.

Learn more about Erika Mayall:

• Follow me on Instagram: @dancephysioerika
• Learn more about me on my website: https://www.allegroperformance.com
• Sign up for my newsletter: Click here
• Send me an email: [email protected]

Support the show

Back by popular demand, another Q&A style episode. 

In part 4 of this series, we tackle questions like 

• How to best implement strength training into your studio schedule
• How to improve arabesque and developpé height safely
• How to deal with dance teachers crossing professional boundaries
• And, how to support dancers who 'know' they need strength training, but resist it

Have a question you want answered on a future episode? Send me an email or a DM on social media and I'll add it to the list for next time!

Learn more about Erika Mayall:

• Follow me on Instagram: @dancephysioerika
• Learn more about me on my website: https://www.allegroperformance.com
• Sign up for my newsletter: Click here
• Send me an email: [email protected]

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The start of the new dance season is just around the corner, and with it comes an increase in early season dance injuries. On this week's episode we're discussing why we see a spike in injuries at the beginning of the season, what dancer's should be doing NOW (ie before the season starts) to prepare their body, and what they should be doing the first 4-6 weeks of the season to make sure your season isn't derailed by injury when it's just getting started.

Additional podcast episodes mentioned in this episode:
Episode 6: Periodization in Dance
Episode 10: Training Load Management for Dancers

Learn more about Erika Mayall:

• Follow me on Instagram: @dancephysioerika
• Learn more about me on my website: https://www.allegroperformance.com
• Sign up for my newsletter: Click here
• Send me an email: [email protected]

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A bit of a different podcast episode this week as I've recently returned from the Calgary Dance Teacher Expo and I wanted to share some of the my experience and reflections on the event. Have a listen to hear about the expo, what I thought about both exhibiting and presenting, as well as my key take-aways from the event.

Learn more about Erika Mayall:

• Follow me on Instagram: @dancephysioerika
• Learn more about me on my website: https://www.allegroperformance.com
• Sign up for my newsletter: Click here
• Send me an email: [email protected]

Support the show

In this week's podcast episode, I am fortunate to sit down with Dr Stephanie Potreck from AusDancersOverseas. Dr. Potreck is a sports nutritionist and expert in the field of low energy availability and especially how it affects dancers health and performance. In this conversation, we discuss her journey in the dance world and transition into medicine, how the field is rapidly changing, and whether RED-S/RED-D exists as a separate entity or whether it is tied to the larger picture of stress physiology/allostatic load. 

*disclaimer: please be aware that this episode discusses topics including eating disorders, disordered eating, and body image. Some of the discussions may be triggering for individuals currently struggling with or in recovery*

About Stephanie:
Dr. Stephanie Potreck is a medical doctor, sports nutritionist, researcher and former dancer whose work challenges the idea that complex health problems have simple explanations. 

 Her clinical and research interests include low energy availability, eating disorders, stress physiology, female athlete health and the unique demands of dance. She is particularly interested in the overlap between REDs, allostatic load and the broader neuroendocrine adaptations seen in athletes under chronic physical and psychological stress. 

 Stephanie is passionate about translating science into practical conversations that empower dancers, clinicians and educators to ask better questions; not just arrive at faster answers 

Connect with Stephanie:
Substack: Life of a Dance Nutrition Doctor
Instagram: @AusDancersOverseas

Learn more about Erika Mayall:

• Follow me on Instagram: @dancephysioerika
• Learn more about me on my website: https://www.allegroperformance.com
• Sign up for my newsletter: Click here
• Send me an email: [email protected]

Support the show

Balance is a complex task that requires skilled practice, especially at the level required by dancers. Simply standing on one leg in a static passé or relevé position is often not enough to see the improvements most dancers are looking for. In this episode, I break down the 3 major components of balance, and why understanding what is affecting our balance is the key to training it effectively.

Learn more about Erika Mayall:

• Follow me on Instagram: @dancephysioerika
• Learn more about me on my website: https://www.allegroperformance.com
• Sign up for my newsletter: Click here
• Send me an email: [email protected]

Support the show