4 answers
Avila
Student
Carpinteria, California
2
Questions
Asked
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Do you think I could be a dance physical therapist if I minor in dance and major in Musculoskeletal and Integumentary Systems?
I've been a dancer all my life and I want to help dancers take care of their bodies and dance for longevity. Physical therapy was what I was thinking for that. :)
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4 answers
Martha Kramer
Corporate Training, Communications
335
Answers
Stamford, Connecticut
Updated
Martha’s Answer
Great question, Avila! The article below from the American Dance Therapy Association (ADTA) says you can major in whatever you want as an undergrad, but experience in dance (which you have) is very important. That said, your suggested course of study makes sense to me. By majoring in the medical part, I think you will have flexibility if you want to add other populations to your physical therapy practice.
Leaning into the "therapy" part, the article also mentions taking psychology courses. That also makes sense to me since dancers and other performers may face emotional and physical vulnerabilities that others typically do not.
Good luck!
Read ADTA advice - https://www.adta.org/become-a-dance-movement-therapist#:~:text=Therefore%2C%20a%20Master's%20degree%20is,%2DDMT)%20credential%20is%20awarded.
Leaning into the "therapy" part, the article also mentions taking psychology courses. That also makes sense to me since dancers and other performers may face emotional and physical vulnerabilities that others typically do not.
Good luck!
Martha recommends the following next steps:
James Constantine Frangos
Consultant Dietitian & Software Developer since 1972 => Nutrition Education => Health & Longevity => Self-Actualization.
6182
Answers
Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
Updated
James Constantine’s Answer
Hello Avila,
Absolutely, you have the potential to carve out a rewarding career as a dance physical therapist. With your minor in dance and major in Musculoskeletal and Integumentary Systems, you're well on your way to building a strong foundation in both dance techniques and understanding the human musculoskeletal system. These are key skills for addressing the unique needs of dancers.
In the role of a dance physical therapist, you'd be working closely with dancers. Your focus would be on injury prevention, addressing existing injuries, and enhancing performance through specialized rehabilitation programs. Your dual expertise in dance and the musculoskeletal system equips you to analyze movement patterns, detect weaknesses or imbalances, and create tailored treatment plans. This helps dancers maintain their physical health and extend their careers.
Your personal experience as a dancer gives you an edge. You understand the demands and challenges dancers face, enabling you to customize your interventions to meet their specific needs. Plus, your familiarity with dance techniques and terminology will make communication with dancers easier, helping to build trust and rapport.
In essence, a career as a dance physical therapist is a fulfilling way to merge your love for dance with your aspiration to help others achieve optimal physical health and longevity in their dance careers.
Here are the top 3 authoritative sources I used:
American Physical Therapy Association (APTA): A professional organization that offers resources, guidelines, and information about the field of physical therapy. Their publications and research provide valuable insights into becoming a dance-specialized physical therapist.
International Association for Dance Medicine & Science (IADMS): An interdisciplinary organization committed to improving the health, well-being, training, and performance of dancers. Their research and educational materials focus on the intersection of dance and healthcare.
Journal of Dance Medicine & Science: A peer-reviewed journal that publishes scientific research, clinical studies, and case reports related to dance medicine and science. It provides evidence-based information on the latest developments in dance physical therapy.
May God bless you!
James Constantine Frangos.
Absolutely, you have the potential to carve out a rewarding career as a dance physical therapist. With your minor in dance and major in Musculoskeletal and Integumentary Systems, you're well on your way to building a strong foundation in both dance techniques and understanding the human musculoskeletal system. These are key skills for addressing the unique needs of dancers.
In the role of a dance physical therapist, you'd be working closely with dancers. Your focus would be on injury prevention, addressing existing injuries, and enhancing performance through specialized rehabilitation programs. Your dual expertise in dance and the musculoskeletal system equips you to analyze movement patterns, detect weaknesses or imbalances, and create tailored treatment plans. This helps dancers maintain their physical health and extend their careers.
Your personal experience as a dancer gives you an edge. You understand the demands and challenges dancers face, enabling you to customize your interventions to meet their specific needs. Plus, your familiarity with dance techniques and terminology will make communication with dancers easier, helping to build trust and rapport.
In essence, a career as a dance physical therapist is a fulfilling way to merge your love for dance with your aspiration to help others achieve optimal physical health and longevity in their dance careers.
Here are the top 3 authoritative sources I used:
American Physical Therapy Association (APTA): A professional organization that offers resources, guidelines, and information about the field of physical therapy. Their publications and research provide valuable insights into becoming a dance-specialized physical therapist.
International Association for Dance Medicine & Science (IADMS): An interdisciplinary organization committed to improving the health, well-being, training, and performance of dancers. Their research and educational materials focus on the intersection of dance and healthcare.
Journal of Dance Medicine & Science: A peer-reviewed journal that publishes scientific research, clinical studies, and case reports related to dance medicine and science. It provides evidence-based information on the latest developments in dance physical therapy.
May God bless you!
James Constantine Frangos.
Thank you!
Avila
Kevin Brown
Athletic Trainer
2
Answers
Louisville, Kentucky
Updated
Kevin’s Answer
Hi Avila,
Having a dance background is certainly beneficial in becoming a dance physical therapist. However, it is not required. Being able to speak the "language" is certainly great and helps you relate and understand what yoir patients need.
The key point is to make sure you enjoy physical therapy. There are very few PTs who only do dance. You will likely need to start in general orthopedic practice while building a dance patient load. So you have to be sure you are okay with seeing a lot of different people for a lot of different things getting started before you get to the point of only seeing dancers (if ever).
There are many options put there from a "working with dancers" perspective. Don't limit yourself to only physical therapy. Explore other career options including PT, but also athletic training, nutrition/dietetics, strength and conditioning, or getting Pilates and/or Yoga certifications to help. As you explore, see what you like or don't like about each of these careers to make sure you find the right one.
Take a look at international Association for Dance Medicine and Science, Performing Arts Medicine Association, the Performing Arts Special Interest Group of the APTA, the Performing Arts Athletic Trainers Society, and all the other groups out there to get more info.
Having a dance background is certainly beneficial in becoming a dance physical therapist. However, it is not required. Being able to speak the "language" is certainly great and helps you relate and understand what yoir patients need.
The key point is to make sure you enjoy physical therapy. There are very few PTs who only do dance. You will likely need to start in general orthopedic practice while building a dance patient load. So you have to be sure you are okay with seeing a lot of different people for a lot of different things getting started before you get to the point of only seeing dancers (if ever).
There are many options put there from a "working with dancers" perspective. Don't limit yourself to only physical therapy. Explore other career options including PT, but also athletic training, nutrition/dietetics, strength and conditioning, or getting Pilates and/or Yoga certifications to help. As you explore, see what you like or don't like about each of these careers to make sure you find the right one.
Take a look at international Association for Dance Medicine and Science, Performing Arts Medicine Association, the Performing Arts Special Interest Group of the APTA, the Performing Arts Athletic Trainers Society, and all the other groups out there to get more info.
This was super helpful, thank you!
Avila
Patrick Meyer
Executive - Data Analytics and AI
750
Answers
Naperville, Illinois
Updated
Patrick’s Answer
If you love dance and are interested in helping dancers maintain their physical health, becoming a dance physical therapist is a great career choice. This path merges your love for dance with your curiosity about the body's movement and healing systems. Studying Musculoskeletal and Integumentary Systems as a major and dance as a minor can give you a solid understanding of body mechanics, anatomy, physiology, and healing methods. These are crucial for a physical therapist specializing in dance medicine.
Studying Musculoskeletal and Integumentary Systems will give you a detailed understanding of the body's bones, muscles, joints, ligaments, tendons, and skin. This knowledge will equip you to identify, diagnose, and treat common dance-related injuries and conditions like sprains, strains, tendonitis, and stress fractures.
Minoring in dance will give you hands-on experience and insights into various dance styles, techniques, and demands. Studying dance will help you understand the physical and artistic aspects of dance, as well as the unique challenges and risks dancers face. This combined approach will let you merge your knowledge of dance with your expertise in body movement and healing. This will enable you to offer specialized care that meets dancers' specific needs.
To become a dance physical therapist, you'll need to complete a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE). To get into DPT programs, you'll usually need to complete prerequisite coursework in subjects like biology, chemistry, physics, anatomy, physiology, and psychology. You'll also need relevant clinical experience or observation hours. Your major in Musculoskeletal and Integumentary Systems and minor in dance can strengthen your application and show your dedication to a career in dance medicine.
As you progress in your studies and career, look for opportunities to get practical experience in dance medicine and physical therapy settings. This could be through volunteering, shadowing, or internships. Building connections with professionals in the field, joining professional groups or student clubs, and staying updated on dance medicine research and practice can also help you succeed as a dance physical therapist. By merging your passion for dance with your expertise in body movement and healing, you can make a significant difference in helping dancers prevent injuries, perform at their best, and enjoy a long dancing career.
Studying Musculoskeletal and Integumentary Systems will give you a detailed understanding of the body's bones, muscles, joints, ligaments, tendons, and skin. This knowledge will equip you to identify, diagnose, and treat common dance-related injuries and conditions like sprains, strains, tendonitis, and stress fractures.
Minoring in dance will give you hands-on experience and insights into various dance styles, techniques, and demands. Studying dance will help you understand the physical and artistic aspects of dance, as well as the unique challenges and risks dancers face. This combined approach will let you merge your knowledge of dance with your expertise in body movement and healing. This will enable you to offer specialized care that meets dancers' specific needs.
To become a dance physical therapist, you'll need to complete a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE). To get into DPT programs, you'll usually need to complete prerequisite coursework in subjects like biology, chemistry, physics, anatomy, physiology, and psychology. You'll also need relevant clinical experience or observation hours. Your major in Musculoskeletal and Integumentary Systems and minor in dance can strengthen your application and show your dedication to a career in dance medicine.
As you progress in your studies and career, look for opportunities to get practical experience in dance medicine and physical therapy settings. This could be through volunteering, shadowing, or internships. Building connections with professionals in the field, joining professional groups or student clubs, and staying updated on dance medicine research and practice can also help you succeed as a dance physical therapist. By merging your passion for dance with your expertise in body movement and healing, you can make a significant difference in helping dancers prevent injuries, perform at their best, and enjoy a long dancing career.
Thank you!
Avila