ABSTRACT
For many artists and performers, their bodies are integral to the realization of their creative goals. They must be physically healthy and strong to endure long hours of practicing and the stress of performing and to ensure career longevity. However, the pressure placed on the body to deliver optimal results—whether those are related to the aesthetics of the “perfect dancer’s body,” or the tirelessness of a pianist’s hands—can have detrimental consequences, such as the development of eating disorders and the incurrence of injuries. Through the lens of eating disorders and injuries, this chapter, divided into two sections, discusses the risks associated with the high demands placed on performers’ bodies. It looks at the psychological and environment factors that contribute to disordered eating and the poor care of artists’ and performers’ bodies. It emphasizes how clinicians can strike a balance between prioritizing clients’ professional growth and their physical and psychological well-being.
