By Megan Cornish, Myotherapist With breakdancings recent debut in the olympics, and the current trending entry from Australia in the 2024 Paris Olympics (I think we know which one I’m referencing), I can’t think of a better time to talk about just how physically demanding this sport truly is and the level of skill required to not only execute this style of dance well, but to not injure yourself while you do it! So why is breakdancing an olympic sport now? Can’t anyone just hit the floor and bust out a move? Well no - although breakdancing has a creative and improvisational nature it also encompasses a wide range of technique and skill when it comes to control, balance, strength and flexibility just to name a few. Even if we analyse common breakdancing moves like freezes, flips and headspins we can clearly see the physical load on the dancer's body, in particular their upper body and joints such as their neck, shoulders and wrists. Which brings me to the essence of this blog which is discussing common injuries break dancers may experience and the ways in which Myotherapy can assist in the recovery process.
Given that this style involves a lot of floor work that requires quick shifts of weight and load transfer through the upper body the chances of sustaining an overuse injury or impact injury (from a possible awkward landing here and there) are pretty high, with the most common affected body part being the wrist. Some symptoms of a wrist repetitive strain injury can include one or more of the following:
Some other regions specific to breakdance that pain can potentially arise in are neck/ spine, shoulders, elbows and knees which is not a surprise when you look at the crazy moves these dancers are pulling off so effortlessly! Now that we have identified some common areas and physical conditions a dancer of this style may experience at some point in their dance life, let's talk a bit about Myotherapy and its place in supporting breakdancers in their craft. Myotherapy is a form of physical therapy using manual techniques to influence and treat soft tissue such as muscle, ligaments, tendons and support overall joint health and function. As myotherapists we are qualified and experienced in the treatment of a wide range of musculoskeletal conditions/ injuries and are also able to assist in their rehabilitation management and recovery. We work with a variety of different people from all walks of life which includes anyone from more of a sedentary lifestyle to high level performing athletes Who am I? I am a certified Myotherapist and Dancer of over a decade of experience. I have assisted dancers of a range of different styles with a variety of different injuries and musculoskeletal conditions to help my fellow dancers get back to doing what they love quickly. If you break dance professionally, if you like to bust a move in the privacy of your own home or anything in between, and if Myotherapy sounds like something you might need .. pop and lock your way into Simple Wellness Myotherapy today or give us a call on (03) 8204 0970! We can’t wait to see you! You'll find us at Shop 12B/150 Kelletts Rd, Rowville VIC 3178. |
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