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Physiotherapy…Maintaining and Fixing Leigh

See our session with Leigh! Click the YouTube link below

https://youtu.be/CqaSsJDdkUA

The body is a machine and without regular TLC and maintenance, the working parts will start to fatigue and break down.

Regular Physiotherapy and Sports Massage input forms the platform for effective training and results in every athlete, from a club level athlete to a top level competitor. As an experienced therapist and an ex-athlete I understand the body and what it takes to train hard, be fit, and be at your best. As Physiotherapists and Athletes we see this fine line between being in top form, to over-stepping that line and being injured or unwell.

The intensity and level of Leigh’s training is such that his body will need extra help to recover from this workload.

Assessing Leigh:

When I first met Leigh, as I would with any Physiotherapy initial assessment, it was important to understand Leigh’s training schedule, rest periods and sleep patterns, daily workload, his aims, and his current problems. Within this I also consider medical and injury history. I carried out a full physical assessment generally comprising of:

-Posture and symmetry

-Joint range of movement and strength

-Assessment of the spine and neurodynamics

-Pelvic and core stability

-Functional strength and control

-Palpation of muscle tone

-Special tests for areas of injury and differentiation of the exact problems

Over the following sessions I got to know Leigh and how he was responding to treatment. I monitored the treatment response and findings allowing me to form solid picture of what was happening and formulate a treatment plan and functional rehabilitation program for Leigh to follow.

Main Findings:

-Proximal left hamstring insertion inflammation

-Shorter left leg -1cm

-Restrictions of left lumbar musculature and Sacroiliac Joint function

-Active trigger point left gluteus medius and quadratus lumborum

-Generally tight hamstrings and soleus bilaterally

-Reduced functional control and strength in gluteals left > right

To ensure Leigh sets off in the best possible form, over the coming weeks I will work on these problems through a combined approach of recovery massage, manual therapy and mobilisations, acupuncture, rehabilitation and control exercises, alongside meeting up with the Performance Team to discuss the training schedule and incorporate Physiotherapy goals and rehabilitation to formulate a bespoke training program to maximise athletic performance and reduce the risk of injury and fatigue.

For more information about Ruth Machej MCSP HCPC and Belper Life-Fitness & Performance Physiotherapy visit www.belperlifefitnessphysio.co.uk and www.belperpilates.co.uk