the person behind the practice
Meet your Doctor -
Dr. Leah Johnson, DC, CCSP®
[Bio Changing] Dance found me before I could even tie my own shoes. At three years old, I took my first class at Carlsbad Dance Centre, and from that moment, movement became my language. What started as childhood joy turned into ten years of competitive dance, four years as captain of my high school varsity team, and eventually a degree that let me study the science behind the art I loved.
But here's the part that shaped everything: I didn't just dance—I got hurt. A lot. I navigated stress fractures, chronic pain, and a spinal condition that most doctors told me should sideline me for good. I heard "just stop dancing" more times than I can count. And every time, I felt dismissed, misunderstood, and honestly a little heartbroken.
"I became the doctor I wish I'd had as a young dancer—someone who wouldn't just tell me to stop doing the thing I loved most."
Doctor of Chiropractic, Certified Chiropractic Sports Physician
Those experiences lit a fire in me. I wanted to become someone who could bridge the gap between traditional medicine and the reality of a dancer's life. So I earned my BFA in Dance Science from Cal State Long Beach, where I finally got to merge my love of movement with the biomechanics and kinesiology that explain it. Then I pursued my Doctorate of Chiropractic, trained in sports medicine clinics across Southern California, and became a Certified Chiropractic Sports Physician.
Today, when a dancer walks into my office feeling scared, frustrated, or unheard, I see myself in them. I know what it's like to have your identity wrapped up in your art. I know the panic of wondering if you'll ever perform the same way again. And I know that "rest" isn't a strategy—it's a last resort.
That's why I built Vitality. Not as another clinic, but as the kind of care I spent years searching for. One-on-one attention. Treatment that respects your training. A provider who speaks your language—literally. Whether we're talking about your turnout, your tour jetés, or the way your hip clicks during développé, I'm not going to need a translator.
This work isn't just my profession. It's personal. And I'd be honored to be part of your journey
BFA in Dance Science from Cal State Long Beach—integrating kinesiology and biomechanics with dance
Doctorate of Chiropractic from Southern California University of Health Sciences
CCSP® Certified—Certified Chiropractic Sports Physician specializing in athletic care
Certified Personal Trainer with expertise in dancer-specific strength & conditioning
