Ravinia 2026 Issue 6

Shirley Ryan AbilityLab performing arts medicine patient Jack TheShowMust GoOn e Performing Arts Medicine Program, which was founded at Shirley Ryan Abil- ityLab in , o ers performance-ori- ented medical evaluation and treatment of neuromusculoskeletal issues that oc- cur in performers of all types, including dancers like Jack. Performing arts medicine physicians, physical therapists, and occupational therapists treat the whole patient, with attention to primary pain and symptoms and re-injury prevention. Compre- hensive services include performing arts-focused physical and occupational therapy; diagnostics including MRI, X-ray, and ultrasound imaging; and, when needed, injections for managing acute or chronic pain and in ammation. “Most importantly, the philosophy behind our program is to keep per- formers participating in their art,” said Maria Reese, MD, medical director of the performing arts medicine program since . A er a medical examination by Dr. Reese and an X-ray analysis, Jack’s team at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab created a plan of care that included a short course of outpatient physical therapy tailored to his needs as a dancer. In only ve sessions, Jack made amazing progress. He worked with a physical therapist to strengthen and stabilize his leg and to reduce his pain. rough neuromuscular re-educa- tion, he learned how to use the correct muscles and to adjust timing when he red his muscles and moved. Also, his physical therapist gave him exercises and dance modi cations to work on at home to promote exibility, improve his range of motion, and help with proper foot mechanics. Fortunately, Jack was able to perform in his show—and he has continued to dance ever since. “I feel like I’m stronger than I’ve ever been,” said Jack. OnCall for theArts: Performing ArtsMedicine&RaviniaFestival Jack’s story is one example of how Shir- ley Ryan AbilityLab’s performing arts medicine team helps artists stay in peak performance. In addition to providing outpatient therapy to performers like Jack, Shirley Ryan AbilityLab maintains relationships with many performing arts institutions in the Chicago area, including Ravinia Festival. In fact, Shirley Ryan AbilityLab has served as Ravinia Festival’s on- call performing arts medicine partner for more than three decades, provid- ing world-class medical care during Ravinia Festival’s season of more than performances every June through September. On-call care is available not only to performing artists but also to stagehands, lighting crew, and produc- tion sta . Shirley Ryan AbilityLab physiat- rists—doctors who specialize in physical medicine and rehabilitation—can treat the common injuries and illnesses associated with performing and touring. Doctors are available for phone consul- tations with artists and their teams, and they are equipped to provide medical care onsite during dress rehearsal, tech run-through, and the performance itself. As many Ravinia Festival artists travel from around the country and the world for a single concert or a short run of performances, Dr. Reese said medical care o en is focused on quickly triag- ing acute needs on the day of a per- formance, versus o ering longer-term treatments. For example, physiatrists can assist with interventions for pain or in am- mation, prescribe medications, coordi- nate care with an artist’s regular doctor at home, and provide onsite evaluations and therapy for performance-related issues. ey also can help provide med- ical advice and specialist consultation, if needed, for a variety of medical con- cerns that may arise while touring. Dr. Reese says that, o entimes, it’s not realistic to tell a performer to rest or take time o during a busy tour or RAVINIA.ORG • RAVINIAMAGAZINE 21 COURTESY SHIRLEY RYAN ABILITYLAB