The Healthy Dancer Program in Hamilton, Ontario
While dancers are athletes, they have a distinct set of physical demands that set them apart from other athletes.
The balance of flexibility and strength, the repetitive and highly specific movement patterns, and the artistic nature of the art form all require a practitioner who understands not just the injury, but what it means to be away from the studio.
The Healthy Dancer Program at Integration Health brings together osteopathy, physiotherapy, and direct clinical experience with dance to support dancers through injury, rehabilitation, and return to performance.
Treatment for a Dancer, By a Dancer
The Healthy Dancer Program is led by Laura Kappel, Osteopathic Manual Practitioner, who brings her background as a dancer, choreographer, and teacher directly into her clinical practice.
Laura's understanding of the art form shapes how she assesses, treats, and communicates with her patients and with the parents, teachers, and coaches involved in their recovery.
The goal of the Healthy Dancer Program is to help dancers return to class or performance safely, efficiently, and with strategies that reduce the risk of re-injury. This includes:
Rapid and thorough assessment and treatment of dance-related injuries
Strategies for improving warm-up, conditioning, and stretching routines
Ongoing education to support re-integration into training
Coordination with dance teachers, physicians, coaches, and parents as needed to ensure a smooth and appropriate return to activity
Why Dancers Choose Treatment at Integration Health
Safe Recovery and Injury Prevention
Our priority is a young dancer's quick, safe return to the activity they love. We provide thorough assessment and treatment of dance-related injuries alongside education to support re-integration and help prevent re-injury.
Multidisciplinary Rehabilitation Team
Laura Kappel and our collaborative Integration Health team work together to address not only the injury itself, but the health and well-being of the whole young athlete.
Access to Additional Resources
We can work closely with trusted instructors, coaches, and psychotherapists, and are happy to facilitate referrals and communicate with physicians to ensure that return to activity is appropriate and safe.
Our Healthy Dancer Program Leader
Book Rehabilitation for Dancers in Hamilton
Integration Health has been serving Downtown Hamilton, Hamilton Mountain and the surrounding communities for over 65 years.
The stage will be there when you’re ready. Let’s get you back to it..