Program for the Performing Arts

As specialists in dance medicine and rehabilitation, the Program for Performing Arts is proud to be the primary medical providers for BalletMet and the OSU Department of Dance. Our team consists of sports medicine primary care physicians, orthopaedic surgeons, chiropractors, physical therapists and athletic trainers experienced in dealing with the special needs of the performing artist.

The Performing Arts Medicine staff is trained in many treatment techniques including manual therapy, dance specific exercise programs, and Pilates based rehabilitation. We work with you to help restore proper joint mechanics and muscle function, improve movement and coordination awareness, and develop efficient technique.  Nutrition counseling and sport psychology services are also available.

Meet Our Performing Arts Medicine Team

Thomas Best MD, PhD	Julie Bishop MD	Hope Davis AT	Lindsay Harmon-Matthews PT
Robin Hunter DC	Michael Jonesco DO	Kelsey Logan MD	Tiffany Marulli PT
Michelle Matthews PT	Mariah Nierman PT	Claire Plummer PT, AT	Tom Summanen AT
Diane Wilson PTA	Samantha Winiesdorffer PT

Community Partnerships

We have a strong presence in the dance community.  We provide onsite medical coverage for Ballet Met and OSU Dance.

We also provide care to local and touring dance companies and Broadway shows including Columbus Movement, Anna and the Annadroids, SNAP!, Ailey II, Dance Theatre Harlem, A Chorus Line, and The Lion King.

Dance Wellness Programs

The program for performing arts medicine offers community wellness programs designed to educate the recreational and pre-professional dancer.

Topics include:

• Wellness and injury prevention for the adolescent dancer
• Nutritional considerations for the performing artist
• Anatomy and kinesiology
• Cross training workshop
• Foot and ankle class
• Pointe readiness screening
• Dance wellness screening

If you are interested in attending one of our programs or would like us to develop an individualized workshop for your studio phone (614) 366-3600.

Contact Us

For more information on our programs or to make an appointment with one of our dance medicine specialists contact us at:

OSU Sports Medicine Downtown
21 East State Street, Suite 300
(614) 366-3600

OSU Sports Medicine Stoneridge
3900 Stoneridge Lane, Suite C
(614) 366-9324

Dance Wellness Exercise List

The Performing Arts Medicine staff and members of the Department of Dance have teamed up to make educational videos of common exercises helpful to dancers. View the playlist here.

Research and Education

Click on the titles below for printable articles (pdf) 

• 14 Common Dance Injuries

From The International Association for Dance Medicine and Science:

• The Challenge of the Adolescent Dancer
• Fueling the Dancer: Nutrition Fact Sheet
• Proprioception
• "When Can I Start Pointe Work?"

Our staff is currently developing research initiatives with OSU’s Labs in Life at COSI and the MAPS program within OSU Sports Medicine to progress the science of performing arts medicine. Check back for updates of our ongoing process.

Resources

Dance Medicine Organizations

• IADMS www.iadms.org
• PAMA  www.artsmed.org
• Dance USA  www.danceusa.com
• Dancer Wellness Project  http://www.dancerwellnessproject.com/

Local Dance Organizations

• Ballet Met  www.balletmet.org
• OSU Department of Dance  http://dance.osu.edu
• Ohio Dance  www.ohiodance.org