Finding Care: Questions from Dancers, Families & the Dance Community

A Dance Specialist is a healthcare or wellness professional who understands what dancers do and what their bodies go through. Our network includes physicians, physical therapists, chiropractors, athletic trainers, podiatrists, psychologists and counselors, dietitians, personal trainers, Pilates and yoga specialists, and coaches.

Many of them danced for years themselves, and others have worked with dance companies, studios, college dance teams and touring productions. They know the difference between a dancer and a general athlete, so you don’t have to spend the appointment explaining what a turnout is or why your dancer can’t just “take a few weeks off” before a big show.

Learn more about DFD Dance Specialists →

It depends on what’s going on, and it’s normal not to know where to start. A few guidelines:

• Pain, a possible injury or something that isn’t getting better: a physician, physical therapist or athletic trainer is usually the first stop. Athletic trainers are often the ones backstage at competitions and on college dance teams, so they’re used to dancers who need to keep moving.
• Strength, flexibility, conditioning or technique: a physical therapist, athletic trainer, personal trainer or Pilates specialist can help build what your dancer needs. Many of our physical therapists offer strength and flexibility programs designed for dancers, not just injury recovery.
• Fueling, energy or long rehearsal days: a dietitian who understands a dancer’s schedule.
• Nerves, pressure, perfectionism or burnout: a counselor, psychologist or mental performance coach.

Many dancers end up seeing more than one type of specialist. If you’re still not sure, contact us and we’ll help you figure out where to start.

Yes. Searching the DFD directory is always free for dancers, parents and teachers, with no account or sign-up needed. You can search by type of care, by city or zip code, or by name.

When you find someone who looks like a good fit, contact them directly, and mention you found them on DFD, since some Dance Specialists offer specials or preferred scheduling for DFD families. Each Dance Specialist sets their own fees, so ask them about cost when you reach out.

Search the directory →

Yes. Our Dance Specialists work with dancers of every age and level, from students in their first recital season to pre-professionals, college dancers and professionals. Each specialist decides who they see, so check their profile or ask when you reach out.

Our Dance Specialists bring experience from every corner of the dance world: major concert tours, Broadway and theatrical productions, professional dance companies, television, college dance teams, competitions and conventions. That means the person caring for your dancer has likely seen what their training, schedule and stage demand.

See where our Dance Specialists have been →

Dance Specialists join DFD by choice: each one applies and completes a personal interview with our team before their profile goes live. So if your provider isn’t listed, it usually just means they haven’t joined yet, not that they aren’t a great fit for your dancer. Many wonderful professionals simply haven’t heard of us.

If you love the care your dancer is getting, we’d love to meet them! Share our Join the DFD Network page with them, or let us know who they are and we’ll reach out.

Every Dance Specialist joins through a personal interview with our team, where we get to know their background, their experience with dancers and their passion for the dance community. Each Dance Specialist is responsible for their own licenses, credentials and insurance, so you’re always welcome to ask about their training when you contact them.

Dancers spend hours jumping, landing, relevéing and pointing, so feet, ankles and shins take a lot. Common complaints include rolled ankles, shin splints, Achilles pain, pain at the front or back of the ankle, and sore arches or toes, especially during competition season or after a jump in training hours. Pain that keeps coming back, swelling, or pain that changes how your dancer jumps, lands or goes on relevé is worth having checked.

A podiatrist specializes in the feet and ankles and can evaluate and treat what’s going on, from foot pain to pointe shoe problems. An athletic trainer can assess injuries, help with recovery and get your dancer back to full dancing safely. Many athletic trainers work backstage at competitions and with college dance teams. A physical therapist, physician or sports medicine physician can also help, depending on what your dancer needs.

Podiatrists · Athletic Trainers · Physical Therapists · Sports Medicine Physicians

Turnout, extensions, arabesques, leaps and floor work ask a lot of the hips, knees and lower back. Dancers often describe hips that snap or click, tight hip flexors, knee pain from turnout or landings, and a sore lower back after long rehearsals. A Dance Specialist understands the positions your dancer works in every day and can look at how they move, not just where it hurts.

A physician or sports medicine physician can evaluate and diagnose. A physical therapist, athletic trainer or chiropractor can help with treatment, mobility and strengthening, and a Pilates specialist can help build the core and hip control dancers rely on.

Physical Therapists · Athletic Trainers · Chiropractors · Physicians · Pilates

It’s one of the biggest milestones in a dancer’s training, and one of the most common questions we hear. Pointe readiness isn’t just about age or how many years they’ve been in class. It depends on ankle and foot strength, core control, alignment, technique and how your dancer’s body is growing. Going up too soon can put extra stress on the feet, ankles and legs, while waiting until they’re truly ready helps them start pointe with more confidence.

A pointe assessment with a Dance Specialist, such as a physical therapist, athletic trainer or podiatrist, looks at your dancer’s strength, flexibility, foot structure and control, then gives you and your dancer’s teacher clear feedback. Many assessments also come with exercises to help your dancer build what they need. Bring their current shoes, and their pointe shoes if they have them.

Find Dance Specialists who offer pointe assessments →

Growth spurts are a big deal for dancers. When bones grow quickly, muscles and tendons need time to catch up, so many dancers suddenly feel tighter, lose flexibility, struggle with balance or turns, or feel like their body isn’t doing what it used to. It can be frustrating, especially when they’re working hard. This is a common phase, and the right support can make it much easier.

A physician can check that what your dancer is feeling is part of normal growth and rule out anything else, especially if there’s pain. A physical therapist, athletic trainer or Pilates specialist who understands dancers can help with flexibility, strength and body awareness during this stage, and help your dancer adjust their training while their body changes.

Physicians · Physical Therapists · Athletic Trainers · Pilates

Dancers carry a lot: auditions, competitions, corrections, casting, comparing themselves to others, and the pressure to be perfect. Nerves before a big performance are normal. But if your dancer is losing their love of dance, dreading class, struggling to recover from mistakes, or feeling overwhelmed, it may be time to talk to someone.

A counselor or psychologist can support your dancer’s mental health and wellbeing. A mental performance coach helps dancers build skills like focus, confidence, handling pressure and bouncing back from setbacks. Many offer virtual sessions, so your dancer can work with someone who understands dance wherever you live.

Counseling · Mental Performance Coaches · Online care

Dance class builds amazing artistry and skill, but it doesn’t always build all the strength and stamina dancers need, especially for jumps, lifts, long competition days and growing workloads. Cross-training can build strength, endurance, balance and control in a way that supports your dancer’s technique and helps their body handle the demands of training.

Many of our physical therapists offer strength and flexibility programs designed for dancers, not just injury recovery. Personal trainers, strength and conditioning professionals, and Pilates and yoga specialists also work with dancers to build programs that fit around their class schedule.

Strength & Conditioning · Personal Trainers · Pilates · Yoga · Physical Therapists

Each Dance Specialist sets their own payment and insurance options. Some accept insurance, some are private pay, and some offer packages or free consultations. Ask them directly when you reach out.

Be sure to mention you found them on Doctors For Dancers! Some Dance Specialists offer special offers or preferred scheduling for DFD families, so check their profile and ask when you book.

Search “Online” in the location box. Many Dance Specialists offer virtual appointments, so your dancer can get care from someone who understands dance wherever you live. Virtual visits work especially well for mental performance coaching, nutrition, and some conditioning and recovery programs.

If your dancer needs to be seen in person and no one is listed nearby, contact us and we’ll help you look.

See Dance Specialists who offer online care →

This is one of the biggest worries we hear from dance families. Dance Specialists understand that dancers have classes, rehearsals, competitions and shows on the calendar, and that “just rest” isn’t always a realistic answer.

They’ll talk with you and your dancer about what’s going on and work with you on a plan that considers your dancer’s schedule and goals. Every situation is different, and your specialist will tell you what they recommend for your dancer.

It depends on the type of specialist and where you live. Some professionals can see your dancer directly, while others, or some insurance plans, require a referral from a doctor. The easiest way to find out is to ask the specialist when you contact them.

A little prep goes a long way:

• What’s going on, when it started and what makes it better or worse
• Your dancer’s weekly schedule: classes, rehearsals, competitions and upcoming shows
• Any past injuries, treatments or imaging
• Dance shoes, if they’re part of the problem (pointe shoes especially)
• Your questions, written down. It’s easy to forget them in the moment.

Dance weekends rarely go as planned: a tweaked ankle on day one, a back that tightens up after a long drive, or nerves before a big solo. Before you travel, search the city you’re headed to so you know who’s nearby.

If something comes up on the road and you need help finding care, contact us and we’ll help you look.

Yes! DFD Dance Specialists lead educational workshops for dancers, parents and teachers on topics like dancer health, injury management, recovery and the importance of specialized care. Workshops can be in person or online, and we’ll work with you to tailor the topic to your dancers’ ages and levels, whether it’s for your studio, a convention or an event.

Contact us to start planning →

DFD Dance Specialists have provided on-site healthcare, recovery stations and injury management support at competitions, conventions and events. If you’re planning an event and want care on site for your dancers, contact us with your dates, location and expected number of dancers, and we’ll work with you to see what’s possible.

No. If your dancer has a serious injury, can’t put weight on a limb, hits their head, or you’re worried about their safety, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. DFD is here to help you find the right specialist for ongoing care, recovery and support, not for emergencies.

No. DFD helps you find professionals who understand dancers. Any advice, diagnosis or treatment comes from the Dance Specialist you choose, not from DFD. You can read more in our Medical Disclaimer.