08: How can Physical Therapists Help Cure Injury?

Short Summary

Dr. Luka Ojemaye explains the role of physical therapy for dancers and emphasizes that rest is part of training.

He highlights how physical therapy (PT) combines prevention, recovery, and education, focusing on musculoskeletal health, mobility, and performance optimization. For breakdancers, common injuries often stem from overuse and cultural pressures to “push through” pain. He stresses the importance of rest, gradual return to practice, and shifting community mindsets toward smarter training and self-care to ensure long-term performance.

Topics Discussed

• What is physical therapy?

• What are common injuries in dance?

• How can we treat and prevent wrist tendinitis?

• What are the warning signs of overuse injury?

• What can dance communities do to shift away from "push through pain" mentality?

Key Learnings

1. Physical Therapy for Dancers

   • Focuses on assessing and rehabilitating the musculoskeletal system.

   • Benefits: movement-specific rehab, performance optimization, mobility, load management, and injury prevention.

2. Common Injuries

   • Overuse tendon issues, stress fractures, knee and ankle pain, wrist and elbow strain.

   • Often caused by repetitive pounding, floor impact, and cultural norms of ignoring pain.

3. Treatment Approaches

   • Rest and modify activity; splints, braces, and taping to stabilize injured areas.

   • Ice therapy (15–20 mins, 2–3 times/day) to reduce inflammation.

   • Stretching and eccentric strengthening with gradual progression.

   • If pain persists >2–3 weeks, consult specialists (e.g., orthopedics).

4. Prevention Strategies

   • Dynamic warmups, strength and conditioning (beyond dance muscles), posture correction, and cooldowns.

   • Balanced nutrition and adequate recovery practices.

   • Slowly return to play; avoid 100% intensity immediately after injury.

5. Rest as Training

   • Rest allows muscles to repair and prevents overtraining breakdown.

   • Fatigue increases risk of compensation and injury.

   • Even elite athletes structure preseason, in-season, and off-season cycles to balance work and rest.

6. Shifting Dance Culture

   • Normalize recovery by showcasing role models who value rest.

   • Use education, workshops, and social media to promote recovery routines.

   • Reframe rest as a skill, not a weakness.

   • Coaches and PTs can play a key role in building recovery into training programs.

7. Self-Care & Mental Health

   • Physical burnout leads to anxiety, depression, and loss of motivation.

   • Self-care (mental + physical) is essential for sustainable progress.

   • Open conversations about injury culture and recovery reduce stigma.

About the Speaker

 Dr. Luka Ojemaye is a postdoc researcher at Stanford University, specializing in overuse injury prevention, recovery science, and lifestyle strategies. He’s also a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist and physical therapist who works with athletes and dancers from youth to professionals.