PhysioArt Center – Dance & Physiotherapy

PhysioArt Center – Company Profile

PhysioArt Center was founded in 2005 by the physiotherapist Andriani Nikolaidou, in private facilities in Nea Smyrni, Athens.

She works with dancers using the trigger point method (trigger points are hyperirritable spots in skeletal muscle which can cause pain), through which rapid improvement in all kinds of dance moves in all forms of dance can be achieved.

Andriani Nikolaidou offers a unique service in Greece, passing on her knowledge gained from teachers abroad to dancers here in Greece so that they can apply the trigger point method for themselves.

In addition to this, the PhysioArt Center has never abandoned its patients who have supported the company over the years, since 1994. It continues to provide treatment for anyone suffering from problems which can be helped by physiotherapy, dancers or otherwise, at its facilities in Nea Smyrni.

Our Philosophy

Respect and sensitivity to the patient's problem are the values which govern all of our operations. A detailed assessment of the problems faced by each patient is made; in order determine the therapeutic approach which will provide the best treatment and most rapid recovery.

Our Goals

With regard to dancers, our main concern is that they should learn about trigger (pressure) points in order to apply the method themselves and be able to improve any dance movement they wish, for greater

• speed,
• strength and
• endurance

during classes, rehearsals and performances.

With regard to patients, our goals remain

• the relief of pain,
• the reduction of swelling or edema,
• the improvement of motility and balance
• the return to normal activity,

within the shortest possible time, without further problems.

Our Vision

The vision of the PhysioArt Center is to expand its activities throughout Greece. The company has already made moves in this direction and is active all over the Attica region, as well as in Thessaloniki and Kastoria.

The Way We Work

For patients: First of all the patient/dancer’s medical history is taken, and by analysis of subjective and objective findings the most effective course of treatment can be recommended.

For dancers: Apart from personal treatment, seminars on the application of trigger points are also held, according to the dance movements which are to be improved, at dance schools in the Attica region, as well as in the Prefectures of Thessaloniki and Kastoria.

In more detail, the steps to be taken in order for these seminars to take place are as follows:

1. The dance school or the dancer interested in a seminar contacts the PhysioArt Center
2. A time is set for the lecture/seminar to be held on applying pressure to the muscles of the upper and lower limbs to improve the specific dance moves with regard to their range, strength, speed and endurance.
3. The Director of the dance school undertakes the organization of the seminar. Within the Attica region the minimum number of participants is 15 persons, and for outside Attica: 20 persons.
4. The lecture/seminar is held at the chosen location. Duration: 5 hours, with a short break in the middle.
   Each seminar involves use of:
   • a portable orthopedic table,
   • screen – projector – computer,
   • colored chalks to mark the points and
   • special sticks for applying pressure.
5. Certificates of attendance are issued to participants if requested (not certification for teaching what they have learned to others!).

Andriani Nikolaidou: Biographical Note

Andriani Nikolaidou was born in Miami, Florida (U.S.A.). She is the daughter of Pavlos Nikolaidis, Professor of Architecture at the University of Miami.

Her family traces its roots back to Asia Minor, in Smyrna (on her father’s side) and Aivali (on her mother’s side).

In 1992, she graduated from the Technological Educational Institute of Athens, and during her studies she also worked as an intern at

1. The NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR THE REHABILITATION OF THE HANDICAPPED
2. The ATHENS NAVAL HOSPITAL
3. The Κ.Α.Τ. ACCIDENT HOSPITAL, ATHENS

During her career she initially worked with orthopaedic surgery patients, dealing with fractures, knee, hip and shoulder replacement, sports injuries, arthritis of the knee and hip, backache and cervical neck syndrome.

Her restless spirit, however, led her to the study, research and application of specific techniques, such as TRIGGER POINTS, MANUAL THERAPY and TAPING MOBILIZATION, which applied internationally in the U.S. and Europe with very impressive results in all age groups.

Publication Presentations at International Conferences

This intellectual and practical search for the ideal therapeutic outcome led to studies which produced research papers ultimately presented at major conferences:

• THRIASIO HOSPITAL “ONE-DAY CONFERENCE ON LOWER BACK PAIN” (1997)
  Participation on the theme: “Lower back pain and the Application of TRIGGER POINT THERAPY”
• SYMPOSIUM OF PHYSIOTHERAPY & PHYSICAL MEDICINE (KEFALONIA, 1998) (INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE)
  Participation on the theme: “Cervical Neck Syndrome and the Application of TRIGGER POINTS”
• “ESTIA” FOUNDATION OF NEA SMYRNI (1998)
  Participation on the same theme
• SYMPOSIUM OF PHYSIOTHERAPY & PHYSICAL MEDICINE (KEFALONIA, 1999) (INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE)
  Participation on the theme: “Shoulder pain and the Application of TRIGGER POINTS”
• ANNUAL CONFERENCE OF THE HELLENIC PHYSICAL THERAPY ASSOCIATION (1999, THESSALONIKI)
  Participation on the same theme
• SYMPOSIUM OF PHYSIOTHERAPY & PHYSICAL MEDICINE (KEFALONIA, 2000) (INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE)
  Participation on the theme: “CONTINUOUS PASSIVE MOVEMENT (CPM) HISTORICAL RETROSPECT AND APPLICATION TODAY”
• ANNUAL CONFERENCE OF THE HELLENIC PHYSICAL THERAPY ASSOCIATION (VOLOS, 2001)
  Participation on the same theme
• SYMPOSIUM OF PHYSIOTHERAPY & PHYSICAL MEDICINE (KEFALONIA, 2003) (INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE)
  Participation on the theme: Dancer’s Fractures: TRIGGER POINTS AND MANUAL THERAPY
• ANNUAL CONFERENCE OF THE HELLENIC PHYSICAL THERAPY ASSOCIATION – (ATHENS WAR MUSEUM, 2003)
  Participation on the theme: Dancer’s Fractures: TRIGGER POINTS AND MANUAL THERAPY
• INTERNATIONAL DANCE COUNCIL (CID): ATHENS
  Participation and presentation of a workshop at the International Dance Organization Conference, 2008
• INTERNATIONAL DANCE COUNCIL CID: MALAGA
  Participation and presentation of a workshop at the International Dance Organization Conference, 2009

In 1994, she opened her specialized physiotherapy studio, and keeps pace with the latest technology and developments in the field. The studio is equipped with state-of-the-art technology in physiotherapy machines and equipment. At the same time she continued her research into new methods of rehabilitation, and in 1997 she met Dimitris Kostopoulos, founded of the Hands On Company which trains physiotherapists in Trigger Point and Manual techniques for the problems of spine, and upper and lower limbs.

Dimitris Kostopoulos, owner of eight physiotherapy studios in New York, holder of two doctorates, a published writer on these subjects and a great teacher, generously taught her the basic techniques, which proved to be the spark for her ongoing study and research into the problems of improving the technique of dancers.

In 2005 she met and worked with Marika Molnar, the physiotherapist of the New York City Ballet, who selflessly shared her vast experience in the types of fractures suffered by dancers.

She has been a member of the International Dance Council (CID) since 2008.

Participation in International Conferences

• Participation in the International Conference on Dance Medicine, with presentation of special techniques to expand extensions for classical ballet dancers and improve all movements of classical dance.
• Participation in a conference at the Harkness Center, New York - a special clinic for treatment of dancer’s fractures and other injuries. Theme of Conference: Principles of Dance Medicine, clinical assessment of the dancer. 25-36? January 2007.
• Participation in a conference at the Harkness Center, New York - a special clinic for treatment of dancer’s fractures and other injuries. Theme of Conference: Principles of Dance Medicine, clinical assessment of the dancer. 26-27 July 2007.
• Participation in a conference at the Harkness Center, New York - a special clinic for treatment of dancer’s fractures and other injuries. Theme of Conference: Principles of Dance Medicine, clinical assessment of the dancer 28-29 July 2007.
• Participation in the Annual IADMS Conference, in Stockholm, Sweden, (International Association for Dance Medicine & Science). 2005
• Participation in a seminar on dancer’s fractures at the University Hospital of New York, NY. 2007
• Participation the Annual IADMS Conference, at The Hague, Holland (International Association for Dance Medicine & Science). 2009