Acupuncture & Manual Therapy
for Dancers in NYC
Specialized care informed by decades inside New York’s dance and performance community
Trusted by dancers across NYC—from rehearsal studios to the stage
Revive + Root brings over 25 years of experience working with dancers in both clinical and performance settings.
Megan Richardson, founder of the practice, has treated dancers throughout New York City, including at NYU’s Harkness Center for Dance Injuries, as well as supporting performers on Broadway and within professional dance companies and conservatories.
This work has shaped a clinical approach that understands: The physical demands of rehearsal and performance cycles The nuance of technique-specific movement patterns The balance between pushing limits and preserving longevity.
Care is not generalized. It is informed by the realities of how dancers train, perform, and recover.
Care designed for the way dancers actually move
Whether you are preparing for performance, managing an injury, or maintaining your body between rehearsals, treatment is tailored to your individual demands—not a generalized protocol.
We focus on:
Resolving pain and dysfunction at the root
Supporting efficient, sustainable movement
Helping you return to and continue performing with confidence
Supporting the dance community
We recognize that many professional dancers navigate demanding physical careers alongside limited access to consistent healthcare.
As a practice with deep roots in the dance world, we offer reduced rates for professional dancers as part of our commitment to making high-quality, individualized care more accessible.
This reflects our ongoing investment in the long-term health and sustainability of the dance community.
How We Work With Dancers
We offer three distinct treatment approaches, each designed to support your body in different ways—while grounded in the same commitment to individualized, movement-informed care: acupuncture, integrative orthopedic manual therapy, and massage therapy.
Acupuncture for Dancers
Root-cause care for injury, recovery, and whole-body balance
Our acupuncture approach is built on our integrative orthopedic care model, addressing both local musculoskeletal injuries and the underlying systemic patterns that contribute to them.
Each session begins with a functional orthopedic assessment, tailored to the specific demands of your dance style, training load, and performance schedule.
Treatment may include:
~Orthopedic acupuncture
~Dry needling
~Motor point and trigger point work
~Cupping and gua sha
~Nervous system regulation
~Movement-informed treatment strategies
~Herbal medicine
This service targets:
~Acute injuries with active inflammation and pain
~Persistent or recurring injuries
~Complex or multi-layered pain patterns
~Fatigue, stress, or systemic imbalances impacting performance
Integrative Orthopedic Manual Therapy
Hands-on treatment and guided return to movement
This service focuses on hands-on orthopedic care combined with movement-based rehabilitation, making it ideal for dancers who benefit from a more manual, exercise-integrated approach (without the needles!).
Each session includes a functional orthopedic evaluation specific to your technique, movement patterns, and performance demands.
Session may include:
~Myofascial release and targeted manual therapy
~Muscle energy techniques
~Joint mobilization
~Cupping and soft tissue work
~Corrective and therapeutic exercise
~Progressive return-to-dance planning
Ideal for:
~Acute injuries and recovery phases
~Movement restrictions or imbalances
~Dancers returning to full workload
after time off
~Those who prefer a hands-on and active rehab approach without acupuncture
Massage Therapy for Dancers
Recovery-focused bodywork, informed by lived experience
Our massage therapy offers the restorative benefits of bodywork, with the added advantage of being delivered by a clinician who is also a professional dancer.
Sessions are tailored to support:
~Muscle recovery and circulation
~Tension release and relaxation
~General maintenance between
rehearsals and performances
Ideal for:
~Repetitive strain patterns
~Performance fatigue
~Recovering from the physical and sensory demands of dance
Movement. Longevity. Resilience.
From rehearsal studios to performance stages across New York City, we’ve supported dancers in moving with greater ease, recovering from injury, and sustaining their careers over time.
Because your body is not separate from your work—it is at the center of it.
Not sure where to start?
If you’re unsure which service is the best fit, Acupuncture for Dancers is often the most comprehensive starting point, as it addresses both injury and underlying patterns.
Our team is also happy to guide you based on your needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is orthopedic acupuncture?
Orthopedic Sports and Dance Acupuncture focuses on treating musculoskeletal pain, injuries, and dysfunction. It combines targeted traditional acupuncture with modern orthopedic assessment to address both the root cause and local symptoms.
At Revive+ Root treatment goes beyond needling the area of pain. We evaluate how the body moves as a system by identifying patterns of tension, compensation and imbalance.
Treatments may include:
Acupuncture & dry needling to release tight muscles and trigger points
Motor point needling to improve muscle activation and firing patterns.
Fascial techniques to reduce adhesions and restore tissue mobility along kinetic chains
Electroacupuncture (neurofunctional acupuncture) to improve neuromuscular function, reduce pain, and support healing
Manual therapy and cupping to improve circulation and recovery
Do you offer reduced rates for dancers?
We offer reduced rates for professional dancers as part of our commitment to supporting a community that often faces high physical demands alongside limited access to consistent care.
Eligibility is determined through intake and is based on professional background and current work.
If you’re unsure whether this applies to you, our team is happy to guide you.
Visit our FAQ or explore our educational resources to help you make informed decisions about your care.
If you're not sure what service is best for you, please Email Us
Our Services
Pain & Performance Care
Orthopedic Acupuncture + Dry Needling
Targeted care for pain, injuries, and movement limitations using orthopedic acupuncture and dry needling - ideal for muscle tension, trigger points, sports related injuries.
Natural Facial Rejuvenation
Cosmetic Acupuncture + Microneedling
Facial rejuvenation that works with your body, not against it—to improve tone, elasticity, and overall skin health without toxins or downtime.
Hands on Therapy & Recovery
Massage + Manual Therapy
Hands-on therapies including orthopedic massage, muscle energy, craniosacral, cupping, Graston and gua sha to improve mobility and tissue health.
Whole Body Health
Herbal Medicine + Holistic Health
Customized herbal medicine and lifestyle guidance to support healing, restore balance and address the root causes of dysfunction.