Blogs

From Circus Physio to working with National Team Divers in Norway: Exploring Shoulder Health and Flexibility in Norwegian Athletes

Last week, I traveled to Norway to run a physiotherapy workshop for a team of competitive divers preparing for the European Championships. As a physiotherapist specialising in Performing Arts Medicine, much of my...

Bethany Shum
May 30, 2025

Building a Stronger You: Why Muscle and Nutrition Go Hand-in-Hand

Welcome to Growth Through Movement, the podcast where we explore how movement transforms our lives! In this exciting episode, we get to hear from Donna, a personal trainer and the founder of a vegan protein shake...

Bethany Shum
Apr 26, 2025

Bulletproof Your Ankles: Key Exercises for Strong, Stable Ankles (Mid-Stage Rehab)

Ankle sprains are one of the most common injuries in sports and performance settings.

Upside Down Strength with Judit: The Journey to Mastering Hand Balancing

Have you ever looked at someone effortlessly balancing upside down and thought, "That's just impossible for me"? You're not alone! On this episode of the Grow Through Movement podcast, we interview Judit, a...

How to be an Injury-Free Cheerleader: Top Tips From Leading Sport Injury Experts!!!

Cheerleading is a physically demanding and high-impact sport that requires strength, flexibility, coordination, and endurance. Whether you’re an all-star cheerleader pushing the limits of tumbling or stunting, your...

Small Injuries, Big Problems: A Chat with Dance Physiotherapist Dinah Hampson

We have a very special guest all the way from Toronto, Canada: Dinah Hampson. Dinah is a physiotherapist who works with what she calls "bendy people who need to be strong," and she's also the founder of Pivot Dancer....

Bethany Shum
Feb 10, 2025

Strengthening Your Wrists: Key Progression Exercise for Performers, Aerialist and Acrobats

Let's talk about wrists! Wrist strength is important for handstands, turns and lifts as a performer. Follow the blog below to find out some tips to recover from wrist pain and how you can prevent wrist injuries with...

Bethany Shum
Jan 21, 2025

How to Test Your Shoulder Mobility: Active vs. Passive Assessment for Performers, Aerialist and Acrobats

Having a stiff shoulder not only affects the lines and form of an artist but also increases the risks of shoulder injuries. If you have pain/ stiffness in your shoulder, continue reading to learn how to assess your...

Bethany Shum
Jan 2, 2025

How Cheer Physio Can Help You

Cheerleading is a fun and energetic sport, but injuries can happen due to the high-risk nature of the sport. Helping athletes return safely is important. Here's a simple step-by-step guide:

How Your Eyes Can Enhance Your Movement

James McCambridge is an online movement coach based in London, with a background in working with Irish national gymnasts and professional circus artists!

Overcoming Injury: Mindset Matters Too!

Monika is a part of the Acro community, and in this podcast, she will share with us her inspiring journey of overcoming injuries.

The Aerialist Shoulders - Explained

Unfortunately, injuries in circus and aerial arts are common, and the most affected joint is the shoulder (McBlain and Davies, 2023).

Bethany Shum
Oct 29, 2024

My Journey Through Learning, Inspiration, and Connection in Dance Medicine

Attending the International Association for Dance Medicine & Science (IADMS) conference was a transformative experience for me — one that left me feeling inspired, educated, and eager to integrate everything I...

Bethany Shum
Oct 7, 2024

Managing Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) & Hyper-mobility Syndrome (HMS) in Artistic Sports: A Complete Resource Guide

If you want to learn about HMS - Please check out our last blog on 'Hypermobility-- Asset or Liability?' !!

Bethany Shum
Sep 23, 2024

'C.I.R.C.U.S' Acronym Warm-Up

Picture taken at the PAMA (Performing Arts Medicine Association) Conference - 2024

Bethany Shum
Sep 18, 2024

Calf Raises- The Secret to Better Performance and Injury Prevention

In 2020, the Australian Ballet shared its secret to helping its dancers prevent injuries and improve their performance: single-leg calf raises. In this blog, we will explore the theory behind this and discuss how it...

Bethany Shum
Sep 11, 2024

Navigating Injuries in Performance and Sports: The Healing Process

Injuries are common, especially if you are an active athlete and performer. Understanding the healing process and the emotional journey that comes with it can make a difference in how you recover.

Bethany Shum
Aug 6, 2024

Psychological Approach CBT for Pain Treatment

Chronic musculoskeletal pain is a complex issue that often requires a multidisciplinary approach to manage effectively. While physical factors undoubtedly contribute to pain, it's equally important to recognise the...

Bethany Shum
Jul 15, 2024

Pre-habilitation Tips for Injury Prevention in Performing Arts

We're diving deep into prehabilitation (prehab) and sharing top tips for injury prevention. Whether you're a seasoned performer or just starting your journey, understanding how to prevent injuries before they happen...

Bethany Shum
Jun 25, 2024

What Is RED-S? And What to Do About It?

If you are feeling fatigued, lacking concentration, or performing poorly despite the amount of training you've had, this blog might be for you! RED-S refers to Relative Energy Deficiency in Sports, a condition that...

Bethany Shum
May 20, 2024

Hypermobility-- Asset or Liability?

Have you ever wondered why someone could hit the splits so effortlessly when it takes some of us months of practice? Although flexibility can be improved later in life, some of us are born with bendy joints...

When Will I Recover? Average Healing Times for 5 Common Injuries in Cheerleaders

📊 Did you know? Over the past decade, cheerleading has had 64 injuries per 100,000. But there’s more to the story! 🤸‍♀️

Bethany Shum
Jan 29, 2024

Foot And Ankle Injuries In Dance

Bethany Shum
Nov 8, 2023

Rethinking about your warm-up during rehearsal!

How do you prepare your body for rehearsal? Do you have a fixed routine for warm-up or go straight into your practice?

Bethany Shum
Nov 8, 2023

Injury management and phases of rehab for acrobatic performers.

Acute - an unfortunate accident, possibly involving others

Bethany Shum
Nov 8, 2023

“Sleep” - The secret to enhancing your performance!

There are 4 stages in our sleep: falling asleep, light sleep, deep sleep and REM (rapid eye movement). During deep sleep, growth hormone peaks which support muscle and bone repair. This is followed by REM stage,...

Bethany Shum
Feb 13, 2023

Yoga Therapy and Mindfulness for Chronic Pain

In this blog post, we will be discussing the benefits and techniques of yoga therapy and mindfulness for managing chronic pain. Yoga therapy is a holistic approach to health that can be used as a tool to bring...