In this Performing Arts SIG (PASIG) panel, PASIG Vice President of Education Melissa Strzelinski, PT, PhD, moderates a discussion with leading clinicians in performing arts physical therapy:

Michael Costello, PT, DSc, OCS, MTC; Monique DeLuca Watson, DPT, OCS, CMTPT/DN; and Andrew Kunin, PT, DPT, OCS, FAAOMPT.

Together, they explore neuropathic pain in dancers and musicians, examining how clinicians can identify, assess, and manage nerve-related conditions within the unique physical demands of performing artists. Topics include:

* Recognizing neuropathic pain presentations in performers

* Clinical reasoning and treatment planning for nerve-related injuries

* Practical education strategies for patient self-management

* Common technical faults and training errors linked to neuropathic issues

* Case discussions from both dance and music populations

This session offers a deep dive into how orthopedic and performing arts clinicians can bridge the gap between neuroscience, performance, and rehabilitation.

Target Audience

Orthopedic physical therapists, performing arts PTs, PT students, dance medicine clinicians, musicians’ health specialists, and anyone treating performers with complex movement and neuropathic pain conditions.