Injury Treatment & Prevention Services

Performing artists often subject their bodies to rigorous physical demands, pushing the limits of flexibility, strength, and endurance. Physical medicine and rehabilitation (PM&R) specialists play a crucial role in supporting these artists throughout their careers. PM&R specialists can design tailored exercise programs to enhance muscle strength, address imbalances, and prevent injuries. In cases of injury, rehabilitation focuses on targeted exercises and non-invasive therapies to expedite recovery and restore optimal function. By integrating physical therapy, personalized rehabilitation plans, and preventive care, performing artists can sustain their artistic pursuits with longevity and resilience.  

The Department of Rehabilitation and Regenerative Medicine at Columbia consists of physicians and physical and occupational therapists who are experts in treating acute and chronic muscle, tendon, bone, and joint injuries non-operatively. Several of our doctors and physical therapists are former performers themselves and, therefore, have first-hand knowledge of the physical and emotional demands of an artist’s livelihood being dependent on their body functioning at an optimal level. Our goal is to help performers heal injuries while still participating in their craft as much as possible. Christine Townsend, MD, leads this service line and is a highly regarded expert in the field of dance and performing arts medicine.

Our physicians utilize many different non-operative procedures for the treatment of muscle, tendon, joint, and bone injuries, including: 

• Ultrasound-guided injections  
• Shockwave therapy 
• Platelet-rich plasma injections 
• Prolotherapy injections 

If surgery is required, we have a team of orthopedic experts who are able to perform whatever intervention is needed to help return the performer to full function. This includes surgical treatments for the spine, shoulder, elbow, wrist/hand, hip, knee or foot, and ankle. Columbia Orthopedics is ranked among the very best in the nation, and many of our orthopedic surgeons specialize in treating both athletes and performing artists. Our top priority is getting the performer back to their activity as quickly and as safely as possible. Christopher Ahmad, MD, and Bonnie Chien, MD, lead our orthopedic services for performing artists.

Many performers will benefit from physical or occupational therapy to help with their recovery after an injury. At Columbia University Irving Medical Center, we have a robust team of physical therapists with expertise in performing arts medicine. Additionally, we have a team of occupational therapists who can help with any upper extremity condition affecting a performing artist. Their goal is to treat the artist holistically, to assess and improve any biomechanical concerns, and to fully rehabilitate the injury to help return the performer to their artistic practice.