Dance Physiotherapy
at Grounded Movement

Dance injury prevention, management and rehabilitation is an area of speciality for Grounded Movement.

Our director, Charissa Fermelis, has particular expertise in the unique field of dance medicine. Her own background in elite dance and high-level performance allows her to understand the motivation that drives a young dancer. She knows the stresses dancers place on their bodies and has first-hand experience in the types of injuries they sustain. Drawing from her qualifications and skills as an expert dance physiotherapist and Pilates practitioner, she offers a caring approach to dance injury management, applying modern sports medicine principles in a dance specific environment.

As for all services provided at Grounded Movement, we pride ourselves on being able to integrate scientific-based clinical medicine with a holistic and grounded approach to wellbeing.

Dance Physiotherapy
at Grounded Movement

Dance injury prevention, management and rehabilitation is an area of speciality for Grounded Movement.

Our director, Charissa Fermelis, has particular expertise in the unique field of dance medicine. Her own background in elite dance and high-level performance allows her to understand the motivation that drives a young dancer. She knows the stresses dancers place on their bodies and has first-hand experience in the types of injuries they sustain. Drawing from her qualifications and skills as an expert dance physiotherapist and Pilates practitioner, she offers a caring approach to dance injury management, applying modern sports medicine principles in a dance specific environment.

As for all services provided at Grounded Movement, we pride ourselves on being able to integrate scientific-based clinical medicine with a holistic and grounded approach to wellbeing.

Specialty Dance Assessments

Physio Pointe Assessment | 45 min

  • An assessment to establish whether a young dancer is able to safely dance on pointe.
  • Rather than simply focusing on the foot, we assess the dancer’s physical development,  technique and movement control of the whole leg.
  • Any specific weaknesses or errors in technique are identified and a tailored home exercise program is created to address the issues.
  • A comprehensive report for the dancer’s teacher is provided.

Physio Comprehensive Dance Assessment | 60 min

  • A comprehensive head to toe assessment for dancers keen to improve certain aspects of their technique and to provide a thorough physiotherapy screening before an audition or performance.
  • Some teachers prefer this assessment for young dancers as an alternative and more comprehensive option to the Pre-Pointe Assessment.
  • Any specific weaknesses or errors in technique are identified and a tailored home exercise program is created to address the issues.
  • A comprehensive report for the dancer’s teacher is provided.

 

Physio Tertiary Dance Assessment | 45 min

  • Many fulltime dance programs require comprehensive physiotherapy screenings to be completed as part
    of their audition process.
  • The assessment protocols often differ from program to program, school to school.
  • We have extensive experience completing the specific requirements of these assessments and will ensure that all components are correctly completed.

High Performance Class

Some injuries are inevitable, but many, such as overuse or overload injuries, are often avoidable if the body is well prepared and conditioned for what it needs to do. Dancers test this hypothesis to the extreme! We offer dance strength and conditioning sessions with our director, Charissa Fermelis, to junior and recreational dancers, through to elite professionals. Work with Charissa on specific elements of your technique or on corrections you are receiving in class and build resilience within your body through strength and conditioning to complement your training and take your performance to a higher level. Book in for an Initial Dance Physio Consultation to get the ball rolling.

Dance Injury Management

Are you a dancer who has sustained an injury? Or are you a worried parent of a young dancer not dancing at 100%? It’s an unfortunate position to be in, but we at Grounded Movement know it well. Physiotherapy is a front-line modality in injury management and rehabilitation, as it examines the physical body to address and identify underlying imbalances, insufficiencies and limitations. At Grounded Movement we strongly believe in the interconnectedness of the whole body, providing a scientific and evidence-based approach to healing and rehabilitation to optimising function. This is especially challenging in a dancer, as they push their bodies to unbelievable limits and often have to negotiate a challenging schedule: “the show must go on!”. Our physiotherapist, Charissa Fermelis, will work with you and your support crew (parents, teachers, school) to establish a plan for rehabilitation and set about achieving your goals.

Our dance physiotherapist is experienced in managing the following types of dance- and performance-specific situations:

  • dance injury assessment and rehabilitation
  • elite performance management
  • pre-pointe assessment and preparation
  • full body dance screening
  • technique analysis
  • load management assessment
  • dance strength and conditioning, including Pilates-inspired repertoire
  • technique integration
  • turnout flexibility and strength
  • achieving higher legs en l’air
  • improving height and power in jumps/allegro
  • building core strength
  • safe stretching and flexibility
  • safe dance practice
  • adolescent wellness check
  • pointe shoe fitting

Our Expert Team

Charissa also provides onsite consultations at dance studios and home visits across metro Melbourne, regional Victoria and interstate. Say hello info@groundedmovement.com.au for more info.

Specialty Dance Assessments

Physio Pointe
Assessment | 45 min

  • An assessment to establish whether a young dancer is able to safely dance on pointe.
  • Rather than simply focusing on the foot, we assess the dancer’s physical development,  technique and movement control of the whole leg.
  • Any specific weaknesses or errors in technique are identified and a tailored home exercise program is created to address the issues.
  • A comprehensive report for the dancer’s teacher is provided.

Physio Comprehensive Dance Assessment | 60 min

  • A comprehensive head to toe assessment for dancers keen to improve certain aspects of their technique and to provide a thorough physiotherapy screening before an audition or performance.
  • Some teachers prefer this assessment for young dancers as an alternative and more comprehensive option to the Pre-Pointe Assessment.
  • Any specific weaknesses or errors in technique are identified and a tailored home exercise program is created to address the issues.
  • A comprehensive report for the dancer’s teacher is provided.

Physio Tertiary Dance Assessment | 45 min

  • Many fulltime dance programs require comprehensive physiotherapy screenings to be completed as part
    of their audition process.
  • The assessment protocols often differ from program to program, school to school.
  • We have extensive experience completing the specific requirements of these assessments and will ensure that all components are correctly completed.

High Performance Class

Some injuries are inevitable, but many, such as overuse or overload injuries, are often avoidable if the body is well prepared and conditioned for what it needs to do. Dancers test this hypothesis to the extreme! We offer dance strength and conditioning sessions with our director, Charissa Fermelis, to junior and recreational dancers, through to elite professionals. Work with Charissa on specific elements of your technique or on corrections you are receiving in class and build resilience within your body through strength and conditioning to complement your training and take your performance to a higher level. Book in for an Initial Dance Physio Consultation to get the ball rolling.

Dance Injury Management

Are you a dancer who has sustained an injury? Or are you a worried parent of a young dancer not dancing at 100%? It’s an unfortunate position to be in, but we at Grounded Movement know it well. Physiotherapy is a front-line modality in injury management and rehabilitation, as it examines the physical body to address and identify underlying imbalances, insufficiencies and limitations. At Grounded Movement we strongly believe in the interconnectedness of the whole body, providing a scientific and evidence-based approach to healing and rehabilitation to optimising function. This is especially challenging in a dancer, as they push their bodies to unbelievable limits and often have to negotiate a challenging schedule: “the show must go on!”. Our physiotherapist, Charissa Fermelis, will work with you and your support crew (parents, teachers, school) to establish a plan for rehabilitation and set about achieving your goals.

Our dance physiotherapist is experienced in managing the following types of dance- and performance-specific situations:

  • dance injury assessment and rehabilitation
  • elite performance management
  • pre-pointe assessment and preparation
  • full body dance screening
  • technique analysis
  • load management assessment
  • dance strength and conditioning, including Pilates-inspired repertoire
  • technique integration
  • turnout flexibility and strength
  • achieving higher legs en l’air
  • improving height and power in jumps/allegro
  • building core strength
  • safe stretching and flexibility
  • safe dance practice
  • adolescent wellness check
  • pointe shoe fitting

Dance Studio Consultations

Charissa Fermelis also provides onsite consultations at dance studios and home visits across metro Melbourne, regional Victoria and interstate. Say hello for more info.