Professional Biography
Lindsay Wallace is currently undertaking the MSc in Performing Arts Medicine at the ISEH.
She completed an undergraduate degree in Sport and Exercise Science whilst studying at the University of Exeter and realised she wanted to use her physiology knowledge to treat people. Having worked as a group exercise instructor and personal trainer whilst at the university, Lindsay decided to become a physiotherapist as the broad scope but high patient contact really appealed to her. Lindsay then completed an MSc in Physiotherapy at King’s College London, and whilst on the course discovered the UCL MSc in Performing Arts Medicine.
With a long background in dance, having danced since being a child she has always been interested in the way the body works, particularly to dance better. Her main style is Latin American and Ballroom dance, and she still manages to combine a competitive dance career with study and work, alongside taking ballet, tap and jazz classes every week. Many dancers get injured, and advice for them is limited - they often don’t know who to see about their injury, and there is not the health and support network that athletes often have access to, or the understanding of the demands placed on dancers by medical professionals.
Being a dancer allows Lindsay to understand exactly what performers do with their bodies, and the pressures they are under to continue training and performing. The phrase “the show must go on” is very true for injured dancers, and it is important to gain their trust when treating them, and to make rehabilitation appropriate and relevant. Lindsay chose the MSc in Performing Arts Medicine to help her develop skills and knowledge of dance medicine, and the many different approaches to treating injured performers in order to be a better clinician.
Lindsay has a particular interest in footwear and injury, as there are so many different dance shoes. Her research project is investigating whether training in different footwear is linked to different injuries or foot and ankle problems, to see how we could make dance training safer. Research suggests that as many as 85% of dancers are injured in a 12 month period, substantially more than in any other sport.