Whether you’re a passionate dancer, a performer, or a dance mum, understanding the difference between a general musculoskeletal physiotherapist and a dance physiotherapist can make all the difference in your recovery and performance journey.

So… what exactly sets them apart—and how do you know which one is right for you?

Let’s break it down simply and practically.

Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy: The Foundation of Rehab

Musculoskeletal (MSK) and Sports physiotherapy is the most well-known branch of physio. These therapists are trained to assess and treat injuries and conditions affecting your:

• Muscles
• Joints
• Ligaments
• Tendons
• Posture and general movement

Typical conditions MSK physios treat include:

• Back, spinal or neck pain
• Shoulder and hip issues
• Ankle sprains
• Post-surgical rehabilitation
• Muscle tears and tendonitis

They are university-qualified and use hands-on treatment, exercise prescription, education, and biomechanical analysis to reduce pain and restore movement.

Dance & Performing Arts Physiotherapy: A Specialised Approach for Movers

Dance Physiotherapy is a highly niche and expert field within physiotherapy. While it builds upon musculoskeletal training, it goes deeper—focusing on the unique physical, mental, and artistic demands placed on dancers and performers.

As a former dancer, turned cecchetti dance teacher turned dance physio having trained under one of Australia’s most recognised dance physios (Lisa Howell from The ballet blog), I combine my lived experience and postgraduate dance rehab training to offer:

• Injury prevention for dancers
• Pointe readiness & pre-pointe assessments
• Flexibility coaching with anatomical safety
• Technique enhancement (turnout, extensions, arabesque height)
• Rehab for performance-based injuries (hip impingement, stress fractures, overuse syndromes)
• Return-to-dance programs post-injury or postpartum
• Tertiary Dance Assessments for professional companies and university applications
• Dance Injury management including foot, ankle, hip, and back injuries
• Dance workshops for students and teachers (pre-pointe, turnout, flexibility)

At Femme Physiotherapy & Wellness, we respect the intricacies and challenges that come with pushing your body to the extreme. Our physiotherapists won’t just tell you to “take a break.” We understand performance calendars, exam seasons, and the deep commitment dancers have to their craft. Our goal is to help dancers prevent injury, stay in class, and reach their full potential—both now and beyond their dance careers.

Dance physio also considers how mindset, energy systems and emotional resilience influence movement. It’s not just about recovery—it’s about optimising artistry and performance.

So, Who Should You See?

✅ Book a Musculoskeletal Physio if you’re experiencing:

• General pain or injury (sports, work, everyday life)
• You want to get back to basic movement or daily function

✅ Book a Dance Physiotherapist if you are:

• A dancer, gymnast, cheerleader, or performing artist
• Wanting to improve turnout, flexibility or extensions safely
• Struggling with overuse injuries, hypermobility, or burnout
• Preparing for a dance exam, audition, or return to stage
• Needing rehab that considers choreography, aesthetics & stage demands

The Femme Physio Difference 💃

At Femme Physiotherapy & Wellness, you can access both musculoskeletal and dance-specific physiotherapy under one roof—delivered by someone who speaks the language of dancers and understands both the science and the art.

Whether you’re healing, growing, or preparing for performance, you’ll receive tailored, evidence-based support with a deep respect for your craft.

👉 Ready to book your next appointment or pre-pointe assessment? Click here to book online: https://femmephysiotherapyandwellness.com.au/book-online