Two of our Sports Therapy and Sport Rehabilitation students were invited to form part of the Soft Tissue Therapy team by Herman Fenton, Vice President of the Federation of Holistic Therapists.
First year Rehabilitation in Sport and Exercise student, Becky Jacob-Harris (@RJacobHarris) describes her experiences of being selected from a large pool of students to work at this event.
When I received an email titled
‘High Profile Placement Opportunity’ I was immediately intrigued.
First thought – Open to
first-year students?
Inquisitive email sent... the
reply read ‘Yes, all three years.’ BOOM!
So, in went the CV and cover
letter, not really expecting a positive response, but fingers crossed, aye?...
turns out I was selected!
Herman Fenton is the vice
president of the Federation of Holistic Therapists and a member of the International Council of Health, Fitness and Sports
Therapists. Every year Herman takes on a small group of university students to
work alongside him, gaining pitch side experience and training in his unique
form of therapy. This year he chose Plymouth Marjon University!
I received a phone call from
Herman a few days after my application was sent, which involved a brief
telephone interview where Herman’s first words were ‘Sell yourself’. A bit of
pressure is a good thing, right?
After discussing my brief
background in Soft Tissue Therapy, my experience at Uni (so far) and my
connections to the Military, I hung up the phone feeling confident that I had
sold myself well. Turns out I did, because a few days later, Herman offered me
a placement at Birmingham University assisting with an International Fencing
Tournament.
On my arrival, it’s safe to say
that I was feeling rather anxious. My first experience working pitch side, out
of a clinic setting and with complete strangers. There is something about being
in the clinic – it’s like a safety blanket. So, there I was, completely out of
my comfort zone, not really knowing what to expect.
Thankfully, Herman is a very warm
and welcoming character. He sat me down and asked if I was nervous about
anything. Honesty is the best policy (so they say). I opted to tell Herman that
I was anxious about treating people with the added pressures of timings and
being faced with a different environment. He immediately put me to ease. It was
then that I knew it would be a good day.
Throughout the following hours,
Herman demonstrated and explained a number of different massage techniques,
which were ideal for quick fix issues. He demonstrated a range of postures and
‘quick fix’ techniques relevant to pitch side. I was able to work with Herman,
hands on with his clients, looking at different manipulations to the body to
improve stretching and to release tension and pressure within muscles.
Herman was very thorough with
detail and welcomed questions and encouraged me to challenge his ideas. The
individuals who were being treated were extremely patient while I tested out
new techniques. It was a very relaxed atmosphere, which isn’t what I was
expecting, but definitely not complaining about!
When leaving, Herman told me not
to hesitate to contact him if I have any questions or require any advice. I
feel that I have not only learned some new skills, but I have also gained a
connection with a Sports Therapy ‘top dog’
All in a day’s work!
For more information about our BSc (Hons) Rehabilitation in Sport and Exercise degree or our BSc (Hons) Sports Therapy, please visit our website.
We also have an MSc Sport Rehabilitation available as a pathway into the Profession for Graduate Sport students.
Edited by Sarah Martin, Lecturer in Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation at Plymouth Marjon University; smartin@marjon.ac.uk
@marjonSPT
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