Supporting Dancers in Healing: Treating Eating Disorders at Every Age

In the world of dance, the pursuit of physical perfection can often overshadow health and well-being. While dance fosters creativity, discipline, and expression, it can also bring intense pressure to maintain a certain body image - especially in ballet, contemporary, and competitive styles. These pressures can contribute to the development of eating disorders, affecting dancers of all ages, from young students to seasoned professionals.

At Restoring Waves, we understand the unique challenges dancers face and provide compassionate, specialized care for those struggling with disordered eating.

Why Are Dancers at Higher Risk?

Dancers are often praised for their grace, strength, and appearance. Unfortunately, this external validation can lead to:

• Body image dissatisfaction

• Perfectionism and performance anxiety

• Restrictive eating as a way to "fit the mold"

• Fear of weight gain impacting casting opportunities

These risk factors can emerge early. Even young dancers may internalize harmful messages about weight and body shape, sometimes leading to behaviors such as restricting food, over-exercising, or hiding their eating habits. Adults, too, may struggle in silence - especially those returning to dance or transitioning into different body stages (e.g., post-injury, post-pregnancy, or aging).

Recognizing the Signs

Eating disorders often go unnoticed in dance because restrictive behaviors may be normalized or even encouraged. Warning signs can include:

• Obsessive focus on food, weight, or body image

• Avoiding meals or eating in isolation

• Fatigue, frequent injuries, or irregular/absent menstrual cycles

• Mood swings, anxiety, or withdrawal from others

• Excessive exercise beyond dance class

If you're a parent, coach, or dancer noticing these signs, it's important to reach out for help early. Eating disorders are serious - but treatable.

Our Therapeutic Approach

At Restoring Waves, we tailor treatment to meet the individual needs of each dancer - honoring both their identity and their artistry. Our approach may include:

• Individual therapy focused on building a healthy relationship with food, body, and self

• Family-based treatment for young dancers, involving parents as vital support systems. For adult dancers, this is optional but could look like a parent or partner joining to learn more.

• Collaboration with nutrition counseling, primary care, and physical therapy with dance-knowledgable dietitians, doctors, and physical therapists.

• Mind-body interventions, such as dance therapy, yoga, or somatic therapy, to reconnect with the body in a nurturing way.

• Collaboration with dance instructors to create supportive, body-positive environments.

We believe that recovery doesn't mean giving up dance - it means dancing with freedom, strength, and self-respect.

A Message to Dancers

You are more than a body. You are an artist, an athlete, a whole person. Healing from an eating diosrder is not a detour from your dance journey - it's a step toward reclaiming your passion with integrity and care.

No matter your age or stage, recovery is possible. And you don't have to do it alone.

Ready to take the first step?

If you or a dancer you love is struggling with food or body image, we're here to help. Contact us to schedule.