A Principal Dancer from the National Ballet of Canada, who has been a long-time client at my clinic, recently reached out, expressing concern about the lead role, Princess Odette, in the upcoming sold-out production of "Swan Lake" due to her poor condition. The fact that the dancer was referred directly to me, bypassing the National Ballet's treatment facilities, indicates a severe situation.
In addressing two intriguing points:
- Why therapists and dancers from the National Ballet of Canada refer numerous cases directly to me?
- Why do seemingly flexible ballet dancers often experience injuries?
These points highlight a broader issue often overlooked in various fields, causing many talented athletes and dancers to suffer unnecessarily.
The answer to the first point lies in the difference in my problem-solving approach and mindset toward treatment compared to therapists in conventional facilities. Having been supported by many dancers who have been my clients for years, these dancers, in turn, appeal to the therapists at the National Ballet's treatment facility about my approach, creating a streamlined referral process.
For the second point, the apparent flexibility of ballet dancers is deceptive. Despite seeming flexible, their bodies are not truly soft. Professional ballet dancers develop specific movements and muscle conditioning from a young age, creating joint mobility and flexibility comparable to what the general population achieves through stretching or yoga. However, their unique joint conditions lead to accumulating fatigue (stiffness) in areas not commonly affected, making this stiffness difficult to detect even by the dancers themselves.
The TAD Method, which I have employed for over 30 years in supporting ballet, figure skaters, soccer players, and more, successfully addresses these challenges. Recently, an interview article about the TAD Method was published on Number WEB, ranking first and third in Number WebRanking.
The TAD Method's key principles include:
- Providing tailored approaches that suit individual bodies rather than relying on fixed techniques.
- Drawing on 30 years of experience to grasp the goals, coach's instructions, personal feelings, and the physical condition of top athletes during specific timings, allowing preventive measures to be implemented before issues arise.
Furthermore, the TAD Method isn't exclusive to elite athletes but is applicable to solving everyday problems faced by the general public.
TAD Method is recommended for cases such as:
- Chronic lower back pain: Ideal for finding and addressing the root cause of long-standing issues.
- Stagnation in athletic performance: Effective for identifying unnoticed fatigue that hinders optimal body movement.
- Undiagnosed conditions despite multiple examinations: Suitable for unraveling complex problems with multiple contributing factors.
Returning to the "Swan Lake" case, with intensive sessions over the four weeks leading up to the premiere, the lead dancer managed to overcome the challenges and deliver a remarkable performance, receiving continuous applause for her powerful Black Swan fouetté turns despite the pain in her foot.
All's well that ends well.