Celebs battle dancing with the scars

Osteopaths deal with the aches of Shortland Street star Siobhan Marshall and her partner Charlie Billington. Photo / Michael Craig

Dancing with the Stars' backstage area is resembling a casualty ward as Kiwi celebs battle strains, sprains and other medical nasties.

As the show enters its third week, the Herald on Sunday can reveal seven osteopaths have been hired to keep contenders on their feet.

Competitors - including Chrystal Chenery, Jay-Jay Feeney and Teuila Blakely - have been queuing for treatment as the competition takes a physical toll.

Sore backs, necks, legs and feet are the most common complaints. And radio and TV host Simon Barnett was this week nursing a dislocated knee after his stunning tango with dance partner Vanessa Cole.

"We are like the walking wounded before and after every show," Feeney said. "Practising and performing in high heels is the killer for me. My feet and toes are swollen and bruised."

The osteopaths, from Bodyworx Healthcare in Mt Eden are stationed at South Pacific Studios during filming. "Celebs and dancers are encouraged to see an osteo during the weekend to deal with any issues," a TV3 spokeswoman said. "They are also available throughout the week."

Blakely has had treatment for muscle spasms and hip problems.

"Last week my body just jammed from the hip to shoulder," she said. "I couldn't bend over and my back was frozen. I woke up [on Monday] and my right side was frozen from my head to my ankles."

Nerida Cortese gets a tune-up. Photo / Michael Craig

MediaWorks had not hired the support staff because of the age of some contestants, rather the move was a "duty of care" and standard in the professional dancing industry.

But age is a factor for Pam Corkery. "Basically, my back ... I've rooted it," she joked. "I will be 60 next year and the dancing requires you to be bent like a noodle. The osteos are like magicians. Any jobs I do now, I am going to demand one on site."

Jeremy King, director at Bodyworx Healthcare, believed the injury list will grow as competition intensifies.

Surfer Maz Quinn was first to be eliminated from the show, and the second elimination is tomorrow night.