The Hidden Struggles of Dance Injuries: What Dancers Really Think

Dancers are often seen as graceful and resilient, but behind the perfect pirouettes and leaps lies a reality many of us don’t see—injuries. They’re not just about physical pain; they affect mental health, confidence, and even a dancer’s sense of identity.

So, what do dancers really think about injuries? I looked at three fascinating studies that give us insight into the perspectives of adolescent ballet dancers and professional performers. Let’s explore the shared struggles, unique challenges, and what we can do to better support dancers.

What Dancers Say About Injuries

It's Not Just Physical:

Injuries don’t just stop dancers from moving—they impact everything. A study on adolescent ballet dancers titled Perspectives and Experiences of Dance-Related Injuries found that injuries disrupt not only training but daily life, leaving dancers frustrated and disconnected from their peers. For young dancers, not being able to train often feels like losing a part of their identity.

Professional dancers echoed this in Bolling et al.’s study In Your Shoes, describing injuries as emotionally draining and isolating. Many said they feared the stigma of being labelled as “injury-prone” or unreliable, which often stopped them from speaking up. Instead, they pushed through pain to avoid losing roles or opportunities, as highlighted in Vassallo et al.’s findings Injury Fear, Stigma, and Reporting.

Image sourced from Wix

Pain is Normal - Or is it?

Here’s the thing: many dancers accept pain as part of the job. Adolescent dancers in spoke about overuse injuries, poor technique, and lack of rest, but they didn’t always take steps to prevent them. Why? Sometimes it’s pressure to keep dancing; other times, it’s simply not knowing what to do.

This mindset is common among professionals too. Bolling et al. described how dancers often see pain as a spectrum—something to manage rather than stop for. But this “no pain, no gain” culture can lead to long-term issues, with dancers continuing to perform while injured.

The Support Gap:

Dancers across all levels highlighted a common need: better support. Adolescents wanted more education from teachers and health professionals about preventing injuries and returning to dance safely.

Professional dancers emphasised the importance of collaboration between artistic staff, choreographers, and healthcare providers. They stressed the need for dance-specific care from professionals who understand the unique demands of the art form—a sentiment also reflected in Vassallo et al.’s findings on the barriers dancers face in accessing consistent, informed healthcare.

What Can We Learn from These Studies?

Comparing the perspectives of adolescent and professional dancers reveals shared challenges but also some important differences:

• Young dancers often struggle with knowledge gaps and need guidance to balance training and recovery.

• Professionals face systemic issues like stigma, lack of access to healthcare, and demanding schedules that limit their ability to rest or recover.

  
  

But there’s a silver lining: these challenges give us clear opportunities to improve.

Why This Matters

If you’re a dancer, teacher, or healthcare provider, here’s what we need to remember:

1. Injury is not failure. Creating a culture where dancers feel safe reporting injuries is crucial for their long-term health.

2. Prevention starts early. Educating young dancers about injury risks, rest, and recovery helps set them up for a sustainable career.

3. Teamwork is key. Recovery and injury prevention work best when dancers, teachers, and health professionals collaborate.

4. Dance-specific care makes a difference. Access to health professionals who understand the unique demands of dance is vital.

Injury doesn’t have to mean the end of a dancer’s journey. With the right support, they can recover, grow, and continue to perform beautifully.

Let’s work together to reframe how we view and manage injuries in dance—because every dancer deserves to move with confidence and joy.

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References:

Bolling, C., van Rijn, R. M., Pasman, H. R., van Mechelen, W., & Stubbe, J. H. (2021). In your shoes: A qualitative study on the perspectives of professional dancers and staff regarding dance injury and its prevention. Translational Sports Medicine, 4(3), 386–394. https://doi.org/10.1002/tsm2.226 

Cheers, N., Matheson, M., Skinner, I., & Wells, C. (2024). Perspectives and Experiences of Dance-Related Injuries: A Qualitative Survey of Adolescent Pre-Professional Ballet Dancers in Australia. Journal of dance medicine & science : official publication of the International Association for Dance Medicine & Science, 28(2), 90–108. https://doi.org/10.1177/1089313X231224011 

Vassallo, A. J., Pappas, E., Stamatakis, E., & Hiller, C. E. (2019). Injury Fear, Stigma, and Reporting in Professional Dancers. Safety and health at work, 10(3), 260–264.