The Dance Physio Podcast

Episoder

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  Episode 145: Reflections from the Calgary Dance Teacher Expo 18.08.2026 29min

  A bit of a different podcast episode this week as I've recently returned from the Calgary Dance Teacher Expo and I wanted to share some of the my experience and reflections on the event. Have a listen to hear about the expo, what I thought about both exhibiting and presenting, as well as my key take-aways from the event. Learn more about Erika Mayall: Follow me on Instagram: @dancephysioerikaLearn more about me on my website: https://www.allegroperformance.comSign up for my newsletter: Click ...
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  Episode 144: Thinking Beyond RED-S for Dancer Health with Dr Stephanie Potreck 11.08.2026 57min

  In this week's podcast episode, I am fortunate to sit down with Dr Stephanie Potreck from AusDancersOverseas. Dr. Potreck is a sports nutritionist and expert in the field of low energy availability and especially how it affects dancers health and performance. In this conversation, we discuss her journey in the dance world and transition into medicine, how the field is rapidly changing, and whether RED-S/RED-D exists as a separate entity or whether it is tied to the larger picture of stress ph...
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  Episode 143: Balance Training for Dancers 04.08.2026 34min

  Balance is a complex task that requires skilled practice, especially at the level required by dancers. Simply standing on one leg in a static passé or relevé position is often not enough to see the improvements most dancers are looking for. In this episode, I break down the 3 major components of balance, and why understanding what is affecting our balance is the key to training it effectively. Learn more about Erika Mayall: Follow me on Instagram: @dancephysioerikaLearn more about me on my we...
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  Episode 142: 5 Things That Could Be Limiting Your Dancer's Flexibility 28.07.2026 20min

  It’s no secret that the demands for flexibility have increased in the dance world in recent years. But what about those students who seem to hit a flexibility plateau so matter how much stretching they do? In this episode, I discuss 5 things that could be limiting your dancer's flexibility progress, despite them working hard and stretching regularly. Additional podcast episodes mentioned in this episode: Episode 11: Flexibility for Dancers Part 1 - Flexibility vs Mobility Episode 12: Flexibil...
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  Episode 141: Can You Change Your Pointe Range? 21.07.2026 27min

  A common goal amongst dancers is wanting to improve their pointe range or their arch. But is this actually possible? In this episode, we dive into the factors that are involved in pointe range, figuring out where the limitations might be coming from, and whether we can change them through exercise and training. Additional podcast episodes mentioned in this episode: Episode 57: The Truth About Foot Stretchers Learn more about Erika Mayall: Follow me on Instagram: @dancephysioerikaLearn more ...
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  Episode 140: Gripping in Your Quads - What It Actually Means 14.07.2026 21min

  This past week there was a major dance media outlet that published an article and social media post with some problematic language around 'gripping in the quads'. In this week's podcast episode, I unpack what was so problematic and why it matters to dancers, as well as what gripping in the quads actually means and how we can address it in a productive way. Learn more about Erika Mayall: Follow me on Instagram: @dancephysioerikaLearn more about me on my website: https://www.allegroperformance....
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  Episode 139: The Future of Ballet Education with Austin Crumley 07.07.2026 53min

  On this week's episode, I'm joined by ballet educator, mentor and founder of Ballet Reeducation - Austin Crumley. We discuss his journey from professional dancer to professional educator, his unique approach to teaching ballet for the 21st century, and how we can use what research and dance science tells us to inform and progress ballet education. About Austin: Austin Crumley is a ballet educator, pedagogy researcher, and the founder of Ballet Reeducation (BRe) — a professional development ...
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  Episode 138: Red Light Therapy for Healing and Recovery 30.06.2026 31min

  The concept of light as a healing element has been around for thousands of years, but it's only been recently that Red Light Therapy has become a popular modality for healing and wellness. In this week's podcast, I break down what Red Light Therapy is, how different types of wavelengths within the electromagnetic spectrum affect cellular function, the specific benefits of different types of bioactive light, and how dancers can use Red Light Therapy to promote healing and recovery. Check out m...
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  Episode 137: The #1 Functional Task Most Dancers Struggle With 23.06.2026 41min

  Functional tasks, or fundamental movement patterns, are movements that lay the foundation for more complicated movement patterns. They are often considered essential movements for activities of daily living, and are some of the first movement patterns we develop as babies and toddlers when we're learning gross motor skills. Dancers spend endless hours training complex and highly skilled movement patterns, sometimes at the expense of these foundational movement patterns. In this week's podcast...
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  Episode 136: Sever's Disease in Dancers 16.06.2026 28min

  Sever's Disease is a common cause of heel pain in growing adolescent dancers. Probably more aptly named a condition rather than a disease, Sever's is inflammation of the calcaneal growth plate (officially termed calcaneal apophysitis). In this episode, you'll learn what causes Sever's Disease, common symptoms associated with it, why an accurate diagnosis is important, as well as treatment approaches we use for dancers experiencing it. Additional podcast episodes mentioned in this episode: Epi...
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  Episode 135: When Overtraining Isn't The Issue 09.06.2026 25min

  Training loads and overtraining are often cited as one of the top reasons dancers get injured. And they are certainly a large contributor to dance injuries, especially overuse injuries. But what about the dancers who we know are not overtraining but still getting injured? In this episode, we explore some of the factors that could be contributing when overtraining is not the issue. Additional podcast episodes mentioned in this episode: Episode 10: Training Load Management for Dancers Episode 9...
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  Episode 134: The Best Cross-Training for Dancers 02.06.2026 23min

  It's that time of year when dancers are starting to think about summer training plans, and I'm getting a lot of questions about what the 'best' cross-training for dancers is. In this episode, we break down the difference between cross-training and supplemental training, the key goals of cross-training and how to select the best cross-training activities for dancers. Additional podcast episodes mentioned in this episode: Episode 7: Dance Conditioning - Cross-Training vs Supplementary Training ...
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  Episode 133: Things to Consider When Choosing a Studio - From a Dance Physio’s Perspective 26.05.2026 30min

  It's the time of the year when dancers and families may be looking to switch studios, training programs or even companies. In this episode, I break down the 7 top things I think need to be considered when choosing a studio - from a dance physiotherapist's perspective. Additional podcast episodes mentioned in this episode: Episode 30: Regulation in the Dance Industry Episode 10: Training Load Management for Dancers Episode 7: Dance Conditioning - Cross-Training vs Supplementary Training Lea...
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  Episode 132: Your Questions, Answered - Part 3 19.05.2026 35min

  Back by popular demand, another Q&A style episode. In part 3 of this series, we tackle questions like How hypermobility presents in dancers (spoiler, it's not just being flexible)Advice for people wanting to work with performance-based athletesHow to deal with dancers who fake injuries to get out of showsAnd, my answers to the rapid fire questions you've heard guests answering for the past few yearsHave a question you want answered on a future episode? Send me an email or a DM...
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  Episode 131: Calf Injuries in Dance 12.05.2026 36min

  Calf injuries, and especially calf muscle strains, are a common injury in dance but one that has relatively little published research compared with other common dance injuries. In this episode, we discuss: the different types of calf strains and how they are gradedthe most common causes of calf strainstreatment protocols for calf strainsand prevention of calf injuriesAdditional podcast episodes mentioned in this episode: Episode 97: Achilles Tendinopathy in Dancers Episode 24: Posterior Ankle...
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  Episode 130: Emergency Medical Care in Dance 05.05.2026 31min

  Sideline emergnecy medical coverage in standard in most sports, but not yet commonplace in the dance world. In this episode, I break down what sideline medical coverage looks like, what an emergency action plan is and how studios, competitions, conventions and other events can begin to think about their own emergency action plans. Additional podcast episodes mentioned in this episode: Episode 91: Reflections from the PAMA International Symposium Episode 90: Staying Safe Dancing in the Heat ...
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  Episode 129: Osgood-Schlatter Disease in Dancers 28.04.2026 30min

  Osgood-Schlatter disease is a common type of anterior knee pain see in growing kids and adolescents. In this episode, you'll learn what causes Osgood-Schlatter disease, common symptoms associated with it as well as treatment approaches for dancers dealing with it. Additional podcast episodes mentioned in this episode: Episode 28: Growth Plate Injuries in Dancers Learn more about Erika Mayall: Follow me on Instagram: @dancephysioerikaLearn more about me on my website: https://www.allegroperf...
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  Episode 128: Shoulder Labral Tears in Dancers 21.04.2026 30min

  Although not one of the most common injuries we see in dancers, the impact they can have on a dancer's ability to train and perform can be significant. In this episode, we discuss: What the glenoid labrum is and why it's important for shoulder functionCommon causes of shoulder labral tearsDifferent types of labral tearsSymptoms and diagnosis of shoulder labral tearsTreatment options for dancers with a shoulder labrum injury.Additional podcast episodes mentioned in this episode: Episode 75: Hi...
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  Episode 127: Relative Energy Deficiency in Dance with Project RED-D 14.04.2026 41min

  On this week's podcast, I'm joined by Karen Sheriff and Suki McConnon of Project RED-D to discuss relative energy deficiency in sport (RED-S) and Project RED-D - a global initiative raising the visibility of RED-S in dance. We discuss: What RED-S/RED-D actually is and who is at riskCommon symptoms associated with RED-DWhat Project RED-D is, how it came about and it's main goalsHow Project RED-D aims to go beyond just awareness and actually start to embed change within the dance industr...
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  Episode 126: Extension-Based Back Pain in Dancers: Facet Joint Injuries 07.04.2026 28min

  Following Episode 123 on spondylolysis in dancers, we continue to explore causes of extension-based low back pain. In this episode, I break down facet joint injuries including: What is a facet joint injuryCommon presentation and symptoms associated with facet joint injuriesDiagnosis of facet joint injuriesTreatment and dance modifications for rehabbing from a facet joint injuryAdditional podcast episodes mentioned in this episode: Episode 123: Extension-Based Back Pain in Dancers: Spondylolys...