Pre Pointe Assessment

Pre-pointe and Pointe Readiness with Performance Medicine

– Let us ensure you’re Pointe ready!

We love working with you and your dance teacher to ensure that you are strong and safe whilst dancing en pointe. We recommend that prior to you beginning your ‘en pointe’ journey, you complete a pre- pointe profile to establish your body readiness and needs.

When it comes to dancing en pointe; strength, alignment and adequate support are key to ensuring your pointe journey is enjoyable and progresses as you develop confidence in your body and technique. At Performance Medicine we know how important it is for a dancer to not only be strong through their feet and legs but also to have good alignment, good core activation, upper body freedom to dance en pointe with comfort and ease and above all – remain injury free.

Why have your Pre-pointe Profile assessed?

- Pre pointe profiles (sometimes known as screenings) are a detailed and effective way to assess whether or not you are able to safely start your en pointe training. The main aim of a Pre-pointe Screening is to minimise the risk of injury.

- Dancers have a high incidence of foot and ankle injuries due to the demands placed on the growing body. Pointe work is said to increase the load through your foot by 12 times the body weight (Meck, C. et al, 2004); accordingly, identifying and addressing vulnerable areas prior to commencing en pointe can minimise the risk of injury.

- A Pre-Pointe profile assessment will improve both your understanding & your teacher’s understanding of the strengths and weaknesses that could potentially put you at risk of injury when en pointe. Understanding this empowers you and your dance teacher, with the help of your dance medicine team, to find a tailored solution to get you en pointe safely.

What is Pointe Readiness?

Pointe readiness has many factors that we take into consideration before you progress to en pointe. Here are some of the most common factors.

- Foot and ankle strength, alignment, stability and mobility.
  - - Arguably the most important factor for dancing en pointe safely, effectively and with control.

- Lower limb strength and alignment.
  - - There is a strong relationship between the hip, knee and ankle. The leg as a whole needs to be strong, balanced, coordinated, and working together in order to stay stable but also mobile, dynamic and effortless whilst en pointe.

- Core strength and control of spine and pelvis.
  - - Having adequate strength and control of the body’s centre is key for maintaining coordination and managing stability and poise with all movements in dance – being en pointe is no exception.

- Individual body awareness and understanding.
  - - Having a sound understanding of your individual body mechanics and how they relate to being en pointe is vital for a safe and enjoyable pointe journey. Knowledge and understanding your strengths, areas to work on, and your individual body differences will ensure you stay healthy en pointe.

The Pre-pointe Profile Explained

At Performance Medicine, we work to understand your whole Pre-Pointe Profile.

Your Pre-Pointe Profile consists of two key components to help you achieve pre-pointe readiness. The components of an effective Pre-Pointe profile are:

1. Pre-pointe screening

1. Pre-pointe education and targeted exercise prescription.

At Performance Medicine to achieve your full profile we offer two Pre-pointe appointment options depending on where you are at.

- Pre-pointe Screening (30 mins)
  - - This 30 minute appointment is a comprehensive assessment. We evaluate a series the strength and control of your feet, lower legs and pelvis. It is not an education or exercise session.

- Complete Pre-pointe Profile – screening and education/exercise prescription (60mins)
  - - This 60 minute appointment includes the comprehensive screening of the feet, lower legs and pelvis plus it includes an individualised and targeted education and exercise program aimed at improving strength, mobility or control to ensure you are truly en pointe ready.

Please note, if you choose the 30 minute screening only, you may opt for, or be encouraged to return for an education and exercise session. Some dancers prefer having two separate appointments as it minimises information overload on day one.

When should I have my Pre-Pointe Profile assessed?

- When requested by a parent, student or teacher.

- If you, your parent, or your teacher are not sure whether or not you should be starting en pointe.

- We recommend that you have your screening before you buy your pointe shoes.

- You may also benefit from a pre-pointe screening and education/exercise session if you have begun your pointe journey but are noticing difficulty in strength, coordination or experiencing pain.

After your profile appointment

- After your appointment, we will email you and your dance teacher a copy of your session with us.

- We encourage you to work hard, with your teacher/student, at any tips provided to you by the physiotherapist

- If you progress to en pointe
  - - We recommend that you review with your physiotherapist after approximately six weeks to ensure that you are happy and confident and to progress any strengthening exercises

- If you do not progress to en pointe
  - - There are occasions where some dancers are not quite ready to progress to en pointe. If this is the case, we encourage you to book a follow up appointment with your physiotherapist within the week so we can create a plan and program with you.

What to wear

Please wear comfortable clothing (shorts/leggings, a singlet top or leotard, and bare feet) and do not warm up prior to joining us.

To Book Your Appointment

We understand that you may be nervous when you see us – we will explain each part of the profile, what we’re assessing and why. We’re with you on this journey and want you to feel comfortable.

If you would like to Book a Pre Pointe Assessment, you can book in using either of the links below for your preferred location.

Book Sydney

Book Melbourne

If you need any further information, do not hesitate to contact our Melbourne or Sydney clinics, or check out our Dance Physiotherapy page for more ways that we can help you.

Our Dance Conditioning and Ballet Conditioning classes are perfect for all dancers to get strong and learn about your body.

If you have any questions don’t hesitant to Contact us