SportsCare Physical Therapy provides specialized Dance Medicine services for dancers of all ages and experience levels. Dance places unique demands on the body, requiring strength, flexibility, control, and endurance. Our goal is to help dancers recover from injury, prevent future issues, and safely return to the activities they love.
At our John’s Creek clinic, our physical therapists understand the physical requirements of dance and tailor treatment plans to each dancer’s needs and goals.
Ashante Booker grew up a competitive and commercial dancer, competing in various styles of dance for nine years and appearing in two movies by the age of sixteen. As a dance teacher with over ten years of experience in technique, strengthening, and conditioning training for dancers, she decided to pursue physical therapy with the intention of working specifically with dancers, gymnasts, and other artistic athletes. Ashante completed both her undergraduate and graduate studies at Emory University, obtaining her Bachelor of Science in Anthropology and Human Biology in 2021 and earning her Doctorate of Physical Therapy in 2025. This strong academic and performance background provided her with a comprehensive understanding of both the theoretical and practical aspects of physical therapy and its application to dancers.
Ashante started her career at SportsCare Physical Therapy during her graduate studies, where she completed her first ten-week long-term clinical rotation under the instruction of Jeff Lewandowski. At Sports Care, Jeff has treated several athletes, including dancers and performers such as his daughter, a professional dancer who has performed internationally, for various dance related injuries. He has also taken dance medicine courses throughout his career.
What Is Dance Medicine?
Dance Medicine is a specialized area of physical therapy focused on the evaluation, treatment, and prevention of dance-related injuries. It combines traditional physical therapy techniques with dance-specific movement analysis to address the unique stresses placed on the body during training and performance.
This approach allows our therapists to identify movement patterns, strength imbalances, and flexibility limitations that may contribute to pain or injury.
Who We Treat
Our Dance Medicine program is designed for:
- Ballet dancers
- Contemporary and modern dancers
- Jazz, tap, and hip hop dancers
- Ballroom and Latin dancers
- Dance students and instructors
- Dancers returning to activity after injury
We treat both recreational and competitive dancers, from young students to adults.
Our Approach to Treating Dancers
Every dancer begins with a comprehensive evaluation to assess movement, posture, strength, flexibility, and balance. We also review training volume, technique demands, and injury history to develop a complete understanding of each dancer’s needs.
Based on this evaluation, your therapist will create an individualized treatment plan that may include manual therapy, therapeutic exercise, neuromuscular re-education, balance training, and progressive return-to-dance activities. Treatment is designed to restore function while supporting long-term injury prevention.
Common Dance-Related Conditions We Treat
Dance can place repetitive stress on the joints and soft tissues. Common conditions we treat include ankle sprains, Achilles tendon pain, shin splints, knee pain, hip and groin strains, low back pain, foot and heel pain, and overuse injuries related to training volume.
If pain is affecting your ability to train or perform, physical therapy can help address the underlying cause and guide a safe return to activity.
Supporting Performance and Injury Prevention
In addition to injury rehabilitation, Dance Medicine at SportsCare Physical Therapy focuses on improving movement quality and reducing the risk of future injury. Education on body mechanics, strength development, and recovery strategies is an important part of care.
Our therapists work with dancers to improve control, stability, and efficiency of movement so they can continue dancing with confidence.
Why Choose SportsCare Physical Therapy
SportsCare Physical Therapy offers individualized care in a supportive clinical environment. Our therapists collaborate closely with each patient to ensure treatment aligns with their activity level and goals.
At our John’s Creek clinic, dancers receive one-on-one care focused on restoring function, improving movement, and supporting a safe return to dance.
Schedule a Dance Medicine Evaluation
If you are experiencing pain, recovering from an injury, or looking to prevent future issues, SportsCare Physical Therapy can help. Contact John’s Creek clinic to schedule a Dance Medicine evaluation and learn how physical therapy can support your return to dance.