Three dancers and a physical therapist share their experiences navigating the energy output necessary for a high level of performance, the preservation of artistic integrity and the maintenance of a healthy, balanced instrument.

While flexibility is beautiful onstage and is often a source of pride for dancers, it’s important to safeguard your lower back—and pay attention to aches and pains early—to ensure a long, healthy career.

Internal snapping hip often stems from a muscle imbalance linked with repetitive hip flexion from lifting the leg to the front, says Sarah Plumer-Holzman, a physical therapist at NYU Langone’s Harkness Center for Dance Injuries.

I would very much like to go back eight months in time and beg that naive version of myself to meet with a physical therapist before diving back into rigorous training. How I’m moving forward while managing an injury is this month’s topic.

High-impact activity, like dancing, is associated with pelvic floor dysfunction, says Brooke Winder, a physical therapist in Southern California dually trained in orthopedic and pelvic floor physical therapy.

I want to help dancers when I retire from performing. Can you tell me what jobs might work? —Julian, Washington, DC Dancers often excel at a variety of careers because of their amazing work ethic. Many go on to become physical therapists, doctors, social workers, Pilates instructors, acupuncturists or massage therapists. Obviously, each vocation has […]

My artistic director suggested that I get surgery to fix my average flexibility if I want a company contract. Yet he casts me in nice roles even as an apprentice. I don’t know what to do. —Anonymous Getting surgery to improve your flexibility does not work and would be a waste of your time and […]

I’ve been struggling with a staph infection after an FHL repair for tendonitis. It took several months to treat the infection, and it’s left me with pain and stiffness. Will this ever go away? —JR, Hoboken, NJ I’m so sorry that you’ve had complications after surgery. While all surgical procedures have a chance of developing […]