HEAD2TOE PHYSICAL THERAPY
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Dance Medicine & Performance Resources

Helpful Tips for Dancers & FAQs

Is foam rolling helpful?
Foam rollers have been all the rage for quite some time in the dance community. Dancers often tell me they are “rolling out” regularly but not sure why or if they’re doing it correctly. They may have seen it on social media or heard about other dancers doing it, so they figure they should too. They may have been taught to use rollers by a teacher, coach, or rehab professional for a particular issue and now they roll every body part because if it was helpful for one problem then it must be helpful for all problems.

While the foam roller is a versatile tool, we need to be strategic about why, when, and how we use it. Below are a few examples (but the creative options are endless):
  • GOAL: to improve circulation for better muscle performance; WHEN: before class/performance
  • GOAL: to improve mobility/flexibility; WHEN: before class/performance
  • GOAL: to decrease muscle soreness; WHEN: after class/performance
  • GOAL: to “release” a tight IT Band; WHEN: never – a foam roller is not effective for this
  • GOAL: to “get rid of” muscle knots; WHEN: before specific exercises addressing why the knots are there in the first place (**the real goal is improving the function of the muscle, not "getting rid of" anything)
  • GOAL: to improve core stability; WHEN: after mobility exercises & before strength exercises

​
​If you’re curious about HOW you/your dancer can use foam rollers safely or which type of foam roller is best (yes – there are different ones!), click the link below and we can chat about goals and come up with a plan for how to achieve them.
Learn More
Head2Toe Physical Therapy
Dance Medicine & Performance


Dr. Meghan Gearhart, PT, DPT, MS, CMTPT
Email: pthead2toe@gmail.com

Phone: (704) 464-2079
Instagram: @head2toe_physicaltherapy
​By appointment only

​**We are a mobile practice and work with dancers in their homes as well as dance studios, Pilates studios, and other convenient locations throughout Charlotte, NC and surrounding regions. 
​One-on-One Services
  • dance physical therapy
  • dance performance training
  • comprehensive annual wellness exams
  • dancer screenings
  • pointe readiness assessments
​
Group Workshops/Classes
  • ​injury prevention
  • improving flexibility, turnout, leg extensions, endurance, etc.
  • pointe preparation
  • topics for teachers - anatomy, growth & development, etc.
  • dance conditioning
  • ​Pilates Mat classes
  • Home
  • About
  • Services
    • One-on-One Services for Dancers >
      • Dance Physical Therapy
      • Dance Performance
      • Dance Wellness
      • Dance Screenings
    • Group Services for Dancers >
      • Dance Workshops
      • Pilates & Dance Conditioning Classes
      • Dancer Wellness Workshop Series >
        • Dance Injury Prevention Workshop
        • Improving Flexibility Workshop
        • Improving Turnout Workshop
        • Improving Leg Extensions Workshop
  • Resources
    • Talk to a Dance PT
    • Success Stories
    • Local Resources
    • Independent Learning >
      • Hip popping in dancers
      • Foam rolling for dancers
      • Hydration for dancers
      • Warm-ups for dancers
      • Rest & recovery for dancers
      • Off-season for dancers
    • Organizations/Publications
    • Blog
  • Contact