Dance Physiotherapy in Calgary

Versa Movement Collective offers dance physiotherapy and rehabilitation in South Calgary and nearby. We are familiar with the specific requirements needed to help dancers recover from injury, move better and feel better.

Dance-Specific Treatment

The VersaMC team is familiar with the particular injuries and strains experienced by dancers of all ages and levels, allowing us to create dance-specific treatment regimes that target foot overuse, as well as ankles, lower legs, hips, and commonly affected areas.

Dedicated Dance Corner

Our state-of-the-art clinic now includes a dedicated dance corner, allowing us the dedicated space to focus solely on helping dancers improve their range of motion.

Encouraging, Empowering Team

When you’re a dancer, having any sort of injury or strain affecting your performance can be stressful. We understand the proper treatment areas, which is why we empower dancers to get back on stage and move freely.

What’s Included in Our Dance Physiotherapy Treatment

Pre-Pointe Assessments: We provide pre-pointe assessments, which are necessary for ballet dancers. By assessing foot strength and ankle strength, range of motion, and flexibility, we help prepare dancers for pointe work and allow them to improve their technique

Performance Improvement: We analyze dancers’ techniques to help them meet their training benchmarks and improve their overall performance, all while determining the best ways to help them minimize their risk of injury or strain.

Injury Prevention: We assess dancers to determine their foot control, posture, flexibility, core control, hip leverage, and more.

Injury Rehabilitation: Our physiotherapists are trained to properly assess and treat dance-specific injuries, allowing us to create treatment programs that focus on any overuse of the feet, ankles, legs, lower back, and hips.

Helping You Move and Dance Better

Versa Movement Collective is excited to launch its dedicated physiotherapy and rehabilitation program, specifically tailored for dancers and performers. We are familiar with the difficulties of learning to dance, which is why our treatment plans are developed with all dance-related injuries in mind. Our team includes experts on the prevention and treatment of dance-related injuries. We help dancers prevent re-injury by educating them on how to maintain proper posture and muscle balance. This includes the implementation of proper stretching regimes, as well as tips on how to continue and maintain proper care following treatment sessions.

Treatment Specifically Made for Dancers

Dancers, gymnasts, and other artistic athletes combine the best parts of both sport and artistry. As such, their treatment must address not only the physical component of their pain or discomfort but also any visual implications that injury can cause.

At VersaMC, we are familiar with the specific types of stress that dancers place on their bodies to perfect their technique. That’s why we work alongside dancers in our tailored recovery plans, empowering them to return to peak performance. We also focus on educating dancers about the specific demands that dancing places on key areas of their anatomy.

Don’t Let Injury Hold You Back

Being a successful dancer means always being on point. As such, we know that experiencing strain or injury and having it hinder performance can be stressful and upsetting. Not only does this mean putting your passion on hold, but it also means missing out on opportunities to grow your career and improve your technique. VersaMC is connected with the dance community, which is why we understand the importance of quick and effective recovery in the dancing world. That’s why we are always on top of the latest medical research and treatment options for dancers and those in the performance arts.

Dance-Specific Treatments

Proper treatment of acute injuries acquired through dance training can help minimize any recovery time. To ensure our treatment methods are effective, we assess each dancer’s training and medical history, postural alignment, flexibility, hips, muscle balance, and techniques specific to their field of dance. This will allow our experts to develop the most in-depth treatment plan available.

Our pre-pointe assessments are also one of the highlights of our dance physiotherapy program. Going “en pointe” is a major benchmark for any ballet dancer in their training. However, having a thorough assessment by a trained professional beforehand can prevent future injuries and ensure the safest progression into a more intensive ballet career. 


This assessment will look at a dancer’s history, physical development, preferred dance technique, postural control, core stability and strength, foot strength, ankle control and more.

THE JOURNEY TO POINTE

Beginning pointe work is an exciting time for ballet dancers, and an important

milestone in a dancer's training. As each dancer is on their own dance journey, their readiness to Begin pointe training can occur at different ages, and varying years of ballet experience.


A team approach is essential for beginning Pointe work. Dance teachers provide essential insights on a dancer's technique and training tolerance in class.


The physiotherapist determines a student's biomechanical readiness for pointe To prevent injury and maximize success en pointe. Additionally, the dancer must take Responsibility in their own proactive physical preparations for pointe.

  • Preparing for the Dance Assessment

    IMPORTANT: Please ensure dancers bring their various dance shoes and wear form- fitting clothing for accurate technique assessment, with hair securely tied for turning assessment. Dancers can arrive 10- 15 minutes early for their appointment and will be given space and a mat to complete their own warm-up.


  • During the Dance Assessment

    Assessments typically take one hour. During this time, the following areas will be assessed.

    • Dance technique: Versa's clinic offers a dance corner with marley over sprung subfloor and a barre, allowing for accurate dance technique of jumping, turns, and barre skills.
    • Tissue health: The dancer's muscles and joints are assessed to prevent injury and improve flexibility
    • Flexibility: Assessment includes range of motion and length checks of joints, fascia, and muscle. Areas of limited mobility are treated with mobilizations and stretches, and areas of high mobility are treated with strength and muscle control strategies.
    • Strength: Full body strength is assessed, with a focus on core and lower body to enhance technique and prevent injury.
    • Balance: Balance is assessed in single leg and two leg positions, both static and dynamic, in turn-out and parallel. Improved balance can be the key to higher leg lifts and advanced turn ability.

  • What Happens IF I Pass the Assessment?

    Following assessment by the physiotherapist, and following collaboration with dance teachers, dancers are provided with a written summary outlining assessment of readiness for pointe, areas of strength, and areas to improve upon for maximum performance and safety. Dancers are provided with an initial set of exercises individualized to their areas of need based on testing results.


  • Enhancing Dance Performance

    Dancers are encouraged to continue check-ins with their physiotherapist to continue to build strength, coordination, balance, and flexibility for dance and pointe success. Appointment frequency is variable depending on a dancer's needs, varying from check-ins once weekly to check-ins every few months. Versa also offers cross-training conditioning sessions for dancers, both in individual and group settings, with our Certified Strength and Conditioning Coach.


  • What Happens If I Do Not Pass the Assessment?

    A dancer who does not pass their assessment will also receive the post-assessment summary and an initial home exercise program.


    The pre-pointe assessment is a test of the necessary strength, coordination, and flexibility needed for safety en pointe. There are many reasons a talented and well- trained dancers may not pass their assessment.


    For example, younger dancers often do not show as much rotational knee control in jump landings compared to the natural control of an older dancer. Very high flexibility can also complicate passing pre-pointe safety tests, as very high flexibility requires higher than age-typical strength to control lower body joint alignment during testing.


    Due to the rigorous safety testing of the pre-pointe assessment, it is very common to receive the recommendation to perform a 4-6 week strengthening period prior to Commencing pointe training under supervision of the physiotherapist. 3-4 follow-up appointments can be expected. During follow-up appointments, the home exercise program intensity will be increased by  the physiotherapist, and dance safety tests will be repeated to monitor progress towards pointe readiness.


Dance Better With the VersaMC Team

Looking for a dedicated dance physiotherapy and rehabilitation team in South Calgary or nearby? Contact Versa Movement Collective today by requesting an appointment using our booking link.

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