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.
Kathleen Ryan-Ceisel, PT MHS
Kathleen Ryan-Ceisel, PT MHS is a physical therapist in NW Chicagoland who specializes in sports medicine, performance, and injury prevention. She treats dancers of all ages and genres of dance; from young dancers learning to develop, to high school performers, and those on the professional stage. She has worked extensively with a variety of elite and professional athletes from multiple disciplines and works to develop a comprehensive and individualized treatment program for athletes to return from injury quickly and safely.
Kathy believes in treating the whole athlete and taking a 360 degree approach to injury and movement; dance uses a series of postures that are linked by smooth and graceful transitions. If one segment or link in the kinetic chain is out of balance, this sets up the potential for performance error as well as a predisposition for the dancer to injury if the movement is repeated enough. Successful movement is determined by the ease of movement into the next posture. She understands that dancers are endurance athletes who don't have a season and require unique movement patterns, strength, and stamina all while making it look effortless.
Kathy graduated from University of Illinois at Chicago in 1992 with her BS in Physical Therapy and obtained her Masters in Health Science in 1999 from University of Indianapolis. She has advanced certifications in Astym/manual therapy, movement science, cupping, rock tape, and injury management and prevention. She is Champion Sports Performance Specialist and helps performing artists to improve their movement patterns through performance therapy. Kathy is passionate in helping her dancers to perform their best and stay healthy.
* Doctors For Dancers makes no representation and assumes no responsibility for the accuracy of the information contained on or available through this website, and such information is subject to change without notice. You are encouraged to confirm any information obtained from or through this website with other sources and review all information.
CREDENTIALS RECEIVED BY DFD
PHYSICAL THERAPIST - STATE OF IL - LIC # 070007182
CERTIFIED CHAMPION PERFORMANCE SPECIALIST
FMT FACIAL MOVEMENT TAPING CERTIFICATE
FMT ROCKPODS CERTIFICATE
FMT ROCKFLOSS CERTIFICATE
ASTYM TREATMENT FOR THE LOWER EXTREMITY, PELVIS & LUMBAR SPINE
ASTYM TREATMENT FOR THE UPPER EXTREMITY & SHOULD GIRDLE
LIABILITY INSURANCE
All documents are on file.