The Dance Physio Podcast
A podcast designed to explore ideas and foster discussion around dancer health and wellness. The Dance Physio Podcast aims to challenge the status quo, bridge the gap between dance science and the studio, and help change the landscape of the dance industry for the better.
Episodes
131 episodes
Episode 131: Calf Injuries in Dance
Calf injuries, and especially calf muscle strains, are a common injury in dance but one that has relatively little published research compared with other common dance injuries. In this episode, we discuss:the different types of calf...
Episode 130: Emergency Medical Care in Dance
Sideline emergnecy medical coverage in standard in most sports, but not yet commonplace in the dance world. In this episode, I break down what sideline medical coverage looks like, what an emergency action plan is and how studios, competitions,...
Episode 129: Osgood-Schlatter Disease in Dancers
Osgood-Schlatter disease is a common type of anterior knee pain see in growing kids and adolescents. In this episode, you'll learn what causes Osgood-Schlatter disease, common symptoms associated with it as well as treatment approaches for danc...
Episode 128: Shoulder Labral Tears in Dancers
Although not one of the most common injuries we see in dancers, the impact they can have on a dancer's ability to train and perform can be significant. In this episode, we discuss:What the glenoid labrum is and why it's important fo...
Episode 127: Relative Energy Deficiency in Dance with Project RED-D
On this week's podcast, I'm joined by Karen Sheriff and Suki McConnon of Project RED-D to discuss relative energy deficiency in sport (RED-S) and Project RED-D - a global initiative raising the visibility of RED...
Episode 126: Extension-Based Back Pain in Dancers: Facet Joint Injuries
Following Episode 123 on spondylolysis in dancers, we continue to explore causes of extension-based low back pain. In this episode, I break down facet joint injuries including:What is a facet joint injuryCommon presentation...
Episode 125: Fuelling for Recovery with Maria Tanielian
On this week's episode, I'm joined by registered sports dietician Maria Tanielian for a conversation about what it takes for dancers to fuel their bodies for the demands of dance. We discuss how nutrition can be utilized as a tool to aid recove...
Episode 124: 5 Pillars of Longevity for Adult Dancers
Inspired after spending the day at an incredible dance convention for dancers ages 18+, in this episode I'm sharing the 5 pillars of longevity for adult dancers to have a healthy and successful experience in dance. The adult dance community is ...
Episode 123: Extension-Based Back Pain in Dancers: Spondylolysis
Low back pain is common among youth athletes and young dancers, and spondylolysis is the most common identifiable cause of it. In this episode, I break down why dancers are so susceptible to spondylolysis, common causes of it, how it is diagnos...
Episode 122: Five Takeaways from the 2026 Winter Olympics
The 2026 Winter Olympics just concluded in Milano-Cortina, and like many people I was absolutely glued to my TV for the duration of the games. For anyone who has followed me for any length of time, this won't come as a surprise - I am a huge sp...
Episode 121: Exploring Careers in the Dance Industry
Not every dancer dreams of performing, and even the most successful performers have to transition out of performance careers at some point. In the past, many dancers assumed the only way to stay in the dance industry was to go into teaching or ...
Episode 120: Considerations for Performing When Injured
If you've been around for any length of time, you know how much I LOVE the Olympics. The recent Milano Cortina Winter Games just concluded, and these games showcased some high profile athletes who were competing while injured (or had to make th...
Episode 119: Common Challenges in Pointe Shoe Fitting
Inspired by my recent talk at The Dancewear Association of Canada conference, in this episode I summarize some of the common challenges we see in pointe shoe fitting. I have broken down these chal...
Episode 118: Thriving in Audition Season with Caitlin Sloan
This week I'm joined by Caitlin Sloan of The Brainy Ballerina to talk about all things related to auditions. Caitlin shares her approach to helping dancers not just survive, but thrive during audition season. She answers questions such...
Episode 117: Chondromalacia in Dancers
In this episode we dive into chondromalacia and how it affects dancers. You'll learn what exactly chrondromalacia is, how it is graded and what causes it. You'll also learn the most common ways it presents in dancers, and best practice for trea...
Episode 116: Dancing with Scoliosis
With rates of scoliosis in dancers reported to be as high as 20-30% of dancers, it's no wonder this is a topic that gets a lot of attention within the dance world. As a follow-up to last week's episode (Episode 115: Scoliosis 101 with Andrea Me...
Episode 115: Scoliosis 101 with Andrea Mendoza of The ScoliClinic
This week I'm joined by scoliosis expert and owner of The ScoliClinic Andrea Mendoza. Andrea shares her story and the inspiration behind opening a clinic specific for scoliosis clients and their families. We also touch on:what exact...
Episode 114: My Treatment Philosophy as a Dance Physiotherapist
Have you ever wondered what it's like to work with a dance physiotherapist? Or specifically with me or one of the physiotherapists at Allegro Performance + Wellness? In this podcast episode, I discuss the 5 key pillars of the philosophy that gu...
Episode 113: 2026 Word of the Year
Welcome to 2026! On this podcast episode, I share my word of the year for 2026, as well as the process behind how and why I pick a word of the year. If you're looking for something a little different than traditional New Year's Resolutions (or ...
Episode 112: How to Maximize Your Winter Break Training
The winter break is fast approaching, and dancers are starting to think about how to get the most out of their time off. In this podcast episode, I dive into what your priorities for winter break training should be, especially if your break is ...
Episode 111: Snap, crackle, pop - why do dancer's joints make so much noise?
Have you ever wondered why dancer's joints make so much noise? In this podcast episode, you'll learn what's actually happening when joints snap, crackle and pop, why it's so common in dancers, and when to be concerned about it.
Episode 110: 2025 Holiday Gift Guide
The wait is over! The 2025 Holiday Gift Guide is here!On this week's podcast episode, I bring you some of my favourite products for the dancers (or dance teachers ;) on your holiday list! Before you head out for your holiday shopping, h...
Episode 109: Motor Imagery for Injured Dancers
Mental rehearsal (also known as Motor Imagery) is the practice of mentally simulating a movement without physical exertion. It has a multitude of benefits, many of which can be utilized by dancers when they are not able to physically participat...
Episode 108: Healthy Dancer Canada Conference Recap
I just returned from the Healthy Dancer Canada annual conference which was held in Montreal, QC this month. Attending conferences (and any professional development opportunities really) is high on my list of things that fill my bucket, and this...
Episode 107: Pelvic Floor Health for Dancers with Dr Brooke Winder
Pelvic health for dancers is an area of clinical practice that is currently growing in research and awareness. This week on the podcast, I'm joined by Dr. Brooke Winder to discuss pelvic health issues that are common in dancers. In this episode...