With over 600 muscles, 206 bones and countless nerves, ligaments, and tendons in the body, it’s almost impossible for dancers, trapecists, contortionists, gymnasts, and other athletes to escape getting injured. These athletes that perform repetitive movements for hours a day coupled with a low amount of recovery time in between shows increases the performer’s risk for chronic overuse injuries (in addition to the ever-present risk of an acute injury). In most cases, pain is due to muscle soreness that resolves in a day or two. However, sometimes there is something more to blame—that’s when you should see a physician or your physical therapist!
Cirque du Soleil, Barnum and Bailey Circus, Ballet Dancers, Gymnasts, Aerialists, Jugglers, Tumblers, Clowns, make it their life to perform. most of them on a daily basis. Studies by John Hopkins Medicine that looked into dance injuries found that injuries from using your joints and muscles too much (overuse injuries) are the most common. The majority of these overuse injuries involve an ankle, leg, foot or lower back.
Some common injuries are:
- Hip injuries: snapping hip syndrome, hip impingement, labral tears, hip flexor tendonitis, hip bursitis, and sacroiliac joint dysfunction
- Foot and ankle injuries: Achilles tendonitis, trigger toe, and ankle impingement
- Knee injuries: patellofemoral pain syndrome
- Stress fractures: metatarsals, tibia, sesamoids and lumbar spine
- Dancers are also likely to develop arthritis in the knee, hip, ankle, and foot.
Generally, dancers have a much lower rate of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries than other athletes. One explanation could be that dance training involves much more intense jumping from an earlier age than other sports, which helps improve muscle control.
Because the upper body is used as a weight-bearing joint in gymnastics, injuries to the shoulder, elbow, and wrist are common and may include:
- Superior Labrum, Anterior-Posterior (SLAP) Lesions in the Shoulder
- Elbow Dislocation
- Wrist Sprains
- The most common gymnastics injuries to the lower body involve the knee and ankle. Lower extremity injuries usually result from the landing and dismount activities and may include:
- Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Injury
- Achilles Tendon Injury
- Lower Back Injuries
Moira Campbell, a trapeze artist who teaches at the Hangar in Stratford, east London, says “People don’t realize when they start that the trapeze is akin to weight training. They are weak when they start, but you have to lift your entire body weight with every move and that is incredibly tough”. Contrary to popular belief, it is not the arms that are worked the hardest, but the core muscles in the abdominal area. “To get in and out of moves, even just to swing on the flying trapeze, you need to engage your core muscles and really work them”. Remarkably, injuries at trapeze school are rare. Thorough warm-up and cool-down sessions limit the possibility of muscle strains and pull. “It is more like a sport in the respect that you need muscles to be fully prepared for action. Perhaps the most common injuries are those that occur as a result of twisting something in particular, such as the rotator cuff muscles [which support the shoulder joint]”.
Many injuries can be prevented by following proper training guidelines, using safety equipment, and incorporating the following tips:
- Wear all required safety gear whenever competing or training — special equipment may include wrist guards, hand grips, footwear, ankle or elbow braces, and pads
- Do not “play through the pain” — if you are hurt, see your doctor and follow instructions for treatment and recovery fully
- Make sure first aid is available at all competitions and practices
- Inspect equipment to ensure that it is in good condition, including padded floors, secured mats under every apparatus, and safety harnesses for learning difficult moves
- Insist on spotters when learning new skills
- Warm-up muscles with light aerobic exercise, such as jumping jacks or running in place, before beginning training or new activities
Always seek medical advice, either from your physician or your physical therapist. Many injuries can be corrected when treated right from the very beginning, so don’t hesitate to reach out. CardioFlex Therapy is located in Davie, Florida. We offer Physical and Occupational Therapy at our facility or in the comfort of your home. Call us at 954-693-9090 to learn more about how we can help you manage your pain. We accept most insurance plans and with our flexible schedule, we will be able to bring you in when you need it the most.
CardioFlex Therapy is changing Physical Therapy in Davie with Physical and Occupational Therapy at our facility or in the comfort of your home.
CardioFlex is open Monday to Friday, from 8 am to 7 pm, and specializes in Orthopedics, Sports Injury, Neurological Conditions, and other Specialized Programs like TMJ treatment, knee rehabilitation, and herniated disk treatments.
For more info visit: www.cardioflextherapy.com
About the Author Terry Abrams is the President & Director of Physical Therapy for CardioFlex Therapy, a start-up company founded in 2005 in Fort Lauderdale, FL. Delivering both Physical Therapy & Occupational Therapy, CardioFlex Therapy’s Outpatient Clinic is centrally located in Davie, FL serving the towns of Cooper City, Weston, Pembroke Pines, Plantation, Southwest Ranches, Hollywood, Miramar, Sunrise, & Fort Lauderdale. For Home Physical Therapy, CardioFlex sends its therapists to homes located in Broward, Dade, & Palm Beach counties.