The Dance Physio Podcast
Episodes
Episode 125: Fuelling for Recovery with Maria Tanielian
31 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
On this week's episode, I'm joined by registered sports dietician Maria Tanielian for a conversation about what it takes for dancers to fuel...
Episode 124: 5 Pillars of Longevity for Adult Dancers
24 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Inspired after spending the day at an incredible dance convention for dancers ages 18+, in this episode I'm sharing the 5 pillars of longevity fo...
Episode 123: Extension-Based Back Pain in Dancers: Spondylolysis
17 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Low back pain is common among youth athletes and young dancers, and spondylolysis is the most common identifiable cause of it. In this episode, I brea...
Episode 122: Five Takeaways from the 2026 Winter Olympics
10 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
The 2026 Winter Olympics just concluded in Milano-Cortina, and like many people I was absolutely glued to my TV for the duration of the games. For any...
Episode 121: Exploring Careers in the Dance Industry
03 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Not every dancer dreams of performing, and even the most successful performers have to transition out of performance careers at some point. In the pas...
Episode 120: Considerations for Performing When Injured
24 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
If you've been around for any length of time, you know how much I LOVE the Olympics. The recent Milano Cortina Winter Games just concluded, and t...
Episode 119: Common Challenges in Pointe Shoe Fitting
17 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Inspired by my recent talk at The Dancewear Association of Canada conference, in this episode I summarize some of the common challenges we see in poin...
Episode 118: Thriving in Audition Season with Caitlin Sloan
10 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
This week I'm joined by Caitlin Sloan of The Brainy Ballerina to talk about all things related to auditions. Caitlin shares her approach to helpi...
Episode 117: Chondromalacia in Dancers
03 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we dive into chondromalacia and how it affects dancers. You'll learn what exactly chrondromalacia is, how it is graded and what c...
Episode 116: Dancing with Scoliosis
27 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
With rates of scoliosis in dancers reported to be as high as 20-30% of dancers, it's no wonder this is a topic that gets a lot of attention withi...
Episode 115: Scoliosis 101 with Andrea Mendoza of The ScoliClinic
20 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
This week I'm joined by scoliosis expert and owner of The ScoliClinic Andrea Mendoza. Andrea shares her story and the inspiration behind opening ...
Episode 114: My Treatment Philosophy as a Dance Physiotherapist
13 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Have you ever wondered what it's like to work with a dance physiotherapist? Or specifically with me or one of the physiotherapists at Allegro Per...
Episode 113: 2026 Word of the Year
06 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to 2026! On this podcast episode, I share my word of the year for 2026, as well as the process behind how and why I pick a word of the year. I...
Episode 112: How to Maximize Your Winter Break Training
16 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The winter break is fast approaching, and dancers are starting to think about how to get the most out of their time off. In this podcast episode, I di...
Episode 111: Snap, crackle, pop - why do dancer's joints make so much noise?
09 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Have you ever wondered why dancer's joints make so much noise? In this podcast episode, you'll learn what's actually happening when joi...
Episode 110: 2025 Holiday Gift Guide
02 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The wait is over! The 2025 Holiday Gift Guide is here!On this week's podcast episode, I bring you some of my favourite products for the dancers (...
Episode 109: Motor Imagery for Injured Dancers
25 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Mental rehearsal (also known as Motor Imagery) is the practice of mentally simulating a movement without physical exertion. It has a multitude of bene...
Episode 108: Healthy Dancer Canada Conference Recap
18 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
I just returned from the Healthy Dancer Canada annual conference which was held in Montreal, QC this month. Attending conferences (and any professiona...
Episode 107: Pelvic Floor Health for Dancers with Dr Brooke Winder
11 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Pelvic health for dancers is an area of clinical practice that is currently growing in research and awareness. This week on the podcast, I'm join...
Episode 106: Pointe Readiness Assessments for Dancers
04 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Progressing to pointe work has long been considered a rite of passage for many aspiring ballet dancers. However, it does not come without risks. Danci...
Episode 105: Breaking the Binary in Ballet with Anna Morgan
28 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Did you know that despite ballet being predominantly populated by cis gender girls in training settings (92% in the UK), men take up the vast majority...
Episode 104: Hip Dysplasia in Dancers
21 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, I discuss hip dysplasia and why it matters for dancers. You'll learn exactly what hip dysplasia is, how it is diagnosed, and com...
Episode 103: Clenching, Gripping and Knuckling: what your dancer's feet can tell you
14 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this podcast episode I recap my recent presentation at the IADMS Annual Conference in Las Vegas, a workshop with longtime friend, mentor and collea...
Episode 102: Physio Insights for Latin Dancers with Dr. Julieann Berg
07 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode I'm joined by Dr. Julieann Berg, physical therapist and Latin dancer extraordinaire. We chat about common injuries she sees in th...
Episode 101: IADMS Annual Conference Recap
30 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
I'm freshly back from the International Association for Dance Medicine and Science Annual conference in Las Vegas and feeling refreshed and inspi...
Episode 100: 100th Episode Celebration 🎉
23 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this special milestone podcast episode, I reflect back on the past 100 episodes of The Dance Physio Podcast, and celebrate the community that has b...
Episode 99: Helping Dancers Advocate for Themselves in the Studio
16 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
A question I often get from dance parents is 'how can I help my dancer advocate for themselves in the studio?'. Although I love the care and...
Episode 98: Patellar Tendinopathy in Dancers
09 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Patellar tendinopathy (also known as Jumper's Knee) is a common issue in dancers. Similar to achilles tendinopathy, we often see a spike in the r...
Episode 97: Achilles Tendinopathy in Dancers
02 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Achilles tendinopathy is a common issue in dancers, especially among styles with a lot of relevé, pointe work or jumping. In this episode, I talk abo...
Episode 96: Discussing the Royal Ballet School's Recent Announcement
26 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
As you may or may not have heard, the Royal Ballet School recently announced changes in the structure to their full time vocational training program. ...
Episode 95: Preparing for the New Dance Season
19 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The new dance season is fast approaching in most of North America, and on this week's podcast episode I discuss some things to consider as we hea...
Episode 94: A Better Way to Teach Flexibility for Dancers
12 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
There has (once again?) been a proliferation of posts on social media glorifying unsafe and extreme stretching practices. In this podcast episode I un...
Episode 93: Building Artistic Athletes with Samuel Downing
05 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode I'm joined by Samuel Downing, Dance Conditioning and Safe Stretch Coach, as we chat about the role dance conditioning plays in su...
Episode 92: Nervous System Hygiene with Jessica Patching-Bunch
29 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this week's podcast episode I'm joined by stress resilience coach Jessica Patching-Bunch (aka JPB) to discuss all things related to stres...
Episode 91: Reflections from the PAMA International Symposium
22 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
I'm just returned from the 43rd Annual PAMA International Symposium in Washington, DC and nothing inspires me more than spending time and sharing...
Episode 90: Staying Safe Dancing in the Heat
15 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
As the weather heats up in the Northern Hemisphere and summer training programs are in full swing, it's important to consider how to keep dancers...
Episode 89: Exploring the Science of Dance with Sarah Kenny
08 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode I'm thrilled to be joined by friend and colleague Sarah Kenny. We discuss her journey and career transition from a professional d...
Episode 88: Your Questions, Answered - Part 2
01 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this week's podcast episode, once again I'm answering your questions! Part 1 of this series was so popular and I had so many questions th...
Episode 87: Shin Splints in Dancers
24 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Shin Splints (aka medial tibial stress syndrome) is a common complaint among dancers. In this episode we discuss what shin splints actually is (and is...
Episode 86: Femoroacetabular Impingement (FAI) in Dancers
17 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Femoroacetabular Impingement (FAI) has a higher prevalence in dance populations than in the general population. In this episode, you'll learn the...
Episode 85: Your Questions, Answered - Part 1
10 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this week's podcast episode, I'm answering your questions! I have been compiling a list of listener questions, and finally get a chance t...
Episode 84: What to pack for summer intensive - physio edition
03 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Summer dance intensives are just around the corner, and dancers are starting to think about what they'll need to pack for a successful summer. In...
Episode 83: ACL Rehabilitation for Dancers
27 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Although anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries aren't super common in dancers, they do happen and post-surgical rehabilitation looks slightly...
Episode 82: ACL Injuries in Sport & Dance
20 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injuries have been forefront in the media and sporting world in recent years with an apparent uptick of injuries, esp...
Episode 81: Foot Health for Dancers with Bri Zborowski
13 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this podcast episode I'm joined by Bri Zborowski from Apolla Performance Wear to discuss all things foot health for dancers. In last week&apos...
Episode 80: Footwear for Dancers
06 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, I explore the importance and limitations of footwear for dancer's. We discuss the current state of research when it comes to foo...
Episode 79: Misconceptions About Turnout in Dance
29 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
One of the biggest misconceptions about turnout in dance is that it stays the same in every position. In reality, the amount of turnout a dancer can a...
Episode 78: How to Stop Gripping in the Hips During Extensions
22 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Gripping in the front of the thigh or a feeling of jamming in the front of the hip is a common problem dancers report in extensions devant (to the fro...
Episode 77: The Rehabilitation Continuum
15 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
When it comes to injury rehabilitation, it's easy to feel like you're done as soon as pain goes away. In reality, this is often just the beg...
Episode 76: Optimizing Sleep for Dancers
08 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
We all know that sleep is important for optimal performance and recovery, but with 59-80% of dancers reporting poor sleep, many dancers are missing th...
Episode 75: Hip Labral Tears in Dancers
01 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Hip labral tears are a common injury in dancers, although they often may not present until later in a dancers career or life. In this episode, you&apo...
Episode 74: #DanceSmarter with Rosina Andrews
25 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, I'm joined by dance educator extraordinaire Rosina Andrews. We chat about her early life growing up as a dance studio kid, the m...
Episode 73: The Importance of Flooring in Dance
18 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Research in court sports shows that floor surface in combination with footwear has the potential to decrease the risk of musculoskeletal injuries in a...
Episode 72: Competition Countdown. Part 4 - Fuelling for Competition with Jenny Accettura
11 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to a new 4 part series - Competition Countdown. As dance competition season ramps up into full swing in most parts of North America, this seri...
Episode 71: Competition Countdown. Part 3: Rest & Recovery for Competitions
04 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to a new 4 part series - Competition Countdown. As dance competition season ramps up into full swing in most parts of North America, this seri...
Episode 70: Competition Countdown. Part 2 - Dancer First Aid
25 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to a new 4 part series - Competition Countdown. As dance competition season ramps up into full swing in most parts of North America, this seri...
Episode 69: Competition Countdown. Part 1 - Preparing for Competition
18 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to a new 4 part series - Competition Countdown. As dance competition season ramps up into full swing in most parts of North America, this seri...
Episode 68: Elevating Dance with Chloey Turner
11 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, I'm joined by guest Chloey Turner. We have a fantastic conversation discussing her journey in the Irish Dance world from anxious...
Episode 67: Flexor Hallucis Longus (FHL) Injuries in Dance
04 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The Flexor Hallucis Longus (FHL) muscle is a common site of injury in dance - although rare in other sporting/athletic populations. It is a an importa...
Episode 66: Dance: is it art or sport?
28 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Inspired by the recent UDA Nationals, on this week's podcast episode I revisit the age old question of whether dance is art or whether it is spor...
Episode 65: Supporting Neurodivergent Dancers with Jennifer Milner
21 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, I'm joined by my friend Jennifer Milner, a certified pilates trainer who specializes in working with dancers and dance rehabilit...
Episode 64: Why Stretching Doesn't Always Work
14 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
There's nothing more frustrating to a dancer than stretching all the time and feeling like you're not making progress towards your flexibili...
Episode 63: Dance Anatomy 101
07 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In the podcast episode, I discuss the importance of knowing and understanding anatomy, as both a dance teacher and a dancer. I discuss the 3 most comm...
Episode 62: Word of the Year and Goal Setting for 2025
31 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode I reveal my word of the year for 2025, as well as my process for coming up with a word each year. I also discuss goal setting for danc...
Episode 61: Dancer's Fracture
24 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode I talk about the Dancer's Fracture. You'll learn what a dancer's fracture is, how it differs from other types of fractu...
Episode 60: Winter Break Training Plans for Dancers
17 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
With the winter break fast approaching in most of the northern hemisphere, in this episode I dive into what a dancer's training plan should look ...
Episode 59: Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome in Dancers
10 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (PFPS) is one of the most common knee issues in dancers. In this episode, I go through what exactly PFPS actually is, why...
Episode 58: 2024 Holiday Gift Guide
03 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The wait is over! The 2024 Holiday Gift Guide is finally here!On this week's podcast episode, I bring you some of my favourite products for the d...
Episode 57: The Truth About Foot Stretchers
26 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
As a follow-on to last week's episode on the form vs the function of the foot, on this episode of the podcast we dive into the truth about foot s...
Episode 56: Dancer's Feet - Form vs Function
19 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In dance, there is a lot of emphasis placed on having 'perfect feet' and the highly sought after 'banana foot'. In this podcast ep...
Episode 55: Strength Training for Dancers
12 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
It's no secret that the physical demands of dance have increased exponentially in the recent years. However, the structure and training of dance ...
Episode 54: Are You Dance Ready? with Dr. Danelle Dickson
05 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, I'm joined by Dr. Danelle Dickson, a performing arts specialist physical therapist from Washington, DC. We talk about the import...
Episode 53: 4 Ways to Incorporate Dance Science into the Studio
29 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Freshly back from the International Association for Dance Medicine and Science conference in Italy, this episode is directly inspired by conversations...
Episode 52: Reflections on 1 Year of The Dance Physio Podcast
15 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The Dance Physio Podcast officially turns 1 year old 🎉 This week's episode is a little bit different, as I reflect on one year of podcasting, ...
Episode 51: Snapping Hip Syndrome in Dancers
08 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Snapping Hip Syndrome is such a common presentation in dancers that it's often referred to as Dancer's Hip in the medical field. In this epi...
Episode 50: Tendonitis in Dancers
01 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Tendonitis in one of the most commonly diagnosed injuries in athletes, and dancers are no exception. In this podcast episode, we dive into all the det...
Episode 49: Early Sport Specialization in Dance - Part 2
24 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Early Sport Specialization (ESS) has increased in youth sports in recent years. In Part 1 of this series, we discussed exactly what early sport specia...
Episode 48: Early Sport Specialization in Dance - Part 1
17 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Early Sport Specialization (ESS) has increased in youth sports in recent years, but it's not without its drawbacks. In this episode, you'll ...
Episode 47: Return to Dance Pre-Season Training Considerations
10 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
With the start of the new dance season in most parts of North America, this episode focuses on considerations that teachers and students should be awa...
Episode 46: Six Lessons Dance Can Learn From the Olympics
03 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
If you've been following me for any length of time you know how obsessed I am with the Olympics. In this episode, I highlight 6 lessons that I th...
Episode 45: Continuing Education Options for Dance Teachers
27 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
One of the questions I commonly get asked from dance teachers and other physiotherapists is what options there are for continuing education when it co...
Episode 44: Strength and Conditioning for Irish Dance with Ellen Waller
20 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, I'm joined by Ellen Waller from Target Training Dance. Ellen and I first met at an IADMS conference in 2019 and immediately hit ...
Episode 43: Nerve Glides for Dancers
13 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Nerve gliding, also known as nerve flossing, is a common treatment technique used in physiotherapy. Recently, it has become more main stream and used ...
Episode 42: Incorporating Science into Dance with Maria Haralambis
06 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, I'm joined by Maria Haralambis - aka The Dance Scientist. We discuss Maria's journey in the dance world, and how she discov...
Episode 41: Self Care for Dance Teachers
30 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Just like many people in helping professions, dance teachers put everything into their students and studios, often at the expense of their own health ...
Episode 40: Leadership in Dance with Tamara Thompson Levi
23 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, I'm joined by Tamara Thompson Levi - the founder, director and CEO of Shine Dance Festival and The Dance Leadership Institute. W...
Episode 39: Managing Injuries at a Summer Intensive
16 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
No one wants to get injured while away at a summer intensive, but the reality is injuries are an unfortunate part of dance. Some dancers will come int...
Episode 38: Dance Education as Skills for Life with Lindsay Daniels
09 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, I'm joined by Lindsay Daniels from The Movement Project. We discuss her journey in the dance world, the injury that led her to a...
Episode 37: Managing Knee Hyperextension in Dancers
02 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Hyperextension at the knee is an aesthetic that is often valued and sought after in the dance world. Those that don't have it want it, but those ...
Episode 36: When is an Injury Actually an Injury in Dance?
25 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Dance is one of the most physically demanding activities and dancers are continually pushing their body's to the limit. Some aches/pains/niggles ...
Episode 35: Sprains, Strains and -itis's in Dance
18 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Ever wondered what the difference between a sprain and a strain is? And which one is a more severe injury? In this episode I discuss the difference be...
Episode 34: Syllabus Training in Dance with Astrid Sherman
11 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, I'm joined by one of my long time teachers and mentors, Astrid Sherman. We discuss the pros and cons to implementing a syllabus ...
Episode 33: Optimizing Rest in the Post Season
04 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
When we think of rest, we typically just think of physical rest. But that's just one of 7 different types of rest - as described by Dr. Saundra D...
Episode 32: Accommodating Modifications in Dance
28 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
I continue to hear stories of dancers being penalized for being injured by being pulled from dances or not being allowed to perform. In this episode, ...
Episode 31: Off Season Training Plans for Dancers
21 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
With the end of the dance year fast approaching, it's time to consider what the off season is going to look like for you or your dancers. In this...
Episode 30: Regulation in the Dance Industry
14 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In most parts of the world, the dance industry is unregulated. In this episode, I dive into what that actually means, the difference between regulatio...
Episode 29: Patellar Dislocations in Dancers
07 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Patellar (kneecap) dislocations and subluxations are a common knee injury in dancers. In this episode, I discuss how and why these injuries happen, as...
Episode 28: Growth Plate Injuries in Dancers
30 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Adolescent dancers are not just small adults, and there are certain injuries that need to be taken into consideration for this specific population. Gr...
Episode 27: The Use of Ankle Weights in Dance
23 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Ankle weights have become popular in the dance world as a potential way of strengthening dancer's legs. In this episode I discuss the use of ankl...
Episode 26: Tips for Tapering in Dance
16 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
"No other sport runs the marathon before running the marathon" - Catherine Vargo. Tapering is the idea that you decrease your training load ...