Dance medicine is a sub-category of Sports Medicine and involves the direct treatment of dancers and performing artists. This particular population presents with a unique set of needs that need to be addressed by qualified practitioners. Our dance medicine specialists have extensive knowledge of the demands required of dancers and are able to appropriately diagnose injuries as well as provide the most appropriate care. Cynergy’s skilled Dance Medicine clinicians will aid you in achieving optimal performance and help guide you during your recovery back to the stage or classroom.
Patellofemoral dysfunction is pain at the front of your knee, around your kneecap (patella). Sometimes called “runner’s knee,” it’s more common in people who participate in sports that involve running and jumping. The knee pain often increases when you run, walk up or downstairs, sit for long periods, or squat. Simple treatments such as rest and ice often help, but sometimes physical therapy is needed to ease patellofemoral pain.
Patellofemoral dysfunction can stem from any of the following:
Your physical therapist will work with you to maintain your strength and flexibility as well as optimize your movements with jumping, running, and pivoting, all geared to help keep the patella tracking properly in its groove.
Tendinopathy is a general term used to describe conditions surrounding the overuse of tendons. More specifically, tendinosis is a degeneration of the collagen fibers within the tendon and tendonitis is the overall inflammation of the tendon. Common areas for dancers to experience tendinopathy are the heel, or Achilles, peroneals in the outer ankle, the posterior tibialis in the inner ankle and foot, and the rotator cuff and biceps tendon in the shoulder. Symptoms of tendinosis or tendinitis include local pain and tenderness, pain that radiates above or below the injured area, inflammation, and weakness of the muscle. Physical therapy can help via manual techniques including soft tissue release, stretching, and mobility exercises to restore range of motion, strengthening of the affected muscles and tendons, as well as functional training to restore and improve your dance technique.
Let’s get you back to doing what you love—with confidence and strength.
📞 Call us at 212- 255-8080, 212-980-2963, or 212-292-7117
Laurence Agénor, PT, DPT, CSCS specializes in performance, dance medicine, and Pilates. As a dancer, she has a unique understanding of the dancer’s body and what it means to perform at an optimal level. Her holistic treatment approach blends her background as a dancer and movement specialist with her clinical expertise. She enjoys working with dancers of all ages, levels, and backgrounds and believes in empowering her clients with the knowledge and skills they need to propel their performance forward.
Born and raised in Salt Lake City, Utah, Lindsay Ryan discovered her passion for movement at a young age. She built momentum as a dancer from the age of three and has continued to challenge her body’s limitations since then. While in New York, she has appeared in dance films, teaches various dance styles, and is currently a commercial and entertainment performer.
Lindsay is dedicated to enhancing the quality of movement for her patients and is excited to showcase the transformative potential of rehabilitation at Cynergy.
Kevin is a highly experienced dance physical therapist with over a decade of hands-on dance training and performance experience. Specializing in injury prevention and rehabilitation for dancers, he combines expert clinical care with a deep understanding of movement styles like hip hop, urban choreography, street jazz, and house.
He’s performed professionally—including on the BTS “Love Yourself” tour—and competed across the tri-state area, which gives him a unique edge when it comes to treating dancers. Kevin stays connected to the dance world by regularly taking class and choreographing, keeping his skills—and perspective—fresh.
His approach to physical therapy for dancers is rooted in whole-body wellness and tailored specifically to the demands of dance. Whether you’re dealing with a dance-related injury, recovering from a performance, or just looking to move better and feel stronger, Kevin provides personalized care that helps dancers stay at their best.
Zoë was first introduced to ballet at the age of 3 when her mom took her to Butler Ballet’s The Nutcracker and she danced along in the opera box. She started dancing soon after and fell in love with it. She was able to perform in Butler Ballet’s Nutcracker herself from 2005-2008. Zoë continued her pre-professional dance career at the Jordan Academy of Dance and then at the Indianapolis School of Ballet. Along with ballet she also loved tap, modern, and jazz classes. Zoë was able to attend summer intensive programs at Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet, Miami City Ballet, Boston Ballet, and Carolina Ballet. During a performance, she injured her foot which required surgery and PT. This then sparked her interest in PT and she learned how specific exercises for ballet were essential to getting a dancer back en pointe. Her therapist was a former professional dancer and this inspired her to become a PT herself.
She continued dancing in college with Boston University’s Dance Theater Group performing in several pieces through grad school and even choreographing two ballet pieces. Zoë still takes ballet and dance classes when she can and is always open to learning new types of dance!
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