July 11, 2025

Starting en pointe is an exciting milestone for any dancer. However, it is important to recognise that dancing en pointe places a significant load on the body, meaning the dancer needs to have the capacity to tolerate these high demands.

At OHL we understand the importance of a pre-pointe assessment to improve both your pointe work, and your overall dance skills.

A personalised approach is key, prior to going en pointe every dancer requires a pre-pointe assessment taking into consideration the individual dancer’s strength, endurance, control, alignment, and overall readiness to ensure a safe and effective transition to pointe work, and one that allows the dancer to flourish en pointe.

The key elements of a pre-pointe assessment at OHL include:

  1. Taking a thorough dance history, injury profile, growth development & goals
  2. Assessing the dancer's physical ability to achieve necessary positions
  3. Assessing the dancer’s functional ability observing movements that translate directly to ballet

Regardless of where you are in your dance journey, investing in appropriate biomechanics and technique will set you up for longevity in dance.

Reasons why a pre-pointe assessment can improve your overall dance skills;

  1. Improves your technique – a pre-pointe assessment focuses on the entire kinematic chain—including spinal, lumbopelvic, and lower limb alignment—enhancing posture, balance, control, and overall movement efficiency across all styles of dance
  2. Builds your core strength – identifying individual areas for improvement within your core muscles is essential for achieving better control, balance, and fluidity in turns, jumps, and overall dance technique
  3. Enhances foot & ankle strength - strong, articulate feet are essential for pointe, but they also improve your jumps/leaps, landings, rises, turns, and stability in every dance style
  4. Identifies & prevents injuries - a thorough evaluation can reveal imbalances or instabilities that may not yet cause pain, though addressing these issues early is key to prevent unnecessary injuries from occurring
  5. Promotes body awareness – understanding your body’s physical strengths and weaknesses allows you to train smarter, improving your technical precision and artistry across all disciplines

Our physiotherapists Lauren & Elise are here to guide you every step of the way—helping you build strength, refine your technique, and dance with confidence. Book your pre-pointe assessment today and take your dancing to the next level by calling 9431 5955 or you can book online via the Client Portal





More Optimal Tips

Strength Screening for Dancers
Strength Screening for Dancers

April 02, 2026

Our new dance screening combines objective strength testing with dance-specific expertise to assess strength, control, and movement quality. Each 45-minute session provides dancers with a clear summary of results and a personalised strength and conditioning program designed to support safer training, improved technique, and performance goals.

Continue Reading

How to conduct an effective warm up – Simplicity wins
How to conduct an effective warm up – Simplicity wins

March 31, 2026

Warm‑ups before high‑intensity exercise consistently improve performance and reduce injury risk, but not all warm‑up methods are equally effective. Research shows that stretching, whether static or dynamic does not meaningfully enhance performance or prevent injuries for most sports. The most reliable warm‑up strategy is simple: rehearse the movements you’re about to do at a lower intensity, then gradually build up.

Continue Reading

The Links between back pain and stress
The Links between back pain and stress

March 27, 2026

Physiotherapist takes you through the strong links between pain and stress. How these areas are interconnected and how we can best make a plan to help get your pain under control.

Continue Reading