Can I Still Dance?

This was one of the first questions that came up when we found out Dancer Girl needed a Boston brace. Dance is what she loves doing most in the whole world.  It is what brings her joy.  Not being able to dance would have been devastating to her.

                 The answer is "YES!  You can still dance!!"

Here is how it works for us:
1. She takes the brace off for dance classes.  On heavy dance days she won't get her full 18 hours in the brace but that is OK if she is being consistent other days.

2. There are no restrictions at this point on the styles and dance moves she can do.  No official restrictions that is. The reality is that there are certain dance styles and moves which hurt her back more than others.  They are, of course, the ones she enjoys the most.  In those classes the teachers accommodate her by letting her take breaks as needed.

3. We did cut one class to break up a heavy dance day.  She is taking jazz classes, ballet, contemporary, modern, and she is on the competitive dance team - we dropped a second hour of ballet.

4. She does specific stretches and exercises that are good for her back.  The instructors are very understanding with this.  She has a list of exercises from a PT to help with her flexibility and back pain.

What about ballet en pointe?
We have heard mixed reports about dancing en pointe with scoliosis - some say it is particularly hard on your back so it should be avoided, others say plenty of dancers with scoliosis do it without any more problem than most dancers.  She is curious about pointe but since ballet is not her favorite style we may just be able to avoid that whole issue anyway. She would be ready for it in the fall so the summer will be decision time.

What about after surgery?
We know that if this bracing doesn't work and the curve worsens surgery is a possibility.  There are no guarantees. In that case we may have to face this question again.  I know that many girls do still dance after corrective surgery (see the sidebar list for some blog posts we found about that type of situation) but it can't help but impact the dance styles and moves you are able to fully commit to as a dancer. Depending on where the spinal fusion is and how much of the back is involved will ultimately determine the level of dance that can be continued.

But for now at least, she can still dance and that is worth celebrating!!