On this episode of Dance Med Spotlight, host Dr. Alyssa Arms is joined by Dr. Rosa Pasculli and Dr. Emma Faulkner for a conversation centered on the Dance/USA Task Force on Dancer Health and its growing impact on the dance community.

In this conversation, they explain what Dance/USA is and why the Task Force was created. They also share how its resources support dancers, dance educators, and healthcare providers. In addition, they explore cross-training and strength training for dancers and address common myths that still exist in dance culture.

Throughout the episode, Rosa and Emma emphasize collaboration and evidence-informed care. As a result, listeners walk away with practical tools to better support dancer health, performance, and career longevity.

Rosa Pasculli, MD, MBA, RMSK is a sports medicine physiatrist at Emory University in Atlanta, GA. Her clinical focus includes care of the female athlete and dance medicine. She serves as Head Team Physician for Emory University and works as a consulting physician for the Atlanta Ballet, The Georgia Ballet, and the Atlanta Falcons Cheerleaders. In addition, Dr. Pasculli is the Secretary of the Dance/USA Task Force on Dancer Health Executive Committee.

Emma Faulkner, PT, DPT is an orthopedic physical therapist based in Atlanta, GA. She is the owner of TriHealth Physical Therapy and the co-founder of Atlanta Dance Medicine. Emma works closely with dancers throughout the Atlanta metro area. She is the lead physical therapist for multiple modern dance companies and an adjunct faculty member in Emory University’s Department of Theater and Dance. She also serves as the Screening Chair for the Dance/USA Task Force on Dancer Health Executive Committee.

• What Dance/USA is and how the Task Force on Dancer Health supports dancer wellness nationwide
• Why dancer screenings matter and how they are used in professional and educational settings
• How cross-training and strength training support dancer health and performance
• Common myths about strength training in dancers—and what current evidence shows instead
• Why collaboration between physicians, physical therapists, educators, and organizations is essential
• Connect with Our Guests & Organizations
  • Rosa Pasculli, MD: @rosapasculliMD
  • Emma Faulkner, PT, DPT: @dancingemdpt
  • Dance/USA: @danceusaorg

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In this episode of Dance Med Spotlight, host Dr. Alyssa Arms, PT, DPT, OCS, turns the focus to the Colorado Dance Education Organization (CoDEO). CoDEO President Ann Hunt joins the conversation to share how the organization supports dance educators, students, and programs across the state.

CoDEO is a statewide nonprofit that focuses on advocacy, community-building, and accessible dance education. During the episode, Ann explains how CoDEO serves public schools, private studios, higher education programs, and community organizations. She also introduces the annual CoDEO conference, which brings dancers and educators together in a collaborative, non-competitive environment.

Listeners will learn how CoDEO promotes high-quality dance education through teacher training, health and wellness sessions, scholarships, and statewide initiatives. As a result, the episode offers a clear look at how CoDEO strengthens the Colorado dance community.

Ann introduces CoDEO and describes its connection to the National Dance Education Organization (NDEO). She explains how CoDEO works to elevate dance education throughout Colorado.

The episode breaks down the purpose and structure of the annual conference. Ann shares what attendees can expect, including movement classes, teacher workshops, and networking opportunities.

In addition, CoDEO includes health, wellness, and adaptive dance sessions in its programming. These offerings give educators tools to support dancers with a wide range of needs.

The conference is intentionally non-competitive. Because of this, dancers can focus on learning, creativity, and connection rather than scores or rankings.

Finally, Ann explains how donations, memberships, and sponsorships help CoDEO provide scholarships and expand its offerings across the state.

Please note that Back in Step PT may receive a share of sales due to the use of affiliate links. This means we receive a commision at no additional cost to you! We only share products that we personally use and love, whether it’s in the clinic or at home.

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In this episode of Dance Med Spotlight, host Dr. Alyssa Arms talks with Cara Dixon, co-founder and director of Relative Motion. Cara is a dance educator, adjudicator, and choreographer who blends movement, anatomy, and artistry in her teaching.

Relative Motion was created to bridge the gap between dance and anatomy. Cara shares how her team helps dancers build strength, alignment, and longevity through better body awareness. Their approach makes anatomy easy to see and understand — not just something to memorize.

In this conversation, Cara explains how anatomical concepts are woven into dance training to help dancers move smarter. She also describes how Relative Motion’s training programs and color-coded apparel give dancers and teachers visual cues for alignment and muscle activation. As a result, dancers can improve their performance while reducing injury risk.

In addition, Cara and Alyssa talk about the importance of creating a shared vocabulary between dancers and teachers. This kind of clear communication helps both sides better understand how movement feels and functions.

The discussion also highlights why mastering the fundamentals is so valuable. Cara compares it to professional athletes who keep refining the basics, even at the highest level. Through this, dancers can achieve long-term progress and artistry.

Overall, this episode offers practical ideas for improving dance training through science-based tools and teaching methods. Whether you are a dancer, teacher, or clinician, you’ll gain a new perspective on how to combine science and creativity to support healthy, sustainable performance.

Connect with Relative Motion:
Instagram: @relativemotiondance
Facebook: @therelativemotionexperience
YouTube: Relative Motion

Please note that Back in Step PT may receive a share of sales due to the use of affiliate links. This means we receive a commision at no additional cost to you! We only share products that we personally use and love, whether it’s in the clinic or at home.

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In this episode of Dance Med Spotlight, host Dr. Alyssa Arms, PT, DPT, OCS is joined by Dr. Sarah Needham-Beck, PhD, FIADMS—a lecturer and researcher in Dance Science and Applied Physiology at the University of Chichester, freelance consultant, and board member for IADMS.

Dr. Beck brings her expertise in applied physiology and quantitative research to the conversation, focusing on how dancers, educators, and companies can use data to support training and performance. Rather than viewing research as restrictive, she encourages embracing it as a supportive tool that enhances both health and artistry.

Dance is both highly physical and deeply artistic. Understanding the body’s responses to training, rehearsals, and performances can help dancers train smarter, reduce injury risk, and optimize performance. In this episode, Dr. Beck explains how everything from simple personal journaling to advanced monitoring systems in professional companies can provide insights that elevate dance training without taking away from creativity.

• Physiological Demands of Dance: Exploring how the body responds across different types of training and performance.

• Integrating Science and Artistry: Using data and research as a tool to support artistry, not restrict it.

• Practical Applications: Simple approaches like journaling hydration, sleep, and fatigue levels for self-awareness.

• Research in Education: Insights from ongoing projects in vocational and professional settings.

• Empowering Dancers: Shifting the narrative around data so dancers feel supported and empowered by science.

Follow Dr. Beck on Instagram: @sneedhambeck

Listen to the full conversation on Dance Med Spotlight wherever you get your podcasts.

Please note that Back in Step PT may receive a share of sales due to the use of affiliate links. This means we receive a commision at no additional cost to you! We only share products that we personally use and love, whether it’s in the clinic or at home.

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