The Cleveland Clinic Canada & NBS
The Cleveland Clinic Canada is helping ensure the health and well-being of all of our Professional students at NBS. The Director of the Sports Health Program at the Clinic is Dr Tim Rindlisbacher. Here, he discusses health, dance and the relationship NBS has with the Cleveland Clinic.
NBS: What is the Cleveland Clinic Canada?
TR: The Cleveland Clinic Canada is a branch of the Cleveland Clinic in the US, which is a 140-acre facility in Cleveland with 1,700 medical specialists on staff. The branch here in Toronto is a small campus focused on executive health and sports medicine.
We opened our doors in Toronto three years ago. Since then, the program has expanded to include physiotherapy, chiropractic work, race fitting and foot orthotics, sports dieticians and exercise physiologists, among many other specialties.
NBS: How did the Cleveland Clinic Canada come to be involved with Canada's National Ballet School?
TR: I have worked extensively with gymnastics and dance medicine prior to my work with the Clinic. Through the contacts I gained in those fields, I connected with Mavis Staines, the Artistic Director of Canada's National Ballet School
The Clinic's role at NBS is a varied one. We are always available to students in the Professional Ballet Program. We are able to offer state-of-the-art facilities, staff and equipment to allow them to have their injuries or issues properly assessed and treated quickly and efficiently. We are also reaching out to all NBS students, in all of the programs, to let them know that all of our services are available to all NBS students and staff, all they need do is contact us. The bulk of our services are covered by OHIP or by private insurance plans, and we have features that are really advantageous to NBS' dancers. A good example is our onsite x-ray machine. We pride ourselves on quick and easy access to diagnoses, recovery and rehabilitation plans. Our facilities are beautiful and located right on the subway line.
NBS: Students at NBS are returning to school after a holiday, have you any tips on ways to prevent injury as they return to their regular dance training schedule?
TR: Without high intensity exercise muscles atrophy or weaken only two days after not being used. So although it's nice to give the body a break, during these brief periods the dancers are certainly encouraged to do some form of general exercise to keep themselves in shape. Some easy suggestions include swimming, cycling on the stationary bike, or even aggressive ice skating. A general form of exercise throughout the holidays is a great idea.
NBS: Dance is a very physical medium and can be hard on its practitioners. Have you suggestions on how to best prevent injury as students train and learn?
TR: My main piece of advice is to listen to the teachers. They have the background and personal experience in how to best ease students into certain skills as their bodies and skill levels best allow. Another piece of advice would be that proper nutrition, eating well and lots of sleep are key to success.
NBS: When injured, dancers are often impatient to get back to dancing. Do you have any suggestions on how to be patient with the healing process?
TR: Injuries can really hard emotionally and mentally, as well as physically. I strongly believe that rehabilitation and recovery from almost any injury can be done with consistent exercise that is tailored to a specific injury.
Generally speaking, swimming and working out in the pool is quite helpful because the buoyancy of water allows for moderate weight bearing without intensity or heavy impact on bones and muscles.
As a general statement, I would say to work with a physiotherapist on devising an appropriate exercise program that doesn't stress your injury. If possible, I would encourage students to stay connected with their dance environments, watch classes, assist instructors, once they're able to participate in parts of classes.