With rates of scoliosis in dancers reported to be as high as 20-30% of dancers, it's no wonder this is a topic that gets a lot of attention within the dance world. As a follow-up to last week's episode (Episode 115: Scoliosis 101 with Andrea Mendoza of The ScoliClinic), in this week's episode I discuss the practicalities of dancing with scoliosis.

You'll learn the difference between a functional and structural scoliosis, the common patterns and asymmetries that teachers may observe and dancers feel in their body, as well as ways that dancers can learn to embrace and manage their scoliosis.

Learn more about Erika Mayall:

• Follow me on Instagram: @dancephysioerika
• Learn more about me on my website: https://www.allegroperformance.com
• Sign up for my newsletter: Click here
• Send me an email: hello@allegroperformance.com

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This week I'm joined by scoliosis expert and owner of The ScoliClinic Andrea Mendoza. Andrea shares her story and the inspiration behind opening a clinic specific for scoliosis clients and their families. We also touch on:

• what exactly scoliosis is and how it affects the body
• the pathophysiology behind scoliosis and why it happens
• how scoliosis affects dancer populations
• signs to look out for and when to refer to medical professionals
• treatment options for dancers with scoliosis

About Andrea:

Andrea Mendoza is a physiotherapist and business owner based in Vancouver, BC. After noticing the lack of services for teens with scoliosis and their families, Andrea founded The ScoliClinic in 2016. With a growing team and services ranging from 1:1 treatments, group classes, workshops, and a YouTube channel, The ScoliClinic strives to be a Centre of Excellence for scoliosis care, providing high-quality curve-specific physiotherapy and massage therapy to children, teens, and adults in British Columbia.

Over the past decade, Andrea has learned how to adapt typical business strategy and practice to this highly niche practice. With a drive to learn the 'anatomy of business', Andrea completed the Executive MBA program at SFU’s Beedie School of Business, with training in international markets through the Business in the Americas certificate. Combining this knowledge with her experience in building a specialty practice and an enthusiasm for philosophy, strategy, and leadership, she brings ideas from the conceptual world to material to push healthcare forward in her own business, and supports others to do the same.

In 2023, she was honoured to receive Business in Vancouver's Forty Under 40 Award in recognition of her achievements.

Connect with Andrea:
The ScoliClinic Website
The ScoliClinic on Instagram
The ScoliClinic Connect on YouTube

Resources:
2016 SOSORT Guidelines
Increased Prevalence of Scoliosis in Female Professional Ballet Performers 2025 article

Learn more about Erika Mayall:

• Follow me on Instagram: @dancephysioerika
• Learn more about me on my website: https://www.allegroperformance.com
• Sign up for my newsletter: Click here
• Send me an email: hello@allegroperformance.com

Have you ever wondered what it's like to work with a dance physiotherapist? Or specifically with me or one of the physiotherapists at Allegro Performance + Wellness? In this podcast episode, I discuss the 5 key pillars of the philosophy that guides my approach to treatment and rehabilitation when working with dancers and other artistic athletes.

Additional podcast episodes mentioned in this episode:
Episode 1: My Journey as a Dance Physiotherapist
Episode 32: Accommodating Modifications in Dance
Episode 77: The Rehabilitation Continuum

Learn more about Erika Mayall:

• Follow me on Instagram: @dancephysioerika
• Learn more about me on my website: https://www.allegroperformance.com
• Sign up for my newsletter: Click here
• Send me an email: hello@allegroperformance.com