On September 4-5, Lisa A. Casey, D.C., and Randolph K. Offner, D.C. of Flagstaff, Arizona had the exciting opportunity to bring gratefully accepted chiropractic care to a troupe of talented "stage felines" -- no, not pedigree pet show animals, but the very human cast of the celebrated musical "Cats."
Drs. Casey and Offner got involved when Jim Ruttman, who plays the character of "Macavity," called and asked them to travel to Phoenix to treat the company of "Cats" prior to the cast's performance at the Phoenix Civic Plaza. Mr. Ruttman has been part of the traveling "Cats" company the past three years, and had been previously treated by DCs Casey and Offner in California.
Drs. Casey and Offner were very happy to oblige Mr. Ruttman's request and treated many members of the cast including: Kevin McCready (Munkustrap); Leslie Castay (Jellyorum); Natalie Toro (Grizabella), who sings "Memories," the song most popularly identified with "Cats"; Bethany Samuelson (Sillabub); Joseph Favalora (Pouncival); Elaine Wiggins (Demeter); Linda May (Cassandra); Trisha Mitchell (Victoria); Lori Lynch (Rumpleteaser); and Mr. Ruttman. The DCs also treated some "Cats" crew members as well.
According to Dr. Casey, these performers were certainly in need of chiropractic treatment: The "Cats" cast travels extensively, performing eight shows a week, and the rehersal/performance schedule is very fast-paced and hectic. The dancing in the show often requires the performers to be down on all fours, and each show is an intense physical workout.
The DCs commented that approximately 70-80 percent of the performers were suffering from subluxated taluses, and in many of them the doctors found extremity tendonitis conditions typical of overuse injuries. However the DCs, and the two massage therapists who shared their work, agreed that all the cast members had the remarkable muscle tone found only in dancers and other finely trained aerobic athletes.
Drs. Casey and Offner reported that many "Cats" cast members commented on how pleased they were with chiropractic, and that they wished they could get chiropractic treatment at every theater before a show because it greatly improved their performances.
Barbara Migliaccio
Second Assistant Editor
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