PERFORMANCE ARTS CHIROPRACTIC CARE
Performing artists push their bodies to the limit in unique and often misunderstood ways. At Pinnacle Hill Chiropractic, Dr. James Walters combines over 15 years of professional dance experience with advanced chiropractic expertise to deliver specialized care for performing artists.
Understanding the unique physical demands of performance, we offer tailored treatments that address the specific challenges faced by dancers, singers, musicians, and gymnasts. Whether you’re on stage, in rehearsal, or training behind the scenes, we offer evidence-based, performance-informed chiropractic care to help you feel—and perform—at your best.
Why Performing Artists Need Specialized Chiropractic Care
Most healthcare providers treat “normal” movement patterns—we understand artistic movement is anything but normal. It’s stylized, repetitive, and often places the body in extreme positions. Performance art demands extraordinary physical capabilities that traditional healthcare often misunderstands.
As a former performer, Dr. James understands the biomechanical nuances of each discipline and works to address the unique physical stressors that come with your art form such as:
- Extreme Range of Motion required in dance and gymnastics
- Repetitive Movement Patterns that create unique wear patterns
- Specialized Biomechanics of instrumental performance
- Vocal Production Mechanics affecting the entire body
Benefits of Chiropractic Care for Performing Artists
- Pain Reduction and Injury Prevention tailored to your art form
- Enhanced Range of Motion for technical advancement
- Improved Performance Mechanics for better artistic expression
- Balanced Strength and Flexibility specific to your discipline
- Reduced Muscular Tension and Imbalances for sustainable practice
- Extended Career Longevity through preventative care
Prevention-Focused Care
Routine chiropractic visits help performing artists avoid injuries before they start. Our proactive approach supports rigorous rehearsal and performance schedules while avoiding career-threatening injuries.
Performance-Related Conditions We Treat
For Dancers and Gymnasts
- Ankle Sprains and Impingement Syndromes
- Os Trigonum Syndrome
- Plantar Fasciitis and Trigger Toe
- Pointe Readiness Evaluations
- Snapping Hip Syndrome and IT Band Tension
- Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (Runner’s Knee) and Femoroacetabular Impingement
- Meralgia Paresthetica
For Vocalists and Singers
- Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction (TMD)
- Tension from Belting and Open Vowel Techniques
- Anterior Neck and Throat Tension
- Vocal Tract Restriction
For Musicians and Instrumentalists
- Pseudo-C6 Syndrome
- Thoracic Outlet Syndrome
- Wrist Pain and Hand Numbness
- Tennis Elbow and Golfer’s Elbow
- Nerve Compression Syndromes
- Posture-Related Disorders
Performing Artists That Can Benefit from Chiropractic Care
- Dancers of all styles and levels
- Competitive and recreational gymnasts
- Vocalists and singers
- Instrumental musicians (woodwind, brass, strings, percussion, keyboard)
- Performing arts students and conservatory trainees
- Touring performers and stage artists
Our Treatment Approach
Assessment
Your care begins with a detailed history, physical exam, and movement analysis tailored to your specific art form, evaluating how your discipline impacts your body mechanics and identifying root causes of pain or dysfunction.
Treatment
Each care plan is customized to your specific needs and may include targeted manual therapy, chiropractic adjustments, rehabilitation exercises, and strategies for integrating care into your practice schedule.
Techniques and Modalities Used
- Chiropractic Adjustments (spine and extremities)
- Myofascial and Soft Tissue Therapy
- Functional Rehabilitation Exercises
- Movement Pattern Correction
- Neuromuscular Re-education
- TMD-Specific Protocols (for vocalists and singers)
Meet Our Performing Arts–Focused Chiropractor
Dr. James Walters
Dr. James Walters has dedicated his chiropractic practice to supporting Rochester’s vibrant performing arts community through evidence-based, performance-informed care so artists can thrive physically and artistically. As both a former professional dancer and an experienced chiropractor, he deeply understands the biomechanics, artistic demands, and emotional investment behind every performance.
Trusted Partner to Rochester’s Premier Arts Organizations
Dr. James doesn’t just treat injuries—he actively works to prevent them through educational presentations and workshops tailored to each organization’s specific needs. His dual background as both performer and healthcare provider allows him to speak the language of artists while delivering evidence-based care strategies.
Dr. James works closely with local performing arts institutions to provide specialized care, education, and injury prevention programs for their students and performers:
Dance Studios
Roc Dance – Combines his roles as both former faculty (ballet and tap instructor) and current healthcare provider to offer specialized care for this competitive dance studio’s performers. His insider perspective allows him to support dancers through the physical demands of high-level training.
Draper Center – Provides customized educational presentations on injury prevention and safe body mechanics for ballet dancers, helping students pursue technical excellence while protecting their long-term health.
Studio East Dance Company – Offers performance-focused workshops and presentations that teach dancers how to prevent injuries, optimize movement patterns, and sustain their artistry over time
Higher Education Programs
Nazareth University – Serves as the go-to chiropractor for students in both the Music Theater and Dance departments, providing ongoing care that supports the physical intensity of pre-professional training programs.
Penfield Players – Provides performance-informed chiropractic care to actors and production staff during show seasons—understanding the unique physical demands of theatrical performance and the time-sensitive nature of show schedules.
We’re proud to be the trusted healthcare partner for Rochester’s most prestigious performing arts institutions, supporting the next generation of artists as they pursue their dreams safely and sustainably.
Schedule Your Appointment Today
Get the specialized support your art—and your body—deserve.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions About Chiropractic Care for Performing Artists
For additional information, please refer to our Patient Information page.