Dance Conditioning & Rehabilitation

Hypermobility is a condition characterised by excessive joint flexibility and can significantly impact dancers, leading to increased risk of injury and reduced stability, affecting performance quality. Dancers with hypermobility can face challenges such as joint instability, recurrent sprains, muscle imbalances, and chronic pain. Understanding these unique needs is crucial in developing effective rehabilitation and conditioning strategies to support dancers in their pursuit of excellence.

To address the specific challenges hypermobile dancers face, an individually-tailored physiotherapy approach is essential. This involves not only focusing on injury rehabilitation but also on preventative care that enhances joint stability, muscular strength, and overall body control. Through targeted exercises, manual therapy, and individualised conditioning programs, physiotherapy can help hypermobile dancers build strength in key areas, reduce pain, and optimise movement efficiency. By working closely with therapists who understand the demands of dance and hypermobility, dancers can achieve better balance, coordination, and endurance, allowing them to perform at their best while minimising the risk of future injuries.

Benefits Of Our Programs:

• Reduced risk of dance-related injuries

• Improved joint stability and control

• Enhanced muscular strength and endurance

• Optimised dance technique and performance quality

• Faster recovery from injury

• Increased confidence and enjoyment in dance

Benefits Of An Appropriate & Safe Exercise Program for Dancers with Hypermobility:

For dancers with hypermobility, maintaining movement, strength, and fitness is essential not only for performance but also for preventing deconditioning and the worsening of hypermobility-related symptoms. A tailored and safe exercise program designed specifically for hypermobile dancers can offer the following key benefits:

• Improved proprioception, enhancing body awareness and control during complex dance movements

• Increased muscle bulk, providing greater support and stability to hypermobile joints

• Enhanced joint protection, reducing the risk of injury from overextension or instability

• Release of endorphins, which can help modulate pain and improve overall well-being

• Stress relief, promoting mental clarity and focus, both of which are crucial for dancers

At Not Just Bendy, we understand how important it is to keep you dancing while addressing the unique needs of hypermobility. Our exercise programs emphasise joint stability and protection, ensuring that you develop strength in key areas to support long-term dance health. We take a holistic approach, incorporating flexibility, strength, and balance exercises that work with your dance routine. While we may suggest modifications to prevent injury, we only recommend avoiding dance sessions in cases of acute injury or significant medical concerns, always prioritising your safety and performance goals.

Our Approach:

At Not Just Bendy, we take a holistic approach to dance conditioning and rehabilitation for hypermobile individuals. Our programs are tailored to address the specific biomechanical demands of dance while focusing on enhancing joint stability, strength, flexibility, and overall performance. Here’s how we can help:

1. Comprehensive Assessment: We begin with a thorough assessment of your musculoskeletal health, dance technique, and performance goals to identify areas of concern and develop a personalised treatment plan.
   
2. Individualised Rehabilitation: Our physiotherapists utilise evidence-based techniques and modalities to address muscle imbalances, joint instability, and other issues commonly associated with hypermobility. Treatment may include manual therapy, therapeutic exercises, joint mobilisation, and proprioceptive training.
   
3. Strength and Conditioning: We offer individually-tailored strength and conditioning programs designed to improve muscular strength, endurance, and control, enhancing performance while reducing the risk of injury. These programs are tailored to meet the unique needs of dancers with hypermobility and focus on optimising movement patterns and technique.
   
4. Flexibility Training: While most dancers naturally possess a high degree of flexibility, it’s essential to balance this with strength and stability. Our exercise programs aim to improve range of motion safely, address muscle tightness, and promote proper alignment to support injury prevention and performance enhancement.
   
5. Education and Injury Prevention: We provide valuable education on injury prevention strategies, dance biomechanics, and self-care practices to empower dancers with the knowledge they need to stay healthy and perform at their best.