With over 15 years of professional experience under his belt Dr. James has made it his mission to provide quality chiropractic care for performing artists in Rochester. He is committed to providing artists with evidence based care that is specific to the performing artist’s needs while taking into account the unique nature of their art form.

Performing artists are an often misunderstood patient population by the vast majority of healthcare providers. This is due to the incredibly diverse and unique nature of the performing arts. Whether dancing, singing, tumbling or playing an instrument, performing artists have very particular needs in order to perform at their personal best. They therefore require a healthcare provider who understands their craft and the needs of that craft.

By incorporating soft tissue therapies, chiropractic care and rehabilitation exercises that target the biomechanical needs of performers, Dr. James works with his patients to help them achieve their best performance.

DANCERS

Dance is an incredibly diverse field of performing art featuring numerous different techniques and styles. Each of which comes with its own approach to movement mechanics and none of which are similar to “normal” mechanics. The way dancer’s move their bodies is, on a fundamental level, different from the way bodies are built to move. This is the first and most critical concept to understanding dance mechanics. It is also where most healthcare providers fail to successfully treat dancers. This is because we can’t use the same rehab exercises to treat dance injuries as you would any other athlete. Everything about treatment must be built around the very specific ways in which a dancer holds and moves their body. That all starts with turnout. This simple change in how the body is positioned changes everything about how dance injuries must be approached. 

GYMNASTS

Similar to dancers, gymnasts approach movement far differently than other athletes. The result, like with dancers, is that gymnasts experience injuries that look similar to common injuries, but they happen to affect the body differently. Combine this with the high impact nature of gymnastics, a need for a provider who understands and has experience working with gymnasts is obvious. The balance between flexibility and strength here is critical, as is an understanding of how gymnastic maneuvers are executed. 

SINGERS

Singers are an often overlooked population when it comes to performing artists and physical medicine. This may be because singing is not as obviously athletic as other art forms. The reality is that singing requires a lot of strength and flexibility in the chest, neck and jaw regions. Often singers who have trouble with relaxation while singing or struggle to hit notes on the upper or lower end of their range are experiencing muscular imbalances in one or multiple areas. Additionally, many singers experience jaw tension while singing. This happens most often during open vowel jaw postures and when belting. Tension along the vocal tract, due to tightness in the deep neck muscles along the front of the neck, can also make it difficult for vocal folds to relax while singing. 

MUSICIANS

Instruments come in all shapes and sizes and can affect musicians bodies in a variety of ways. Whether it’s woodwind, brass, keyboard or percussion, musicians have one thing in common when it comes to injuries: it’s all about the extremities! Mobility and dexterity of the hands and fingers are critical for musicians. But shoulder and elbow mobility is just as vital. Finding a provider who has a strong understanding of extremities and how musicians approach each instrument is key to quality care and support.

Meet Our Performing Artist Chiropractor

Conditions We Treat

Frequently Asked Questions About Chiropractic Care for Performing Artists