The Brown Suite is a dance production set in the 1970s, telling soulful, show-based stories through the music of James Brown, Etta James and Sam Cooke. I had the privilege of working with its eight dancers, including the two choreographers, Nahum McLean and Darius Drooh, providing preventative treatment ahead of their UK tour (which is an absolute MUST-SEE!).
Over four weeks, I watched rehearsals and created an individualised plan for each dancer based on the specific demands of the choreography. It was an amazing experience, and I came away having learnt a lot. Here are my top five takeaways as a physiotherapist.
1. Preventative treatment beats reactive treatment
Many of the dancers had previous injuries, but none had anything acute. That gave us the chance to look at each dancer as a whole and build a plan to take on tour, with the goal of helping them perform at their best, injury free.
For many of them this was a new way of thinking. They’d spent their whole lives in a world of “keep dancing through the pain”. By the end of our time together, they had a completely new perspective on what preventative physiotherapy can do.
2. Physiotherapy is about the person, not just the treatment
A lot of hours go into rehearsals, and tiredness and stress can quickly turn into increased tension. Seeing the dancers three times a week meant we had time to talk through how to manage the load and demand on their bodies from a biopsychosocial perspective, looking at the person as a whole.
This is so important for dancers to understand. Being able to regulate your nervous system doesn’t just help you feel better, it can help you perform even better and reduce your risk of injury. Sleep, stress, mood and recovery all play their part, and they deserve just as much attention as the hands-on work.
3. Everybody and every role is different
Eight dancers meant eight different bodies, injury histories and physical demands. Two people can perform the same choreography and need completely different plans. Tailoring strength, mobility and recovery work to each dancer, rather than handing out a generic routine, made the plans far more effective and far easier for them to stick to. It was a great reminder that the best advice is always personal.
4. You have to see the work to understand the demands
Watching rehearsals was incredible. Seeing the lifts, the floorwork, the changes of pace and the repeated positions first-hand showed me exactly where the body was being challenged, something you simply can’t get from a clinic room alone. The same applies to all of us. Whether your “stage” is a desk, a running track or a building site, understanding what you actually do day to day shapes the best advice.
5. Education is what makes change stick
The best plan in the world only works if you understand why you’re doing it. Taking the time to explain the “why” behind each exercise and strategy gave the dancers confidence and a sense of ownership over their own bodies. That’s what moved them from reacting to pain to looking after themselves proactively, and it’s a habit that will hopefully go with them long after the tour ends.