The Clinical Characteristics of Pain and the Usefulness of Pain Clinics from the Perspective of Professional Ballet Dancers in Korea

Kim, Chang Jae

Abstract

BACKGROUND
There has recently been a rapid increase in the number of pain clinics and significant advancement in the treatment of pain in Korea. Therefore, this study was conducted to identify possible problems associated with pain clinics and to use this information to help design future pain clinics. This assessment was conducted from the perspective of professional ballet dancers, who are at high risk for pain like other athletes. METHODS: One-hundred professional ballet dancers responded to questionnaires designed to ascertain their preference for different types of clinics, the extent of the pain they experience, and their overall opinion of pain clinics. RESULTS: All of the respondents complained of pain in one or more sites and reported that they had visited some type of clinic for treatment at least once. Overall, the respondents preferred using the following methods to treat pain: orthopedic surgery (76 dancers), oriental medicine (49 dancers), and therapy at pain clinic (48 dancers). Fifty-three percent of the 48 dancers who had received treatment at pain clinics were satisfied with their treatment. Forty-four percent of the 52 dancers who had not been treated at a pain clinic had no knowledge of the existence of such facilities. CONCLUSIONS: This survey revealed that, although professional ballet dancers have a high prevalence of pain, many have no knowledge of pain clinics. Therefore, efforts should be made by pain clinics to make information regarding their facilities widely available to professional ballet dancers so they can serve the widest range of clientele.