Circus Fusion 2026: Circus Medicine Education

Turn what you love into what you do. Grow expertise. Build your career.

In this comprehensive course for healthcare providers I will give you the tools and teach you exactly how to fill your clinic with circus patients, feel confident getting them back to training and set yourself apart in a crowded clinical landscape.
Format

Hybrid
Course

Starting date

March
16

Presenter

Dr. Emily
Scherb, PT

CE Credit Available

30.6 Hours

Duration

16 weeks

Price

$1997
$1597

$1997
$1797

$1997

$1997

Starting Soon!

Join the Waitlist

Get updates and action steps you can use while you wait... and access to the lowest course pricing!
Thank you!
"Emily teaches you not only how to treat, but how to better connect with this very specialized population. Its an amazing opportunity to build your skills as a PT and to network. This class is well worth the investment."
- Kindra McDougall, PT, DPT

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Early Bird Discount

$400 OFF until February 16th at midnight PT

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Learning the Ropes Discount

$200 OFF until February 23rd at midnight PT

Circus artists are different.
They deserve knowledgeable clinicians.

This is the continuing education course that will fill gap between what you learned in school about working with a general population and the specific needs of circus patients who can (or would like to be able to) touch their butts to their heads, do a split, a straight arm inversion, or a double twisting double.

Over 16 weeks learn the exact framework that "The Circus Doc" Dr. Emily Scherb, PT uses to assess circus patients and accelerate their rehab.

Join the course that will give you a roadmap to understand how circus bodies work differently and will help you find your niche practice with this rapidly growing athletic population!

Anatomy looks a little different when we're talking about circus. 

Hi, I'm Emily! 

And, when I started my practice, I never imagined I'd have a clinic FULL of circus patients, and be able to set myself apart in a crowded sea of healthcare pros - but now it's my reality.
Over 30 years ago I found myself on a teeterboard for the first time. I rapidly progressed to trying every circus discipline I could find. I knew circus would be a part of my life in one way or another- first as a performer, then as a physical therapist caring for the bodies of artists and people I loved.

In grad school I had questions that my professors had trouble answering. I looked everywhere for courses that would help me learn more about how "normal" measurements applied to circus artists with extraordinary goals.To try to fill the void I took courses about dancers, gymnasts, and heck, even about baseball pitchers to try to understand the challenges circus artists face, but the big thing I learned is that circus artists are different.
After 15 years of working in the clinic with circus artists, and discovering that I was one of the first circus specific PTs in the world, I realized that maybe it is my job to fill this space.

My goal now is to help others get the leg up I was hoping for. This is the course I wish I had when I was starting out.

"I expected a highly expert level and got it!"

- Susan Frikken, DPT

Who is Circus Fusion for?

  • ALL types of healthcare providers who are interested in working with circus artists  
  • Clinicians who work with circus artists but want to learn more to serve their population better
  • Clinicians who don't want to spend time re-inventing the wheel and instead want to serve their patients with the best knowledge out there
  • Clinicians who want to GROW a circus medicine practice - either inside an existing clinic or out on their own!

"The best thing about this course was just how well broken down the lectures were. Even though I have minimal experience with circus artists, I feel like I now have a good place to start. I've also had some carry over in my gymnast population, so it's been incredibly helpful!"
- Ashley Hiscock, ATC

How does Circus Fusion Work?

Learn about what you love and earn 30.6 hours of CE.
Over the course of 16 weeks we'll discuss and discover all things circus science and medicine!

Circus Artists as patients

We'll touch on everything from how they approach training and their body, how (and when) they present with injuries, what the most common injuries are, how to assess their circus skills, and how to get them back to training. 

Circus Specific Exercises

Access to a library full of exercises related to the struggles, common issues, and goals of circus patients. Find exercises to help artists return to training and performance.

Lectures on your schedule

Seventeen circus medicine modules and bonus guest lecturer content ready whenever you are. We will go through them together but you have the option of watching whenever works best for you. 

Discuss and Question

Real-time office hours with me every other week. Ask all the questions that come up when watching on the modules or in your clinic. And, the opportunity to engage and interact with circus savvy clinicians from around the world.

Live Cases Studies

Walk through working with real circus artists and the clinical reasoning that goes into creating a circus specific plan of care.

Maintain Access

Keep access to the course so that you can refer back or find answers to questions as they come up in your practice. 

What's inside?

Movement Analysis and Diagnosis

Learn about common circus injuries, the patterns that lead to them, how to spot them, and how recognizing them will improve your treatment planning.

Circus Skill Breakdowns

Recognize mechanics that are less efficient and learn which components of foundational skills matter when assessing and progressing circus patients.

Circus Specific Exercises and Rehab

Exercises to increase circus-specific range of motion and strength, and to rehab and correct common circus movement impairments and injuries.

By the end of Circus Fusion you will...

  • Feel comfortable welcoming circus artists of all levels into your clinic and know what to ask to earn their trust and buy-in so you can help them achieve their goals
  • Be up-to-date on the latest circus science so that you can support patients with an evidence-based practice
  • Know "circus normal" so you can work with your patients' strength and range of motion with confidence.
  • Create training plans and schedules that help them prevent injury while making gains
  • Understand the power of using "movement as medicine" in a population who prizes the skills their bodies can achieve
  • Recognize common circus injuries and issues so that you can quickly and efficiently provide the best care
  • Analyze and assess common circus skills, from hanging to hip keys and splits to saltos (ok I was having fun with alliteration, but all that and more!)
  • Create appropriate rehab protocols that will guide your circus artists back from pain and end with their improved performance and ready to refer all their friends!
  • Have the empowerment and tools to build and market a circus medicine practice either on your own or as a part of a larger clinical setting


Wow! You've read this far?!?
Those circus artists are lucky to have you in their community, and you know they deserve expert care.

"If you are interested in working within the world of circus arts as a medical practitioner, then sign up for this course. This course is a rarity within the medical world. Take full advantage of it."
- Vanessa Bishline, PT

Your Track - Your Choice

I want this course to work for you so let's find the right track to get you on the Circus Fusion journey and make sure I am supporting your needs and goals

Fusion Track Get access to the Circus Fusion education hub with:
  • 17 pre-recorded modules full of knowledge, tips, hints, tricks, and skills you can apply with your patients immediately.
  • A resource library for quick access to evaluation tools and exercises that will help you translate the lectures into practice
  • Circus-specific exercises, with the how's, when's, and why's of when to use them to help artists return to their training
  • TWO LIVE PATIENT case studies where I will walk and talk through working with a circus patient so that you can observe my thought process and chime in with questions
  • Biweekly themed real-time office hours where we will all dive deep into the content; I will stay on the call until ALL questions are answered.
  • Take your time or binge it all and rewatch at your leisure Jump around if you have a specific question or cruise along each module in order.
  • Spend time with circus medicine folks from around the world both on our calls and through a private, online community group where the support and networking will continue long into the future
  • Earn 30.6 hours of continuing education credit!!


Mentorship Track
Let me help you through personalized attention as you build or grow your clinical practice into your dream circus medicine career:
  • Includes everything in the Fusion track AND...
  • Spend one-on-one time with me talking about you and your goals during 4 monthly meetings! (I really love getting to know YOU better)
  • Dive deep into your business, technique or skill breakdown, your questions about the content or your specific patients, and anything you want or need to ensure your success
  • Let me help you through personalized attention as you build or grow your circus medicine practice into your dream career


The mentorship track is for you if... ...you need accountability! I'm here for you.
...have goals that include starting a practice. I've done that and helped others build theirs too.
...are currently working with circus artists and have questions about how to best help your specific clients. Let's talk and get to the root of their issues so you can get them back to their training as soon as possible. Let's build up your reputation in the community. Helping circus artists will help you grow your practice!


The Mentorship Track is limited to only 5 spots!
This is an extremely limited offer.
Reach out to me emily@thecircusdoc.com to reserve your spot and with any questions you may have. I want to ensure you have the best experience possible.

FAQ

Is this course for me?

If you are a healthcare provider who works (or wants to work) with circus artists, this course is for you!

We've had Physical Therapists, Chiropractors, Athletic Trainers, Medical Doctors (category 2 or AAFP), Massage Therapists, and more come through the curriculum successfully.

Are continuing education credits (CME CE CEUs etc) available for this course?

Yes! The course is approved for 30.6 hours of continuing education by the New York Physical Therapy Association. This is transferable to *most* US states.

Do you have a continuing education budget through your employer? This can be a great way to apply it and cover your ConEd needs! Reach out if you have questions.

I have had success with credits translating for Chiropractors, Medical Doctors, Massage Therapists, Athletic Trainers, and Personal Trainers. Please let me know if you have questions about whether it will work for you due to country, state, or profession. I want to make sure you get credit for your hard work! emily@thecircusdoc.com

What if I can't make the office hours or live case studies?

All office hours and case studies will be recorded, but please plan on being able to attend the majority of them to foster great discussion and community.


I work with pole artists. Is this course for me?

Yes! Pole is one of the circus disciplines we talk about extensively. This course covers all disciplines in circus and because of similarities in mechanical demands, much of the content is relatable. Many of our graduates are pole focused and I would be happy to connect you with them if you have specific questions.


Do I need to be a clinician to take this course?

While this course is designed as a continuing education course for healthcare clinicians, it can be accessible to a larger audience depending on your background and experience. To make the most out of the course, you will need:

  • A strong anatomy and biomechanics background
  • A career as a movement professional during which you have continued to enhance your education
  • A comfort level working with medical terms

Another option may be my upcoming instructor based course which has similar content that's focused on circus educators' perspective and language. Like Circus Fusion, this course has multiple rounds of proven performance of helping instructors meet their goals!

You can join the waitlist for it HERE and I will keep you updated.

Unsure what the best fit might be for you? Shoot me an email at emily@thecircusdoc.com


What if I am hearing impaired or English isn't my first language?

The videos will have captions! Let me know what language you need and I will make it happen. For the live meetings there will be English captions automatically. If you need them translated for the replay that is possible. Just let me know! emily@thecircusdoc.com


Do you offer scholarships or financial aid?

I offer a 4 installment payment plan. If you need a different arrangement please let us know. I am happy to work with you to make the course possible.

While I generally do not offer scholarships or financial aid I am open to hearing your situation. Please reach out if you are an international student and the currency exchange is a barrier to your attendance as I am interested in ensuring global care of circus artists. emily@thecircusdoc.com

 


Curriculum

Dr. Emily Scherb, PT

Dr. Emily Scherb is a physical therapist specializing in circus and performing arts medicine. Through her over 30 years of training and working in the circus arts she has gained deep insight into how circus bodies work in the air and on the ground. Emily owns a physical therapy practice in Seattle, WA in which clinicians specialize in the treatment of circus and performing artists. Emily now teaches workshops for circus artists, instructors, and healthcare providers with the mission of improving health and safety in circus training and performance. She is a current board member of Seattle Dance and Performing Arts Medicine (SeaPAM). Her bestselling book Applied Anatomy of Aerial Arts was published in 2018.