Rosa Pasculli & Emma Faulkner – Dance/USA

On this episode of Dance Med Spotlight, host Dr. Alyssa Arms is joined by Dr. Rosa Pasculli and Dr. Emma Faulkner for a conversation centered on the Dance/USA Task Force on Dancer Health and its growing impact on the dance community.

In this conversation, they explain what Dance/USA is and why the Task Force was created. They also share how its resources support dancers, dance educators, and healthcare providers. In addition, they explore cross-training and strength training for dancers and address common myths that still exist in dance culture.

Throughout the episode, Rosa and Emma emphasize collaboration and evidence-informed care. As a result, listeners walk away with practical tools to better support dancer health, performance, and career longevity.

Guests

Rosa Pasculli, MD, MBA, RMSK is a sports medicine physiatrist at Emory University in Atlanta, GA. Her clinical focus includes care of the female athlete and dance medicine. She serves as Head Team Physician for Emory University and works as a consulting physician for the Atlanta Ballet, The Georgia Ballet, and the Atlanta Falcons Cheerleaders. In addition, Dr. Pasculli is the Secretary of the Dance/USA Task Force on Dancer Health Executive Committee.

Emma Faulkner, PT, DPT is an orthopedic physical therapist based in Atlanta, GA. She is the owner of TriHealth Physical Therapy and the co-founder of Atlanta Dance Medicine. Emma works closely with dancers throughout the Atlanta metro area. She is the lead physical therapist for multiple modern dance companies and an adjunct faculty member in Emory University’s Department of Theater and Dance. She also serves as the Screening Chair for the Dance/USA Task Force on Dancer Health Executive Committee.

What We Cover in This Episode

What Dance/USA is and how the Task Force on Dancer Health supports dancer wellness nationwide

Why dancer screenings matter and how they are used in professional and educational settings

How cross-training and strength training support dancer health and performance

Common myths about strength training in dancers—and what current evidence shows instead

Why collaboration between physicians, physical therapists, educators, and organizations is essential