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Victoria Parr’s journey through injuries as a dance major at the University at Buffalo (UB) led her to a profound realization about the lack of proper care for dancers.
During her sophomore year, Parr suffered from severe shin splints that halted her dancing.
“If I knew how to strengthen my calves and my ankles the right way, I could have prevented that injury. Dancers don’t always know how to take care of their bodies. They’re dancing a lot and need help with recovery.”
Motivated by her experience, Parr, alongside fellow UB Athletic Trainer Marie Pettitt, started working with UB dance majors to enhance their physical care. Parr, who holds bachelor’s degrees in dance and exercise science and a master’s in athletic training from UB, stated:
“I knew from my experiences and all my dance friends being injured in college, too, there’s a need for this.”
Parr, now specializing in dance and performing arts medicine with UBMD Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine, collaborates with Pettitt, a UB graduate with a master’s in athletic training. The initiative, which began as a class project, aims to address the unique healthcare needs of dancers.
“As we both grew up dancing and experienced injuries, we also experienced a lack of health care resources available to us with the knowledge of the demand and athleticism needed in the performing arts."
This project, supported by Sarah Krzyzanowicz, clinical instructor in the Department of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, evolved into a full-fledged program offering weekly treatment sessions for dance students at Alumni Arena.
“We are very excited that a class project we designed has come to full fruition,” says Krzyzanowicz. “Marie and Victoria both worked on this project when they were students in our program, and we are so proud that they have continued to pursue ensuring that performing arts patients have equal access to the same health care that traditional athletes are used to.”
Parr and Pettitt primarily serve high schools but now dedicate weekly hours to UB’s dance students. Initially met with skepticism, the program has gained trust as students realized the trainers’ goal is to enhance their dancing.
“There was definitely a lot of education at first,” says Parr. “We love dance and want you to be able to dance better, stronger, and get back to it sooner.”
The trainers frequently treat sore muscles, ankle sprains, and back pain, and they provide recovery strategies tailored to the physical demands of each dancer. Senior dance majors Amanda Healy and Lily Colligan have both benefited from the program. Healy, who dealt with Morton’s neuroma, found significant relief through Pettitt’s sessions.
“It’s so helpful that these appointments are available to us,” Healy says. Colligan adds, “The treatments have helped me a lot with pain management. It helps me dance better if I’m able to manage pain better.”
Through dedicated care, Parr and Pettitt are transforming the health and performance of UB’s dance majors, ensuring they can dance safely and effectively.
Check out the full story here!
