Before I dive into explaining why more appointments just create more confusion, I want to take a moment to re-introduce myself and share exactly why I created the Thriving Dancers World Newsletter.
This is for dance moms of serious dancers who are tired of chasing scattered opinions, are done accepting injuries, pain, and burnout as “normal,” and who want a clearer way to make health and training decisions.
I've been a dance mom for over 13 years. I am also a doctoral student in Integrative Health, an integrative and holistic health educator, and a passionate advocate for dancers' wellness.
Over the years, my dancer has dealt with an injury, an undiagnosed condition, and burnout.
Watching her struggle, bouncing from studio to studio, from specialist to specialist, and from one so-called "solution" to the next, I saw a major gap between what our dancers need and what information dance moms are given.
I only knew how to help my dancer the right way because I spent a lot of time researching, asking the wrong questions, learning how to advocate effectively, and using every bit of my medical and holistic training to sort through the noise.
Now, as I work with dance moms of injured and burned-out dancers, I see how the internet and even medical providers can unintentionally dismiss crucial parts of a dancer's story.
And most importantly, I see how that leads to more confusion, more bills, and more pressure on the moms to know the right answers; and more pain, anxiety, frustration, and time spent away from training for the dancers.
I can't reach every dance mom yet, but my hope is that the information I can provide in this free bi-weekly newsletter, which you don't have to chase, beg, or translate, can help you feel in control again and bring hope to a confusing, stagnant situation.
So let's talk about those appointments.
It will not come as a surprise that most dance moms don't lack effort; they lack aligned answers.
You can run yourself out of time and out of patience, seeing every specialist in town and still not feel confident about what to do next with your dancer's pain, burnout, or performance questions.
The problem usually stems from collecting scattered opinions instead of building a coherent plan.
Often, general and even specialist providers miss the highly specific demands placed on serious dancers, unique injuries that plague dancers with certain underlying (undiagnosed) conditions, and the mental health component of those injuries.
What you truly need isn't just more 'information,' but 'integration.'
What I mean by that is understanding how all the pieces of your dancer's physical and mental health, as well as their training, fit together, and how to apply appropriate advice to produce results.
In my years as a dance mom and an integrative health educator, I recognized that it is essential to begin with these three steps:
First, you need to know what information you need to share with your provider.
Next, you need to know what questions to ask your provider.
Last, you need to understand how to integrate all of these into a cohesive plan for your dancer that will actually produce sustainable results.
Often, to achieve that last step, you'll need help from a values-aligned professional who can connect those dots for you.
And next time you're looking for guidance, try using this simple filter:
- Does this provider understand dance, my child, and our values?
- Do they actually listen when I give information, or do they dismiss it (giving me a diagnosis and prognosis before they even hear the end of the story)?
- After the visit, do I walk away feeling like my dancer's concerns have been heard and understood, or do we collectively feel more confused?
Do This Week:
- Write down the top 3 questions you keep asking about your dancer's health/schedule/training/mindset.
- Note who you've been asking for those answers (Google, AI, studio teachers, doctors, PT, etc.).
- Based on the tips in this newsletter issue, see if you can rewrite your original top 3 questions that can guide you to your next step.
And if you're realizing that...
...you've been collecting opinions instead of a plan, you're welcome to send me a DM on Instagram or email me and share those top 3 questions. I'll review them and give you my thoughts on what your next step could be.
