This document provides an overview of basic first aid for common dance injuries. It discusses what first aid is, defines different dance genres like ballet and modern dance. It then describes the most common dance injuries, which include foot/ankle, knee, lower back and bone fractures. It recommends RICE treatment for soft tissue injuries - rest, ice, compression and elevation. Finally, it provides tips for preventing injuries like proper warm-up and cooling down, wearing fitted shoes, and knowing your body's limits.

1. Basic First Aid for Dance Injuries
MICHAEL ERVIN GUERZON, MPH

2. Dance Dance pa More!!!

3. What is First Aid?
 First aid is the first and immediate
assistance given to any person
suffering from either a minor or
serious illness or injury, with care
provided to preserve life, prevent the
condition from worsening, or to
promote recovery.

4. What is Dance?
* Dance is defined as a conscious effort
to create visual designs in space by
continuously moving the body
through a series of pose and pattern
tracings. The movements must also
be in sync to a particular rhythm.

5. 3 Basic Dance Genres:
1. Classical Ballet – characterized by the
turnout of the hip, rising up on the toes,
elevation, beats, turns and toe dancing.

8. Dance Genres Cont.
2. Modern Dance – characterized by
barefoot dancing, asymmetry and
personal choreographic or dance
styles.

11. Dance Genres Cont.
3. Folk Dance (including Jazz and Hip
Hop) – characterized by folk rhythms
and traditional dance steps from a
particular area or ethnic origin.

14. What Defines A Dancers Body?
 The professional dancer’s ideal body is
typically identified by the following:
 Loose joints
 Turnout of the leg
 Slight knee hyperextension
 Adequate flexion of the ankle and foot
 Foot shape (“winged” foot)

15. How are Dance related injuries
evaluated?
The age, sex and number of hours
spent practicing all play a role in
determining proper treatment to heal
or prevent the recurrence of an injury.
The following additional information
will also need to be asked by your
specialist to ensure proper diagnosis,
evaluation and treatment.

16. 1. Date of injury
2. Mechanism; how did it occur
3. Pop or snap heard at the time of injury
4. Swelling or discoloration
5. Pain; it’s nature, location, what makes it
worse
6. Nerve symptoms; any numbness or
tingling
7. Proper footwear; pointe shoes, dance
shoes
8. Dance surface; hardwood, concrete

17. Most Common Dance Related
Injuries
1. Foot/Ankle
2. Knee
3. Lower Back
4. Bone Fracture
5. Head Injury

18. Foot/Ankle

23. KNEE

27. Lower Back

28. Cold Compress

29. Hot Compress

30. Bone Fracture

33. Head Injury

36. Cold Packs?????
Why Cold Packs/
Compress?

37.  It can reduce???
 Swelling/ Pamamaga
 Relieve pain

38. Common Areas of Injury
 Spine – Alignment is important; often
dancers try to over compensate for
poor turnout by arching their backs to
further rotate their hips. This
produces a swayback which places
stress on the lower back. Spine
injuries are mostly due to POOR
ALIGNMENT.

39. Common Areas of Injury cont.
 Hip – Tendonitis (inflammation of
tendon and muscle) may occur due to
extreme turnout, unnatural positions
such as the splits, etc. Stress
fractures (small cracks) may also
occur.

40. Common Areas of Injury cont.
 Knee – Forcing turnout places strain
on cartilage, ligaments and capsules
of the knee. Partial or full tears of
muscles or ligaments around the knee
may often occur when dancers are
improperly trained or dancing beyond
what their body can handle.

41. Common Areas of Injury cont.
 Feet/Ankles – The feet and ankles
are the most frequently injured among
dancers. Sprains, breaks and
tendonitis can happen to the foot
and/or ankle areas due to the daily
stress placed on the area.

42. Environmental Factors That
Affect Injuries
 Floors/Dancing Surface – too
hard or soft
 Rehearsal Environment – too hot
or cold, adequate space, etc.
 Excessive Rehearsal – fatigue,
poor diet and stress

43. General Suggestions To Prevent
Dance Related Injuries
1. Warm-up properly every time. Cold muscles are
more prone to injury.
2. Drink plenty of water.
3. Respect your body’s limits.
4. Wear properly fitted shoes and dance attire.
5. Perform regular strengthening exercises.
6. Check with your teacher to insure you are
holding correct form and executing moves
correctly.
7. Cool down after a dance session.

44. What To Do If You Injure
Yourself
 Stop as soon as you fell pain or hear a
“pop” sound.
 Treat all soft tissue injuries (bruises,
sprains, etc.) with rest, ice, compression
and elevation. This is also known as the
R.I.C.E. method.
 Seek advice from a doctor immediately.
 Don’t resume physical activity until you are
fully healed.

45. THE END