Stephanie Greenspan

Programs and Courses Taught

PT 704 Pro Bono Experiences

About Me

I have enjoyed working as a clinician in a variety of settings where I have focused on the management of clients with musculoskeletal and neurologic disorders as a board certified specialist in orthopaedic and neurologic physical therapy. My current clinical practice is with recreational to professional dancers and circus artists with a focus on decreasing injury risk and optimizing performance.

My teaching experience includes entry-level and post-professional level education. I have also enjoyed teaching internationally in Kenya and Vietnam. I present at national and international conferences on topics related to my research in performing arts.

Education

I earned my BSed in Sports Medicine from the University of Virginia. My Doctor of Physical Therapy degree was conferred from the University of Southern California. My post-graduate training has included residencies in orthopaedic and neurologic physical therapy, and a fellowship in orthopaedic manual therapy. 

Teaching Interests

I enjoy teaching across the continuum of musculoskeletal and neurologic patient management. In addition, I have a passion for residency and fellowship education.

Scholarly Interests

I am studying the relationship of injuries in the circus arts with prior health status, physical characteristics, and training patterns across different disciplines. In the SMU Motion Analysis Research Center, I have been conducting 3D motion analysis and electromyography research to understand movement patterns and muscle activation in aerial artists. And as part of my work to improve the management of hypermobility in performing artists, I am seeking to validate a tool to screen multisystem involvement for individuals with hypermobility.

Publications

Greenspan S, Stuckey M. Preparation for flight: the physical profile of pre-professional and professional circus artists in the United States. Int J Sports Phys Ther. 2024;19(5):591-608.

Greenspan S, Stuckey M. Untangling risk factors including discipline-specific exposure for pre-professional and professional circus artists in the USA. BMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine. 2023;9(2):e001551.

Greenspan S,  Munro D, Nicholas J, Stubbe J, Stuckey M, Van Rijn RM. Circus-specific extension of the International Olympic Committee 2020 consensus statement: methods for recording and reporting of epidemiological data on injury and illness in sport. BMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine. 2022;8:e001394.

Greenspan S. Injury patterns in subgroups of circus artists by circus discipline: a pilot study. Orthop Phys Ther Practice. 2022;34(3):158-166.

Callahan A, Squires A, Greenspan S. Management of hypermobility in aesthetic performing artists: a review. Orthop Phys Ther Practice. 2022;34(3):136-145.

Greenspan S. Amount and characteristics of injuries in adolescent and adult circus artists: A prospective observational pilot study. Med Probl Perform Art. 2021;36(2):103-107. doi:10.21091/mppa.2021.2013

Jones S.  Hip pain in a child.  In:  Davenport TE, Kulig KK, Sebelski CA, Gordon JG, Watts H, eds.  Diagnosis for Physical Therapists: A Symptom- Based Approach.  Philadelphia, PA: FA Davis; 2012: 898-924.

Demuth S, Jones S.  Poor posture in a child. In: Davenport TE, Kulig KK, Sebelski CA, Gordon JG, Watts H, eds.  Diagnosis for Physical Therapists: A Symptom- Based Approach.  Philadelphia, PA: FA Davis; 2012: 1113-1148.

Jones S, Bellah C, Godges J. A comparison of professional development and leadership activities between graduates and non-graduates of physical therapist clinical residency programs. J Phys Ther Educ. 2008; 22: 85-88.

Professional Affiliations & Memberships

American Physical Therapy Association
International Association of Dance Medicine
American Circus Educators Association

Community Service

ODC Healthy Dancers Clinic
Jackson Clinics Advanced Study Program in Orthopaedics (June 2015) - Instructor
Health Volunteers Overseas

Honors & Awards

SMU FSGP Grant for "Injury incidence and patterns in different circus arts" (May 2018)
SMU Faculty Seed Grant for " Injury patterns and rates in different disciplines within the circus arts" (October 2017)
SMU Curriculum Innovation Award for "Integration of technology and motion analysis software into teaching movement analysis and motor control retraining in the PT Musculoskeletal curriculum." (December 2016)
SMU Teaching with Technology Grant for "Integrating video into movement analysis and retraining for a PT patient case project" (November 2016)