Welcome to Doctors For Dancers!
At Doctors For Dancers, we connect dance medicine with the dance industry, understanding that dancers are Artistic Athletes with unique needs.
Our mission is to support dancers, teachers, and parents by promoting health, safety, and longevity in dance. Explore our resources and connect with Dance Specialists worldwide.
Whether you need local or virtual support, our directory is here to help. Start your dance wellness journey with us. For personalized assistance, call or text 818.918.1832.
Kristen Shelley, PT, DPT, OCS
Kristen has worked as a physical therapist in dance medicine since 2014. During her graduate studies, Kristen had the opportunity as a student physical therapist to provide dance medicine rehabilitation for the Charlotte Ballet. As a former dancer and instructor, she has a passion for the performing arts and uses this experience to educate on injury prevention in dancers. She has had the opportunity to work with dancers from the Pennsylvania Ballet, BalletX, Philadanco, Rock School of Dance, University of the Arts and Swarthmore College to keep them dancing and be their best physical selves.
In 2020, she started her own mobile concierge PT practice, Delaware Dance Physical Therapy. It allows her to throw up a table and treat at studios, client’s homes or events. Growing up dancing, she learned that it was a normal experience to have pain. Rolling your ankles was just a part of being a dancer. These were common and seemingly normal battle wounds. For Kristen, this leads to chronic sprains, instability and pain, all of which could have been prevented.
From Kristen: "What I discovered after going to PT school and then starting a job treating dancers, is that the major issue was a lack of understanding of dancers and their bodies within the medical community. Most medical professionals are unaware of the demands and needs of a dancer. Because of this, they tend to prescribe rest and/or immobilization without a real game plan. It also leads to underreporting in the dance community.
I knew I needed to be a part of the movement which addressed these inconsistencies. I have spent the last 7 years treating dancers at all levels, professional, pre-professional and recreational, to heal their bodies and give them the tools I always wish I had!"
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CREDENTIALS RECEIVED BY DFD PHYSICAL THERAPIST - STATE OF DE - LIC # J1-0003180 PHYSICAL THERAPIST - STATE OF PA - LIC # PT024003 DIRECT ACCESS AUTHORIZATION-PHYSICAL THERAPY - STATE OF PA - LIC # DAPT003520 BOARD CERTIFIED CLINICAL SPECIALIST IN ORTHOPAEDIC PHYSICAL THERAPY - STATE OF DE - CERT # 51390 FUNCTIONAL DRY NEEDLING LEVEL 1 LIABILITY INSURANCE All documents are on file.