The Dangers of Social Media

Physiotherapists have been seeing an increased number of hip and back injuries in teenage dancers as they try and achieve greater flexibility to maximise their ability to achieve their dance goals.

According to physiotherapist Debra Crookshanks, an International Association of Dance Medicine and Science board member, overtraining is rife because competitions and Eisteddfords are “fierce,” and kids come to her with “advanced injuries.” A University of Sydney study by PhD candidate Melinda Purnell, found a risk of “chronic,” injury for dancers aged under 14 who were training for more than 8.5 hours a week. Young “elite,” dancers train 15 hours a week as a matter of course.*

Dance is continuing to increase in popularity and “how to,” videos can provide false impressions of the amount of preparation and training that is involved in being able to achieve more difficult stretches and dance moves. It is vitally important for parents and teachers to reinforce the importance of correct training and technique to protect growing bodies from injuries that can hinder or prevent future achievement or careers.

Come see us at Back to Health Physiotherapy in Newport for your child’s dance injuries, or even to assess their technique in stretches and how they move.

*https://www.smh.com.au/national/kids-dance-boom-fuels-injury-risk-20150709-gi8g1e.html