Dance Medicine Physical Therapy
Dance medicine therapy is a specialized field focused on preventing, diagnosing, and treating injuries in dancers and performing artists, aiming to optimize performance and longevity. It utilizes tailored rehabilitation, strength training, and biomechanical analysis, often provided by physical therapists with specialized expertise in dance.
While designed for ballet, jazz, hip-hop, and contemporary dancers, this therapy also benefits performers in:
- Gymnastics
- Figure skating
- Cheerleading
Unlike general sports medicine, dance medicine specifically addresses the unique artistic needs of dancers, such as the demand for extreme ranges of motion and specific aesthetic alignments.
Treatment may incorporate: flexibility, manual therapy, neuromuscular control, and functional strengthening, stabilization and plyometrics within dance specific exercises.
Katie Oakley, PTA graduated from Wor-Wic Community College with an Associate of Applied Science – Physical Therapist Assistant degree. In addition to this, Katie also has a Bachelor of Science – Exercise Science degree from Salisbury University. Katie has worked for Aquacare Physical Therapy in various positions, for the last six years while completing her degrees. More recently, Katie has gone on to receive her Dance Medicine Certification. Katie has danced competitively for 16 years where she trained at the Broadway Dance Center in New York City, performed at Disney, and the Royal Caribbean Cruise Line. Katie then transitioned into teaching and choreography. She has choreographed for James M. Bennett’s Rock n’ Roll Revival, Community Players, and the Theatre Department at Salisbury University. Katie believes the need for Dance Medicine Physical Therapy is imperative in our area with multiple dance studios, pre-professional ballet studios, theatre companies and universities. 
Katie Weber, PT, DPT, CMTPT, COMT, earned a bachelor’s degree in biology in 2009 from Mount St. Mary’s University and doctorate of physical therapy in 2012 from the University of Maryland at Baltimore. Since finishing school, she continues to strive to better serve her patients by obtaining certification in manual trigger point therapy that incorporates therapeutic dry needling and a certification in orthopedics manual therapy. She enjoys working with a diverse patient population ranging from sports injuries, geriatrics, joint replacements, and workers' compensation patients. She is an avid runner, triathlete, and former college swimmer with special interest in the marathon and full triathlon distances. She strives to provide the highest quality of care to get all patients back to living their normal lives and back to participation in sports or recreational activities.
Training: Graduated with a BS in biology from Mount Saint Mary’s University in 2009 and with a Doctorate in Physical Therapy in 2012 from University of Maryland at Baltimore.
Specialties :
Shannon Arnie, PT, DPT, has more than 13 years of experience with physical therapy for a variety of orthopedic conditions and dance medicine. She is certified in 
Mel Blankensop, PTA, has more than 20 years of experience. She prides herself on providing patients with a positive and educational environment to assist them in healing and being able to self-manage symptoms. She provides aquatic physical therapy, hands-on manual therapy, pediatrics, lymphedema, vestibular rehabilitation, pediatrics, general orthopedic rehabilitation and geriatrics.
She graduated magna cum laude from Delaware Technical Community College with an Associate Degree in Applied Health and obtained by MD and DE PTA license in 2014. She has taken several Great Lakes courses, including Myofascial Release, Functional Strength, Treatment of Common Extremities, The Foot and Ankles, The Lumbar Complex, Cervical, Thoracic and Rib Mobilizations, The Basics of SI Mobilization and Functional Anatomy. She also has taken several aquatic courses through The Aquatic Therapy Institute AND Aquatic University. She is a trained lymphedema therapist and has experience rehabbing and preventing injuries in the young athlete, and balance and vestibular training. She is also a credentialed clinical instructor. 
