DPT alum shares experience as physical therapist for 42nd Street tour
Annie Chambers ’14 has taken her PT skills on the road as the sole physical therapist with the national tour of 42nd Street. On October 16, 2015, she returned to UNE to talk with current DPT students about her exciting and unique career. She answered questions about acquiring skills, billing, licensing, and the difference between treating professional dancers and the general public
Chambers works for Neuro Tour, the touring division of Neurosport Physical Therapy based in Atlanta, Georgia. She began working for Neurosport shortly after graduation, and after working in a clinical setting she decided she was ready for a change. Her love of travel and dance made Neuro Tour a perfect fit.
In September, Chambers began traveling with the national tour of 42nd Street. The large cast and fast-paced tap dancing show keeps her busy. “They come to me with so many different types of questions and I love that I get to just be that resource for them” Chambers told students. “I get to be a PT, but in such a unique way because I get to help them prevent injuries. Often times PTs are on the back end. Once someone has already gotten injured or already has a diagnosis then they get physical therapy. I get to be preventative.”
On a typical day, Chambers has to be on the tour bus along with the cast at 7 a.m. After sound check she spends about 30 minutes consulting with and treating the performers, and she remains on call throughout the show. “This is their job. They can’t not perform if they have a little pain here or there, so it’s my job to screen them and if it is something serious refer them to a doctor.”
She talked about how rewarding it is to play a role in the success of the show. “These people are so talented and they’re pushing their bodies every night. They are performing with their full hearts, their full bodies. If I can just help them do their jobs, it’s amazing.”