Pole-specific physiotherapy and injury rehabilitation

Physiotherapy-led rehab designed for pole dancers who need more than traditional physiotherapy to return to training safely and confidently.

Physiotherapy and strength and conditioning for pole dancers

Book a rehab consultation

We offer comprehensive virtual consultations so you can access specialist support wherever you are. For face to face sessions, we operate from multiple locations across the East Midlands.

Book a virtual session

Who is it for

Pole dancers who

Struggle with pain, injury or recurring niggles

Traditional physiotherapy didn’t prepare for pole

Are tired of being told to ‘just rest’ or ‘don’t do it’

Want to continue training with safe modifications

Seek specialist, pole-specific rehab

Want safer, more efficient training reducing re-injury risk

Want to understand why they train the way they do

Feel overwhelmed by conflicting advice online

If you’ve completed generic rehab but still don’t trust your body or keep hitting setbacks, this approach offers a clearer, pole-specific path back to training.

The problem with traditional rehab

Focuses on pain relief, not sport demands

Doesn’t prepare the body for the demands of pole

Lacks understanding of pole-specific movement patterns

Polisthenics rehab bridges the gap between recovery and performance, preparing your body for the realities of pole training, not just daily life.

Why Polisthenics is different

At Polisthenics, we combine evidence-based physiotherapy and strength training expertise with years of experience and a deep understanding of pole-specific movement. Unlike generic rehab, we focus on:

Rehab designed for pole dancers that prepares you for pole-specific movements

Targets the root cause, not just where it hurts

Builds strength and resilience with the demands of your training in mind to reduce re-injury risk

Tailored to you working around your injury, goals, training and lifestyle

Helping you understand the what, why and how every step of the way so you can take an active role in your recovery and ongoing management

Flexible and convenient – in-person or virtual sessions so you can train anywhere

Our rehab approach

Our rehab process is structured, progressive and designed to support you from initial assessment through to confident return to training. Each step builds on the last, ensuring your rehab is tailored, purposeful and specific to the demands of pole.

Book your initial consultation

Book online and complete a short intake form before your session. We will review your information and send confirmation details on how to connect to your session.

Assessment and movement analysis

We review your injury history, symptoms, training habits and goals and assess movement, strength, mobility and pole-specific demands.

Identify underlying causes

We determine why the issue occurred, identifying contributing factors such as load management, movement patterns, compensations or strength deficits.

Tailored progressive rehab plan

You’ll receive an individualised rehab plan designed to build capacity, control and resilience while respecting your current symptoms and training demands.

Follow ups and gradual progression

Regular follow ups allow us to monitor progress, adjust loading and complexity and gradually reintroduce dynamic pole movements as your capacity improves.

Pole-specific return to training

We create a clear exit strategy that supports a confident transition into training and self-management, ensuring you’re prepared for the physical demands of pole.

Session format

Virtual consultations available worldwide
Face to face sessions across the East Midlands (please contact us before you book so we can discuss venue availability)

Session length

Initial assessment: 60 minutes
Follow up sessions: 30 minutes

What you need to get started

For virtual sessions you’ll need a reliable internet connection, a device with a camera, microphone and speaker, access to Teams (or similar) and enough space to move. Having access to a pole or another person to assist can be helpful but isn’t essential.
For face to face sessions you don’t need anything

a pole dancing physiotherapist education and teaching a patient

What’s included

Injury assessment and diagnosis

Movement analysis and screening

Individualised rehab program

Return to pole support

Injury prevention strategies

Sports massage and manual therapy if appropriate with in-person appointments

We commonly treat

Shoulder (such as rotator cuff related shoulder pain, tendinopathy, bursitis, instability, dislocation, fracture, labral tear)

Elbow, wrist and hand pain (including tennis elbow, golfers elbow, wrist sprain, TFCC sprain)

Hip, hamstring and groin issues (tendinopathy, strain, labral tear, bursitis)

Neck, upper and lower back and rib pain (strain, sciatica, fracture, nerve pain)

Knee and ankle injuries (ligament sprain, meniscus tear, tendinopathy, ankle sprain)

Overuse or recurring injuries such as tendinopathy/tendonitis, bursitis or arthritis

Acute injuries such as sprains, strains or fractures

Note: this is not an exhaustive list

We’ve written detailed blog posts on common pole injuries, including tennis elbow, hamstring strains and rotator cuff related shoulder pain for deeper understanding.

What you get

Confidence returning to pole

Reduced re-injury risk

Clear progression instead of guesswork

Stronger, more resilient movement

Better understanding of your body and training

Quicker return to pole – less time wasted figuring things out yourself

Rehab is NOT for you if you are

After a quick fix, magic pill and not wanting to put the effort in

Not ready to engage with structured rehab

Working with another physio where approaches would conflict

Pain-free and only want performance coaching

Looking for generic exercise programs

Dealing with an emergency – in that case contact your local emergency services

Ready to get started?

Book a physiotherapy consultation and get a clear plan to return to pole safely or have a look at our courses for self-paced advice.

Book a consultation now

Buy a gift voucher

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to stop pole completely during rehab?

Not necessarily. Where safe, we aim to modify training rather than stop completely, adjusting load, movement and intensity to support recovery.

Is this suitable if I’ve already completed physiotherapy?

Yes. Many patients come to us after traditional physiotherapy didn’t prepare them for the specific demands of pole. Our approach focuses on bridging the gap between rehab and performance.

Is virtual physiotherapy as effective as in-person sessions?

While some hands-on techniques may be limited, virtual physiotherapy is highly effective for providing advice, creating exercise plans and guiding rehabilitation. Many patients see excellent results, especially when they follow the prescribed exercises and attend follow up sessions.

How is this different from strength and conditioning?

Rehab focuses on pain, injury and safe return to training, training focuses on performance, strength and skill progression. If you’re pain-free and only seeking performance improvements, explore training options instead.

How long does rehab usually take?

This varies depending on the injury, training history and goals. Rehab is goal-based rather than time-based, focusing on readiness to return to training safely.

Do you offer packages?

Yes, we offer a bundle that consists of an initial assessment and 2 x follow ups to offer ongoing rehab support, giving you everything you need to get started and keep progressing. Have a look here for further info.

Do you offer gift vouchers?

Yes, we do! Polisthenics gift vouchers can be purchased here and redeemed for any of our services or products, including physiotherapy, coaching, classes, sports massage, courses, webinars and eBooks. Learn more about them here.

Do you offer virtual consultations for non-pole-related injuries or conditions?

Yes, we provide consultations for a wide range of injuries and conditions, including general musculoskeletal issues and sports-related injuries outside of pole dancing, such as aerial, calisthenics or dance.