DANCE ASSESSMENTS
The Dance Assessment at Total Care Podiatry is designed to help prevent injuries and solve any issues which may be limiting your success in reaching your dance goals.
With her in depth knowledge of structure and function of the foot, our Podiatrist Esther Francavilla ensures she creates the best possible plan for each dancers’ individual needs.
Esther started classical ballet at 5 years of age in Melbourne. She learned the methods of Vaganova, Borovansky and R.A.D. She also learnt other styles such as contemporary, jazz and character to name a few. Esther went on to study for one year at the Victorian College of the Arts. During this time Esther wanted to further her studies and realised how important feet are to dancers! This is what inspired her to study Podiatry.
Since graduating, Esther has combined her passion for podiatry with her knowledge of dance to help young dancers achieve their goals. She prides herself on teaching dancers correct technique to help enhance their capabilities and reduce the risk of injuries.
The Dance Assessment of Foot Function has three steps to success:
1. A thorough Initial consultation to assess and address the dancer’s needs.
2. A tailored treatment plan, that combines the condition, treatment, and prevention as well as educating the dancer along the way.
3. A review plan depending on progress.
Conditions this service treats
• Prevention of injuries
• Understanding the individual’s dancing mindset
• Treating dance injury in accordance with the dancer’s goals
• Ensure the dancer is informed and understands the process so that not only current issues are taken care of, but future injuries will be prevented
How does the treatment work?
Initial assessments can help determine a dancer’s structure as well as current mobility and strength.
Each dancer is different and therefore will be provided with unique feedback and tips to help achieve their goals.
Depending on the style of dance, Esther will customise full injury and rehabilitation programs as part of the return to dance and injury prevention.
What are the benefits of this treatment
There are many contributors to dance injury, including poor technique anatomical anomalies, footwear, and surfaces. Our personalised treatment goals will benefit with assisting in preventing these injuries and provide you with tips and tricks to prevent them from occurring in the future.
Pre-Pointe Assessment
A specific pre-pointe assessment is recommended before a dancer progresses to pointe work.
The screening will help develop an awareness about correct and incorrect positions which will help the dancer on her pathway to going en pointe.
During a pre-pointe assessment, Esther will take the following into consideration
- Basic Ballet Technique
- Foot, ankle and leg strength
- Joint range
- Posture and core control
- Anatomical structure of the foot and compensations
- Growth and maturity
Once a pre-pointe dancer can correctly perform the assessments, she is strong enough to commence pointe work with the guidance of her ballet teacher.
The follow up review helps the dancer improve her strength and mobility for pointe work.
A review every six months is recommended if there are no concerns along the way.