Dance Physiotherapist – Kim Snellgrove

Kim has a passion for dance with extensive experience in all dance styles. Kim understands the demands, techniques and injuries unique to dance.

We will provide you with a through assessment and individualised treatment program… and most importantly an injury prevention program.

We also offer –

• Dance Screening

Dance specific musculoskeletal screenings are an assessment of a dancer’s joint range and muscular strength, control and flexibility. Specific exercises are given to assist with enhancing dance technique in order to prevent injury. Dance screening is recommended for students when first starting to dance, after a period of rapid growth, when there is an increase in hours dancing, and following a change of teachers or dance styles.

Screenings are compulsory for entrance to many tertiary dance courses.

• Pre Pointe Assessment

An assessment of all major joints involved in dance to detect any muscle weakness/tightness, joint stiffness or mal-alignment, which may predispose the dancer to injury when commencing pointe work. Specific exercises are given to correct any problems identified. Based on current dance medicine research, the best results are achieved if the assessment takes place 3-6 months before the dancer begins pointe work, to allow any imbalances to be corrected.

• Pointe Shoe Review

 It is important to be ready for Pointe Shoes and to have them  fitted correctly Incorrect fitting or not being ready for this equipment can have detrimental affects on a dancers progress as well as his or her physical development. Placement on pointe is based on technical ability, anatomical development, strength and maturity.

• Injury prevention programs – designed to correct muscle imbalances and improve dance technique to help prevent injury.
• Stretching and Strengthening exercises to optimise your dance career.
• Flexibility Training – Dancers often require excellent flexibility and prolonged stretching positions can often negatively influence flexibility.