Since George Balanchine first asked her to care for his dancers in the 1980s, Marika Molnar has helped heal icons as varied as Merce Cunningham, Trisha Brown, Natalia Makarova, Judith Jamison, Twyla Tharp, Chita Rivera and Mikhail Baryshnikov. Some patients call her their guardian angel. “Marika has always answered all my (sometimes ridiculous) questions with […]

I thought I’d be fine after undergoing successful surgery to repair a torn ankle ligament. Instead, I’m depressed and hopeless that I’m still not able to perform. My therapist tells me I’m making good progress, but I don’t see it. Why not? —Ashley, San Francisco, CA You’ve fallen into a common trap—comparing your dancing to […]

Three small dance companies offered me a job. The first wanted to give me good roles without pay until someone left. The second (which I took) pays, although the rep isn’t as good and the studios are in a mall! The last was just a Nutcracker season in a nice company. Sadly, it feels like […]

The International Association for Dance Medicine & Science offers cutting-edge research, education and training to enhance dancers’ health on a global stage. An annual conference by medical and dance professionals from 35 countries covers the latest advances in this specialty. Attendance is diverse, as more dancers enter the field. Anyone can download resource papers on […]

My doctor wants me to get a sonogram-guided injection of cortisone to reduce the inflammation surrounding my os trigonum, a pea-sized extra bone in the back of my ankle. I’m relieved that surgery may not be necessary, but I’m afraid of the steroid. My friend ruptured his tendon after getting an injection. Am I doing […]