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About

Dr. Emily Scherb is a physical therapist with a lifelong passion for understanding human movement.

She’s been a practicing aerialist for almost 30 years and has dangled from balloons, danced in the air, and swung from trapezes. That background inspired her to specialize her practice on circus and aerial artists. She has a proven track record of helping patients who have not seen results with traditional physical therapy due to her unique perspective on how the body works both on the ground and in the air.

As an educator, she travels the world teaching circus artists, instructors, and healthcare professionals about the unique physical demands and challenges of training the body to do incredible feats.

She received her graduate degree from Washington University in St. Louis and now lives in Seattle, where she works with professional and pre-professional circus artists. She is the Resident Physical Therapist at the School of Acrobatics and New Circus Arts and the Company Physical Therapist for the contemporary circus company Acrobatic Conundrum. Emily is on the board of Seattle Dance and Performing Arts Medicine which helps Seattle performing artists get the healthcare they need.

Her first book, Applied Anatomy of Aerial Artists, was published in August 2018.

Emily is an internationally recognized lecturer and has presented at conferences for organizations including Performing Arts Medicine Association, International Association of Dance Medicine and Science, American Circus Educators, and American Physical Therapy Association.

C.V. for Emily Scherb, PT, DPT

To learn how you can work with Emily, click here.


Emily In the Media

Book Reviews:

Circus Talk

Applied Anatomy of Aerial Arts – A Treasure for Circus Libraries”

“Applied Anatomy of Aerial Artists is a straight forward and immensely useful manual for any aerialist and any circus artist or circus teacher who wants their student to progress, avoid injury and gain the strength necessary to do the amazing work they do.”

  Born to Fly Teacher Training

“Emily has created a fluid, informed read on anatomy for aerialists without fuss or pretense.  She gets straight to the point of what aerialists need to know in order to move better.”

“THIS is the resource I wish was available when I first began my aerial journey”

“Applied Anatomy of Aerial Arts is jam packed with SCIENCE, informative images, aerial technique, useful exercises, and the highly sought after topic of injury prevention. Emily masterfully presents a huge amount of information in this accessible and concise text.” – Constance Echo Palmer

American Circus Educators


Podcasts:

Dance Well Podcast Episode 23: Flying Safe the Unique Demands of Aerial Arts

 

Sarah Scott of Off the Pole Podcast Episode 17: The Circus Doc Interview Aerial Anatomy

 

Artist Athlete Episode 20 There are All Sorts of Ways to Move OR You Can Fix Stupid

 

Bendy Bodies with the Hypermobility MD Episode 14: Stabilizing the Hypermobile Body through Circus Arts with Emily Scherb, PT, DPT

 

Healthy Wealthy & Smart Episode 546: Dr. Emily Scherb: Working with Circus Artists Beyond the Bigtop

 

 Don’t Break a Leg Podcast: “Circus Hurts!” ft. Emily Scherb, DPT

 

 The Expecting Aerialist: 1) Pre-Natal & Postpartum Training with The Circus Doc, Dr. Emily Scherb 2) Relaxing & Training with The Circus Doc 3) Healthy Shoulders with The Circus Doc – Season Finale

 Dance PT Podcast Episode #7: Emily Scherb – Physical Therapy for Aerial Dance

 

CircSci Podcast: Pole Sport Injury Reduction, How to Structure a Pole Class, and Self-Determination Theory ft. Dr. Joanna Nicholas and guest host Emily Scherb

 

Did you move today? Podcast: Meet Dr. Emily Scherb and Move with Her!

 


Workshop Review:

Get Circus Strong: My Big Takeaways from the Anatomy of Circus with Emily Scherb


Other:

Academy of Orthopaedic Physical Therapy Spotlight Series Meet Dr. Emily Scherb, PT, DPT

 Reima Gym Blog Interview Feature My Big Takeaways From The Anatomy of Circus With Emily Scherb

 American Youth Circus Organization HUP Squad Interview with AYCO Board Member Emily Scherb

American Youth Circus Organization HUP Squad Interview with Emily Scherb pt. 2: Let’s Talk Injury

 Off The Pole Videocast #017 The Circus Doc – Aerial Anatomy

 

American Physical Therapy Association Independent Study Course 32.3 – Clinical Management of Circus Artists – Course Author Emily Scherb, PT, DPT

American Physical Therapy Association Low Back Pain in Circus Artists – Publication Author Emily Scherb, PT, DPT

Circus Now Moving From The Core: An Anatomy Lesson

 

SANCA Article The Circus Doc Created a Book For Aerialists

 

Island Lake Camp Alumni Circus Journey