A BRIEF HISTORY:   Approximately thirty years ago, there emerged a new specialty area in traditional medicine called Performing Arts Medicine.  Prior to this time, not much was understood about the stresses, strains and lack of a safe working environment experienced daily by those working in the arts. In 1992, the International Foundation for Performing Arts Medicine (IFPAM) was created to become as resource center for those connected with the performing arts:  from ballet dancers to sound engineers, from costume designers to jazz musicians.  It adopted a mission to provide programs in injury prevention education as well as give those seeking help, the necessary medical information they need to begin a path to recovery.  People from all over the world contact IFPAM asking for guidance or for help in finding a health care professional after having experienced symptoms of repetitive strain or overuse type injuries such as: vocal strain, tendinitis or Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, just to name a few.  These injuries may or may not be performance related.

The Foundation provides injury prevention workshops, general medical guidance and information via emails and telephone calls.  It arranges online chats, ongoing forums, recommends books and will contact many of its advisors(both on and off our advisory boards) in seeking answers to your questions.  In addition, IFPAM can support other non-profit organization involved in performing arts medicine and raise funds for treatment of performance related injuries.

The Foundation has two advisory boards: one medical, the other artistic; including a liaison with England’s British Association for Performing Arts Medicine and Germany’s Society for Music Physiology and Performing Arts Medicine.  IFPAM has and will continue to investigate potential dangers artists and production professionals face behind stage, striving toward a healthier and safer working environment.  The art of medicine helps keep us alive. The arts remind us why we are alive.  Let us bring them together." -Janice Palmer.  IFPAM is a registered 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization.