Dancer Health – A World of Resources Unfolds at the Performing Arts Medicine Association’s Annual Symposium 2014
It was my great pleasure to travel to Snowmass, Colorado this past week to attend the Performing Arts Medicine Association’s 32nd Annual Symposium at the Snowmass Westin Conference Center. As an Allied Healthcare Member of this organization and a first time attendee to this yearly event, the pristine backdrop and collegial environment were inviting and beyond compare.
So what is this all about?
*The Performing Arts Medicine Association (PAMA) is an organization comprised of dedicated medical professionals, artists, educators, and administrators with the common goal of improving the health care of the performing artist. The Performing Arts Medicine Association was founded in 1989. Members join from around the world who are professionals in fields that include research, education, and clinical practice. Many have written books and articles to inform and educate other professionals and performers.
PAMA is committed to:
• Promoting the highest quality of care to all performing artists and bringing to that care an appreciation of the special needs of performing artists.
• Developing educational programs designed to enhance the understanding and prevention of medical problems related to the performing arts.
• Promoting communication among all those involved in the health care and well being of performing artists.
• Fostering research into the etiology, prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation of medical problems of performing artists
Snowmass, Colorado
*In conjunction with the Aspen Music Festival, this inter-disciplinary 2014 symposium program offers presentations by invited experts, abstracts and posters on the latest clinical and basic research, breakout discussions on multiple topics, workshops, and demonstrations. By participating in this Symposium, attendees are able to improve the care of performers and advance the work of performing arts medicine as a field by:
• Identifying current practices in arts and entertainment leading to biomechanical problems that contribute to injuries in performing artists.
• Applying emerging research and treatment options for common musculoskeletal and neurologic problems and identifying specific treatment implications for the performing arts clinician.
• Incorporating wellness education and information about the potential physical/psychological risks of performance, particularly those risks related to participation in competitions, in the care of both student and professional performers.
Plenary sessions held were throughout the 5 day conference
Practitioners, researchers, performers, and teachers presented their studies and findings, demonstrating the care and expertise necessary to addressing the concerns of instrumentalists, vocalists, actors, dancers, and conductors. In the field of dance, topics ranged from concussions to performance psychology, nutrition to common hip and knee injuries and biomechanics. Experts from prestigious organizations like Dance/USA , Chapman University (CA), Case Western Reserve University (OH), and the Dancer Wellness Project to name a few, provided information about resources and tools that will further the efficacy of dance medicine and improve the training of dancers.
All artists can access the wealth of information and resources available to them from the hard work of the members of this organization on the PAMA website, http://www.artsmed.org. Performers and teachers as well as medical and healthcare professionals are welcome to join. A member directory is available to everyone so you can contact practitioners in your area that are qualified to work with you on your particular injuries, and health and training concerns. If you’d like to attend a local event in Southern California, clear your calendars for the Healthy Approaches in the Training of Performing Artists conference co-hosted by Chapman University and PAMA on September 6 and 7, 2014. For more information, visit http://www.chapman.edu/arts-health
It’s my sincere aim to expose you as my reader to the resources and tools that will assist you on your path. Please always feel free to write me for any more information!
Happy dancing!
*This text was extracted from the PAMA website (artsmed.org)