Occupational Musculoskeletal Disorders in Dancers

Abstract

Professional dancers are a medically under-served occupational group at high risk for work-related musculoskeletal disorders. Historically, a sports medicine approach has been used in the treatment of dancers and dance companies. Recently, health care providers have also applied occupational medicine concepts to the dance organisation. Consideration of risk factors and the application of organisational programmes to prevent work-related musculoskeletal disorders in dancers are discussed. Deficiencies in our understanding of the contribution of risk factors towards injury are outlined for future consideration. The majority of dance organisations are non-profit and have no injury prevention strategies in place, viewing medical programmes as an unaffordable luxury. The application of a customised sports-occupational medicine approach shows promise in reducing the human and financial costs of work-related musculoskeletal disorders.