Dancing Screenings

Karrie Malan is a physiotherapist with experience and training in dance specific injuries and technique modification.

A dancing screening uses simple tests, exercises and ballet movements to assess a dancer's technique, areas of good control or weakness.  

If testing shows up issues, dancers are given exercises to improve these, before safely progressing to pointe work.

A Pre-pointe Screening:

• Reduces risk of future ankle & foot injuries
• Assesses if the dancer is ready to progress to pointe work
• Teaches dancers exercises to master muscle control to avoid overloading other muscles and joints
• Focuses on ankle control & turnout technique as these are two key areas for dancers, and weakness in these areas commonly leads to injuries

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What to Expect:

• Questions about your concerns, past injuries, dancing load or technique issues your teacher has mentioned to you
• Simple tests, exercises and ballet movements to assess your technique, areas of good control or weakness, as well as stiffness or hypermobility.
• If we find areas of weakness that could put you at risk of injury, we'll set you some exercises to practice, then touch base 2-3 weeks later to check that you've improved.
• Then we either progress them to a more difficult version to , or do a short consult just to double check and send you on to safely start pointe work!
• Please note if you have a current injury that needs physio treatment, this will require a separate session.
• We ask that a parent or guardian be present for people under the age of 18.
• With your consent, we contact your dancing teacher with a brief note to say what issues we've discovered and been working on.            
• This allows them to keep an eye out and cue the same things to help you improve during dance lessons.

What to Wear:

Please wear leggings and a tight top, and your dance shoes to allow your physio to easily see your lower back, hips, knees and ankles.

If you already have pointed shoes, please bring them along.

Learn more about FLEX Health Therapy through our About page.