The Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation team try to provide a range of placement experiences for all students, which can be invaluable for networking and job opportunities upon graduating. Our second year Sport Rehabilitation student Becky Jacob-Harris (@RJacobHarris) was fortunate enough to be selected to provide support at the National Fencing Competition last year, which was a great success and so was asked to return this year. This is
her reflection from the day.
On the
31/03/18 I attended Birmingham University to work with FHT’s vice president, Herman
Fenton at the International Fencing competition. Throughout the day I had the
opportunity to treat competitors, ranging from beginners to Olympic athletes.
The majority of treatments were soft tissue related including massage and
isometric stretching.
Throughout
the day, I assisted with the treatment of shin splints, through the use of massage
around the tibia, with the effect of stretching the muscles around the bone in
order to increase muscle laxity and to reduce pain. I also had the chance to
assist with an injury diagnosis with a client who expressed symptoms of
shoulder impingement. I was independently able to assess the shoulder, clearing
the cervical spine and elbow for referred pain, before taking the client
through full range of movement, active, passive and resisted movements, as well
as functional and special tests. The diagnosis was confirmed by Herman to be
shoulder impingement.
I found this
experience very educational and it added to the knowledge that I’ve gained from
the Pathology of Injuries module and Clinical Assessment module in my second
year. It has helped me to assess clients and select the relevant treatments I was
able to provide. In comparison to attending the International Fencing
competition in 2017 as a first-year student, I felt more confident with my
techniques, assessments and ability to discuss rehabilitation techniques with
clients. I was confident with assessing the shoulder joint, with the ability to
explain the rationale to both Herman and the client.
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 Vicki Evans, Associate Lecturer in Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation at Plymouth Marjon University; vevans@marjon.ac.uk
@marjonSPT
