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Mia Oakman, PT, DPT | Dance Physical Therapist

@mo_dance.ology

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🩰Dancer —> Doctor of Physical Therapy🏋️‍♀️
———
✨Applying the science to improve the art
✨Helping dancers move better, stronger, and pain-free

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Hi, I’m the creator of Dance-ology—where dance meets science 💫

After 15+ years of training as a dancer to now being a Doctor of Physical Therapy, I’ve seen firsthand how understanding your body can completely change the way you dance.

Dance-ology is all about helping dancers:
✨ Prevent injuries
✨ Build strength and stability
✨ Improve control, alignment, and performance

I take what I’ve learned from both the studio and the clinic and break it down into simple, practical tips you can actually use.

Because when you understand how your body works, you don’t just dance harder—you dance smarter.

Welcome to dance-ology, where we apply the science to improve the art.

#dancept #injuryprevention #movementscience #dancerhealth #movesmarter by @mo_dance.ology

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6 months ago

Hi! My name is Mia — a ballet dancer turned physical therapist currently living in the Atlanta, GA area.

You may notice that this account originally started as a place for dance photos and videos. Over the past couple of years, I realized I wanted to turn it into something more: a space to share all things physical therapy, especially for dancers.

A little more about me: I’m originally from Birmingham, AL and have over 15 years of dance experience. I attended the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, where I earned my undergraduate degree in dance and pursued a minor in Dance-Science. While in college, I also met my now husband, Josh, and we got married and moved to Atlanta in June of 2025.

I went on to complete my Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from South College in Knoxville, TN. During my DPT program, I had the opportunity to spend six months completing a clinical rotation at one of Emory’s outpatient clinics, and am now employed with Emory as an orthopedic physical therapist.

As a dancer myself, I’m especially passionate about helping dancers stay healthy, strong, and performing at their best. My long-term goal is to work more closely with dancers and help bring greater awareness to injury prevention and strength training in the dance world.

At the end of the day, my “why” for becoming a physical therapist is simple: I want to help people. I feel incredibly grateful to be equipped with these skills, and my hope is to use them to be a blessing to others.

Thanks for coming along — I’m glad you’re here!

#dancephysicaltherapy #dancept #dancemedicine #movementscience #dancerhealth by @mo_dance.ology

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6 months ago

Out with the old, in with the new…

For years, RICE (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation) has been the go-to recommendation for soft tissue injuries.

But research has shifted toward a framework called PEACE & LOVE — a more active approach to recovery that emphasizes long-term tissue healing rather than just short-term symptom relief.

Here’s the general idea:

PEACE = what to focus on immediately after injury:

✨ Protection — avoid movements that significantly increase pain
✨ Elevation — elevate the injured area above heart level when possible
✨ Avoid excessive anti-inflammatories — including routine icing and ibuprofen-type medications
✨ Compression — help manage swelling with compression sleeves or wraps
✨ Education — understand healing timelines and avoid chasing “quick fixes”

LOVE = what tissues need after the first few days:

✨ Load — gradually reintroduce movement and let pain guide progression
✨ Optimism — mindset and confidence influence recovery more than people realize
✨ Vascularization — pain-free aerobic activity can increase blood flow to healing tissues
✨ Exercise — active rehab helps restore mobility, strength, and tissue tolerance

One of the biggest shifts in this framework is the emphasis on progressive movement and loading rather than prolonged rest.

The research also discusses how routinely suppressing inflammation — including excessive use of anti-inflammatory medication and even ice — may interfere with aspects of tissue healing.

This doesn’t mean RICE is always wrong — it simply highlights how our understanding of recovery continues to evolve.

Modern injury management is shifting toward supporting tissue healing, not just symptom suppression.

Healing is more than damage control.

Comment “RICE” below and I’ll send you the research 📚

#evidencebasedpractice #danceology #dancept #movementscience #rehabilitation by @mo_dance.ology

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5 months ago

Recipe for single serving:

- half of a large frozen banana (make sure it’s frozen!)
- 1/3 cup of oats
- half a tablespoon of brown sugar
- splash of vanilla extract
- 1 TBSP of cocoa powder
- heaping spoonful of peanut butter
- 5-6 large ice cubes
- 3/4 cup of milk

Modify this recipe as you like! I don’t make it this exact way every time ;)

#dancemedicine #injuryprevention #ballethealth by @mo_dance.ology

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5 months ago

Most dancers focus on training… but forget what supports it.

MEDS isn’t just a concept — it’s a foundation for how your body functions and recovers.

Mindfulness, exercise, diet, and sleep all play a role in energy, recovery, performance, and long-term health.

When these areas are missing, everything else feels harder.

A reminder that recovery isn’t separate from training — it’s part of it.

🫶🏼 your dance PT friend

#dancept #ballethealth #injuryprevention #movementscience #ballettraining by @mo_dance.ology

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5 months ago

One of the biggest misconceptions in the dance world is that stretching will solve all your aches and pains.

For hypermobile dancers, the missing piece is often more strength training.

Learning how your body works can completely change the way you train, perform, and recover —— because dancing smarter will always beat dancing harder.

What’s a dance misconception you grew up hearing?👇🏻

#dancept #dancemedicine #injuryprevention #movementscience #movesmarter by @mo_dance.ology

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5 months ago

In honor of the performance we would have had this weekend, here are a few pictures from my time as lucy pevinsie. thankful for special moments that are shared on stage. miss my Briarwood ballet family more than ever <3 by @mo_dance.ology

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6 years ago

choreography by the wonderful @kelseyshelt !! thank you for sending us beautiful choreography to learn during this time. <3
song by Helen Jane Long
ps. dancing in your driveway is hard 😜

@briarwoodballet #bwoodballetturnsouttogether by @mo_dance.ology

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7 years ago

last night @balletexaltation had an in-studio performance for the parents!! We will be having the real performance this upcoming Sunday for Briarwood Presbyterian Church at 6:00pm! taken in Briarwood Presbyterian Church, PCA by @mo_dance.ology

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7 years ago

what an amazing 3 weeks it was! thank you @balletaustin !!
#basi #balletaustin #balletaustinsi taken in Ballet Austin by @mo_dance.ology

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7 years ago

your classic national dance day post 💛
@alexandradavie.photography taken in Golden, Colorado by @mo_dance.ology

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7 years ago

reminiscing on my time in Colorado and doing a DREAM photoshoot!! 🤩 @alexandradavie.photography taken in Golden, Colorado by @mo_dance.ology

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7 years ago