Dance Physio & Pre-Pointe Assessments
Helping dancers in Mango Hill put their best foot forward… or up, out, and safely en pointe!
A comprehensive, objective assessment to ensure you have the strength, mobility, and control required to transition to pointe work safely.
Mitchell Robinson
MSK & Dance Physiotherapist
Going en pointe is a major milestone. We combine clinical orthopaedic testing with functional dance screening to ensure you transition safely, without risking preventable foot, ankle, or hip injuries.
Why Get a Pre-Pointe Assessment?
Dancers are highly conditioned athletes. However, the flexibility and control required for pointe work puts immense pressure on foot and ankle structures that regular day-to-day activities do not.
A Certification of Ability
A pre-pointe assessment acts as a certification of your readiness. Movements that are relatively simple in flats become significantly harder once en pointe. We assess your joint mobility, hypermobility, core control, and specific dance technique to ensure your strength matches your skill level. If there is a missing link, we catch it before it becomes an injury.
No One “Fails” a Pre-Pointe Assessment
Our philosophy is supportive and forward-looking. If a dancer doesn’t quite have the strength or mobility required on the day, they don’t “fail”. Instead, they are given a structured, targeted conditioning program (homework) to build up those specific areas. We then reassess to clear them for their pre-pointe classes.
What’s Included in Our 60-Minute Assessment?
- Detailed Subjective History — discussing your training hours, current dance level, specific styles, past injuries, and personal dance goals.
- Clinical Joint Mobility — measuring precise Ankle Knee-to-Wall (KTW), 1st MTPJ (big toe) dorsiflexion, and combined 180-degree foot & ankle plantarflexion.
- Hypermobility & Alignment Screening — using the Beighton Scale to check for hyper-extension in knees and elbows, alongside posture, spinal curves, and pelvic alignment.
- Strength & Motor Control — objective calf endurance testing, active hip turnout measurement, foot doming tests (arch control), and lumbar extension control (standing bow).
- Dance-Specific Functional Tests — assessing your form through movements like the Grand-Plié, rises in 1st position, Retiré, and Posé forward into retiré.
- Advanced Tests (As Indicated) — Pirate en dehors, Temps levé, and the ‘Airplane Test’ with 5 knee bends to ensure elite single-leg stability.
Trusted by Mango Hill & North Lakes Dancers
Mitch is absolutely amazing! He is so friendly, respectful, and genuinely kind. He really takes the time to listen and makes you feel comfortable and supported throughout the whole process. You can tell he truly cares about his clients and wants the best outcomes for them. I always feel heard and well looked after. I couldn’t recommend Mitchell highly enough! an outstanding physio!
- paige (from nics google acc sorry nic x)
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Clinical Objective Testing
Pointe work requires an exceptional amount of mobility and strength. We start by looking at your joints and muscles in isolation.
- Essential Range of Motion: We test for full 180-degree combined foot/ankle plantarflexion, alongside strict measurements for Ankle dorsiflexion (KTW) and big toe extension (1st MTPJ).
- Hypermobility & Control: Using the Beighton Scale, we assess if you have hypermobile joints (like hyperextended knees/elbows) and evaluate your capacity to control that extra range safely.
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Dance-Specific Functional Testing
Once mobility is cleared, we analyze how those joints perform under load during actual dance movements.
- Control & Stability: We test calf endurance, foot doming (arch control), and core stability during a standing bow test.
- Ballet Foundations: We watch your form during the Grand-Plié, rises in 1st position, and Retiré to ensure you have the active turnout and control required.
- Advanced Tests: Depending on your level, we may also run the Airplane test (with 5 knee bends) or assess your Temps levé to check elite-level balance.
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Your Personalised Plan
We don’t believe in failing a pre-pointe assessment. We believe in preparation.
- Clearing You For Class: If your strength and mobility match your skill level, we clear you to begin your pointe classes with confidence!
- Targeted Conditioning: If you need a bit more work, you will be given a specific home exercise program to address your weak points. We’ll then reassess you in a few weeks once those skills are developed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Pre-pointe assessments are comprehensive and take 60 minutes. This gives us ample time to get through the full clinical and functional assessment, and go through the results and findings with you (and your parents). We also will prepare a report for your dance teacher.
No one truly “fails” a pre-pointe assessment. Some dancers may just need to brush up on specific strength or control metrics to be safely cleared. If this is the case, you will be given targeted homework exercises to develop those skills. For this reason, we recommend booking your assessment at least 4 to 6 weeks prior to the commencement of your dance term, giving you time to build that strength and be reassessed before term starts.
Yes, it is highly recommended that a parent or guardian attends. This ensures everyone understands the findings and knows exactly what homework exercises might need to be done before passing. It is also our clinic’s best practice for the assessment and treatment of minors.
Please wear comfortable dance attire (such as tights or leggings) that allows us to see your knee, ankle, and foot alignment clearly. You should also bring your flat ballet shoes. If you have any previous scans or notes regarding past foot/ankle injuries, please bring those along too.
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Shop 7 Capestone Village
67 Capestone Blvd, Mango Hill 4509
Contact Us
P: 0468 054 699
E: info@aboundphysio.com
F: 07 5547 5777
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Proudly serving Mango Hill, North Lakes, Rothwell, Deception Bay, Griffin and Kallangur. Conveniently located near Westfield North Lakes / Mango Hill Train Station.
Disclaimer
Every body is unique, and so is every recovery journey. While the team at Abound Physio is dedicated to supporting your health, mobility, and wellbeing, specific results will vary from person to person and cannot be guaranteed. Please speak with one of our qualified physiotherapists for advice tailored to your individual needs.