BALANCED DANCE MEDICINE

Medicine is the science and art of preventing and alleviating or curing disease. Dance medicine and science is the application of that realm to the specific life and body of the dancer. As a discipline it investigates the causes of dance injuries, promotes their care, prevention and safe post-rehabilitation return to dance, and explores the how of dance movement. Some specific concerns include the biomechanical, physiological, and neuromotor aspects of dance, nutrition, psychological issues, and the body therapies and somatics area.

- Harkness Center (NY,NY)

As a former professional dancer, Heather Brummett and her team can relate to the high physical demands of dance and appreciate the particular needs of the dancer.

Dancers, gymnasts, and ice skaters tend to have a high risk for injury due to the various postures and pressure on the body that is required during rehearsal and performance. Common injuries are due to overuse, muscle imbalances, lack of appropriate flexibility and strength, and/or joint instabilities. We test muscle strength and flexibility, evaluate joint and body alignment, and overall assess dance technique and range of motion for the dancers specific requirements. It’s also our commitment to educate the dancer patient on how to better position their body to aid in prevention and management of injuries.

Balanced Physical Therapy, Pilates & Performance Center in Glendale, AZ is dedicated to helping dancers, gymnasts, and ice skaters understand their bodies and movement patterns so they can make optimal use of their skill as a performer. Whether you are recovering from an injury and need rehab or are trying to enhance your current performance, we are here to help you kick, leap, jump, turn, and overall dance stronger and with more intention!

We’re here to help.

Resources for teachers

Dancer: Annabelle Gourley
@jolee.photography

Resources for dancers

DANCE MEDICINE PROGRAM

Dr. Heather Brummett is a Board Certified Physical Therapist who specializes in working with dancers of all levels. She has a unique style in her training sessions with the ability to educate the dancer in ways that they appreciate their bodies more. She teaches simple ways to help the dancer keep his/her body strong! She educates dancers in "dancer" anatomy, injury prevention and enhances technique and skills. She helps dancers have some "ah-ha" moments and "get-it" to reduce or eliminate the click, pain or difficulty sustaining their level of performance, due to a recurrent injury or dysfunction.

With a background in training as a highly competitive dancer in her youth and adolescent years, followed by a professional dance career in Los Angeles, Heather understands the demands of the dancer. While dancing in LA, at the end of a full day training/taking classes, she injured her ankle which sparked her interest in dance medicine.

Since 2001, she has been sharing the knowledge she has learned along the way to help other dancers, dance instructors, dance parents and dance studio owners learn about the "dancer" anatomy, injury prevention and simple ways to enhance technique and improve performance.

Balanced Dance Medicine is located in Balanced Physical Therapy, Pilates & Performance Center in Glendale, AZ.