Performing Arts Sports Medicine

Performing Arts Sports Medicine

Dr. Mark Timmerman: Performing arts medicine is a very interesting part of a sports medicine practice. I call these athletes "artistic athletes." Musicians, dancers, singers, actors; these are people who have competitions and daily practice and work toward a goal, and really are committed to maintaining their activity. And, it takes a sports medicine mentality to keep them active and healthy.

The arts — not traditional sports medicine — but I've always been a fan of the arts. I grew up playing piano and singing in choirs. I sang in choirs through medical school, and I've even been involved in some of the local choirs here. My daughters — we have two daughters — and they were very active in the arts, music and drama through college. And so we've always been patrons of the arts. I serve on the Board of Trustees of our local theater company. So, that's been an important part of my interest in sports medicine.

Actors have an amazing amount of injury. It's quite and athletic endeavor. Not only voice and sinus and head and neck issues, but also they fight onstage. There are many choreographed sword fights. I've taken care of sword injuries and sprains and falls and splinters on stage, and all sorts of injuries.

Artistic athletes are similar to other athletes in that they need to be able to continue their activity. And in fact, for many of them, it's a profession. So, it's really important that they're able to practice. And any way that we can find for artistic athletes to get braced or taped, or help their voice or anything we can do to keep them on the stage, is really important to them. So, that sports medicine mentality or our approach to taking care of injuries, it really fits them.

River Valley Clinic
436 Sunrise Dr
Spring Green, WI 53588
608-588-2502