About DancePrehab
our story

Founded in 2017 initially as a passion project by two compassionate dancers-turned-PTs to merge their teaching, performance, and clinical experience, DANCE|PREHAB Physical Therapy & Performance has now grown to be a leader in dance rehabilitation, training, and continues to push for higher standards of education and health advocacy in youth dance training.
As a clinic, DANCE|PREHAB saw humble beginnings at Pilates Encore located in Orange, CA in 2018, found continued at OC Music & Dance in Irvine CA in 2020, and eventually we found our way to OC Performance Coaches in Laguna Hills, CA. In 2023, we established a secondary satellite location in Tustin, CA housed at N10 Dance Studions.


At DANCE|PREHAB, providing support has always started with hearing the needs of our community. Our responses are crafted and drawn from our own individual experiences from dance student, to dance teacher/coach, to professional dancers, and now as performing arts physical therapists.

The last few years have seen a rise in the demand of dance training and movement. Our experiences in working with dancers across the whole life spectrum continues to inform us that, while we are dancers, we also need to acknowledge the human behind the dancer, especially those who are continuing to grow and develop into their human selves. On paper we're a physical therapy clinic, but at heart, we are the teachers, educators, and support that we wish we had when we were dancing.

As DANCE|PREHAB continues to grow, and we aim to uphold our standard of physical therapy & rehabilitation, health education, and physical health support for dancers in the greater Los Angeles and southern California region.

our mission

Helping movement artists on all walks of life find proactivity in their physical rehabilitation and preparation to achieve and fulfill their movement and artistic potentials.

our vision

Elevating and redefining the experience of support and care by creating spaces for learning, application, and accountability to support movement artist resilience and longevity.

Team

DR. ROBERT TSAI
PT, DPT

PERFORMANCE PHYSICAL THERAPIST
OWNER/CEO

DR. CLAIRE SPIVAK
PT, DPT

PERFORMANCE PHYSICAL THERAPIST

DR. LIZZY ROTHSTEIN
PT, DPT

PERFORMANCE PHYSICAL THERAPIST

CINDY LOPEZ

CLIENT CARE COORDINATOR

Rob

DR. ROBERT TSAI | PT, DPT

DOCTOR OF PHYSICAL THERAPY
BA COMMUNICATION THEORY / DANCE PERFORMANCE MINOR
DANCE|PREHAB FOUNDER

Originally from Taipei, Taiwan, Rob received his undergraduate degrees in Communication Theory, Dance Performance, and his Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Chapman University in Orange, CA.

As a lover of movement, Rob’s entrance into dance began with breakin’ and hip-hop culture and eventually led to studying classical modern dance techniques. Rob danced professionally in the Los Angeles commercial industry for 8 years prior to pursuing physical therapy.

As a physical therapist, Rob's experience includes supporting youth, pre-professionals, collegiate students in their training as well as professionals in the concert, commercial, and theme park environments.

Rob is passionate about creating environments and learning opportunities for dancers to explore their physical capabilities. DANCE|PREHAB is the intersection of Rob's experiences across the board, and supports the local dance community across all age ranges via physical therapy, strength and conditioning, and injury risk reduction education.

Additional Experience:
‣ Dance Science Guest lecturer (Chapman University, CSU Long Beach, Trinity Laban Dance Science, and others.)
‣ Former resident physical therapist - University of California, Irvine dance department.
‣ Kinesiological Motion Analysis Lab Assistant Lecturer - Chapman University Dept. of Physical Therapy
‣ Research presentations, webinars, movement workshops for the International Association of Dance Medicine and Science (IADMS), and the Performing Arts Medicine Association (PAMA).

Claire

DR. CLAIRE SPIVAK | PT, DPT

B.S. KINESIOLOGY EXERCISE SCIENCE
DOCTOR OF PHYSICAL THERAPY

Claire’s love for movement and desire to pursue physical therapy was shaped by her dance background. While navigating various injuries of her own, Claire realized the strong need to advance the standard of care for artist-athletes.

Originally from the San Francisco Bay Area, Claire’s dance training began at Professional Ballet School/Young Artists’ Ballet Theatre where she danced pre-professionally and attended summer intensives at Kirov Academy of Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, and Ballet West.

Claire continued her dance training at California State University Long Beach and graduated with a B.S. in Kinesiology, with an emphasis in Exercise Science. She then went on to earn her Doctorate in Physical Therapy at Chapman University, graduating with honors. Throughout her clinical rotations, Claire gained experience in working with a diverse patient population and has had the rewarding privilege of treating dancers and performing artists.

Claire aims to foster a collaborative and exploratory space where artist-athletes are supported, challenged, and empowered. She is passionate about providing individualized, goal-centered care to enhance performance and longevity in the studio, on stage, and beyond.

Aside from dance medicine, Claire’s other clinical interests include pelvic health, vestibular rehab, and mindfulness-based interventions. Claire is extremely excited and honored to join the DANCE|PREHAB team! "

Lizzy

DR. LIZZY ROTHSTEIN | PT, DPT

DOCTOR OF PHYSICAL THERAPY
B.A. PSYCHOLOGY

Originally from the Bay Area, Lizzy’s love for dance developed at a young age. She danced competitively growing up and continued to dance while attending the University of California, Berkeley. She earned her undergraduate degree in Psychology and served as Captain of the Cal Dance Team.
Lizzy went on to dance professionally for the Golden State Warriors and returned to UC Berkeley as the Head Coach of the Cal Dance Team. She then continued on to receive her Doctorate degree in Physical Therapy from the University of Southern California.
Lizzy is passionate about helping shape the next generation of artists-athletes both in the clinic and in the studio. As the current Head Coach of the UCLA Dance Team, she continues to serve as a professional dancer, choreographer, and dance educator in Southern California.
As a physical therapist, Lizzy has worked on a number of professional stage productions in dance and theater, and is dedicated to providing quality care to past and current performers of all ages. She emphasizes a holistic care approach considering the intersection of mind and body to optimize performance on and off stage

Lizzy is excited to bring both her physical therapy and dance expertise to Dance|Prehab and is grateful to be part of a community that supports fellow movers in unlocking their full potential!

Cindy

CINDY LOPEZ

CLIENT CARE COORDINATOR
B.A. DANCE SCIENCE

Cindy has been dancing for over 15 years in all genres of dance from ballet, modern, contemporary, hip-hop, African, house, salsa, and folklorico. She started as a gymnast in high school and later found a deep passion for dance in Jr. College. She graduated from CSULB with a B.A. in Dance Science in May of 2022 and is currently applying for her Master's in Athletic Training.

Cindy hopes to continue to pursue working and educating artists-athletes in a clinical setting. She hopes to continue building bridges for all artist-athletes to be able to feel supported and nourished while gaining a healthy mindset and relationship with dance and performing arts.

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