My First On field Experience as a Physiotherapist. A story to get inspired.

My First On field Experience as a Physiotherapist.


Well, It was a pleasant day, Quite sunny, Never Expected that this day would become my unforgettable day in life. As we know "Life gives you a test, then teaches you the lesson", experience is always your teacher.

                           Let me begin with my story, it was  Buck's Tournament in YMCA . various sports happen during the tournament. Me as a Senior intern was excited about being a part of the medical team also was curious to learn about the On field management as a Physio,(believe me it was only the day before i have heard about the term "On-field management" after college) with the help of my Senior staff Physios,  the day began as usual, my Favorite staff Usha- my well wisher, teacher and also my inspiration came to me and said we are going to the Women's Football team as Physios, i was happy because i know i don't have to worry cause she is going to guide me and i just have to assist her( no pressure on me). She had a quite busy day since there were lots of matches happening like Hockey, Football, Cricket, Throw ball, Volley ball, Basket ball, Athletics, etc., all the Physios in our Sports Medicine center were running around to help the players in the first aid and other injuries. She came to me and told me we have to leave in half an hour so arrange for the "KIT"??? i was like what?? what's a kit?? , she told me its the Medical Kit, First Aid Kit, i was little upset because i didn't know anything about it and felt bad that i should have prepared myself earlier. Never mind, with her help i managed to arrange everything in a bag (quite big and heavy cause i dumped everything possible and didn't want to miss anything) and then suddenly a player from the football team came running and called for a physio since the game had started, my senior was already held with a injured player, asked me to go and take care, i was hesitating to go but then she told me that she will join me shortly and nothing to worry about, with her words, i walked with my heads high to the ground, i was given special chair next to the coach, ( ha... felt so nice, how much people respect you) everything seemed normal until......... one of the girl fell down , the game stopped, the referee waved his hand and everyone looked outside, i didn't know they were all looking at me, and then the coach told me to get inside the field, i was shocked for a moment and try to explain that my Senior is yet to come, but then they just forced me to get in, in the hurry i first forgot to take the bag, and then came running back to take it ( never knew i could run so fast) i went inside, i saw her she was conscious ( Phew !! lucky me nothing serious) she had hurt her leg and she was very nervous and worried about the injury since it was the last 20 mins of the game and her presence was so important, i was trying to find out if there was any fracture, thank god no fracture, it was just a calf muscle strain, she was the captain so everyone in the team were upset and kept asking me, if she was OK, i kept doing so many tests and took quite some time and told the referee she was fine but then, i had done a big blunder , yes i had not brought "ICE ", the first thing the player wanted was the ice ,how can i forget the first aid requirement in any sports injury,i felt so bad that i had totally forgotten about it and that even a player know what should be done first after an injury, anyways i somehow managed the situation with spray and stretches, and with my presence of mind just gave her full confidence that she can play. she also with all her adrenalin pumping , assured the referee she could play, i came out and told the coach it was just a muscle strain, she is fine, the coach was so much relieved with my words. I was watching her till the end of the game, She actually played well, no wonder she is the captain of the team, and voila they won the match so did i, i was so happy that day, that i had done something big, though it was my first experience it went on well. After the match got over , the captain and the coach came to me and thanked, i felt so happy for what i did, i wanted to share this with my Senior so went running to the centre ( with the heavy bag) . I narrated everything that happened and then she also felt happy for what i did for my first experience on field. i thanked for not coming, because if she would have come i wouldn't have got such a beautiful experience which i am sharing with you!!! and that also proves,



"Everything happens for a Reason"



So... My Next article about the KIT"....

On field Sports Injury Management.- Aarthi Physiotherapist ISA

On field Injury  Management 

On field ?? heard or never heard, its a term people aren't aware of. In On field Sports injury management,  the On field Physio has to treat the athlete or the player when the player is still playing. Its in the middle of the game/event the physio is called for  first aid. A injury can happen any where, any time for a sport's person, this also depends on the sport played. Generally, sports are classified as contact sports, mild contact,no contact sports.Sports like Ice hockey, Rugby,Soccer, Boxing and few other sports are considered the most dangerous sports depending on the occurrence of injury.

      

Being a Sports Physio, this is the most challenging part for the Physio, since the Physio has all rights to make a decision whether the player is fit to continue the game or not, also their diagnostic skill has to be so accurate since, the time given to them is very less, it can be even less than a minute because there can be a substitute when it comes to a team sport. 

But in an individual sport like the Athletics,Racket sports,Swimming ,wrestling and martial arts,golf etc., when they are injured in between the event its even more difficult for them to progress, also it depresses and demotivates them.

When injury happens, there is a lot of Pressure for the Physio from the player, the coaches, and the referees, the Physio has to handle the pressure. Since the decision of the Physio can even change the game.

 For a Player getting injured is not painful, to leave the game is painful, because to get into any sport is the most difficult task and all their hard work and dedication will be in vain if they don't perform on that day at that time, moreover, a player or athlete doesn't train for a day or week to get there, its a long term process.  So the Physio's goal is to make the player to get back to the game and make him continue to the way he played is the most important task. The Physio should give him confidence and make him go back to the game. The player no matter how strong, will be in a state of shock after an serious injury. Motivation and Quick measures to reduce the pain is mandatory.Remember, Mind and body are interrelated, the body listens  always to the player's mind in addition, the adrenalin will also aid in masking the pain. Whether injured or not injured, when the physio is around, the players becomes more confident since they believe they can give their fullest and not to worry about the injury.

Injury are common in sports, the way its handled and managed makes a difference.

 When going as a team and representing the Country , the Players, Coaches and the Physio form a strong Team.

My first On field Experience, 

 Coming up Next.........

Introduction to Sports Physiotherapy by Sports Physiotherapist, Aarthi Manickam.

"Sports Physiotherapy"  is a field of Physiotherapy which deals with the Sports population. It plays a important role  in Sports Medicine where in, the Physiotherapist is very important. The sports physiotherapy deals not only with the treatment of injuries but it also deals with Prehabilitation -prevention of injuries  , Rehabilitation - following an injury, Performance enhancement,Sports psychology. Sports Physiotherapist must be aware of all the hands on techniques since they are given very less time to diagnose and treat on field.

 Qualities of a Sports Physiotherapist are

1. Knowledgeable.
2. Presence of mind.
3. Quick in diagnosing and treating injuries
4. Assertive.
5. Physically Fit to demonstrate all the forms of exercise
6. Physically and mentally strong.
7. Optimist.

Sports Physiotherapy includes hands on Manipulative therapy, Electrotherapy, Exercise therapy, Rehabilitation and fitness, Hydrotherapy, Prehabilitation, Sports specific fitness, also the physio must be aware of the Bio mechanics involved in each sport, the Physio should be aware of the video analysis and upcoming research works to improve the performance .Since a Sports Physio often travels with the team or the individual elite player its better for the physio to get along with the player to know about him/her in the field and off the field, so that his social activities are monitored. Travelling with the team becomes more challenging interesting as the Physio has to use the place sensibly , monitoring the players's diet (basic knowledge) and also be aware of the climatic condition where the sport is been played so that the player gets acclimatize to the weather. 

Physiotherapist must always beware of the latest updates , regular conference and case discussions will help them to update themselves, Physiotherapist should not always stick on to books cause they need to change their technique and plan according to the condition of the individual rather than the books.

At this point of time, i would like to thank my mentor Sports Medicine physician Doctor Kannan Pugazhendi for he has been my inspiration in my life. His teachings, support and precious life lessons have given me lot of learning experience. Wherever I may go in my life, I will always remember that I had an excellent guide in the form of a teacher. 

"Being a Sports Physio is a Pride".


Experience on field and off field.....
More to come