A WESTBURY sports chiropractor has recently returned from the World Athletics Championships in London, where she helped to make sure that the world’s elite were ready for action on the track and field.
Normally based at Maristow Chiropractic Clinic in Westbury, Kay Pearce set up camp with 10 other sports chiropractors at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, as part of the medical services team at the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) World Athletics Championships from 4-13th August.
Talking to the White Horse News last week, Kay said, “It’s been great! Two days to go still and as the competition hots up, we could be busy. The atmosphere is incredible.
“The championships inv-olves 3,300 athletes from more than 200 countries and as chiropractors, we are working alongside physiotherapists, osteopaths, sports massage therapists, sports doctors, pharmacists and radiologists to provide a modern and first class service for the athletes’ needs.
“Having worked at the sailing venue for the 2012 Paralympics, this is another amazing opportunity to be involved at an international event where members of different healthcare professions work together as a team to provide high quality, athlete-centred care.
“Our medical centre is right on the warm up track where we are at the centre of the athletes’ daily activities. We are open from 7am to 11pm, to ensure that athletes have access to the best care possible when competing away from home.
“They may come in and ask for a general loosen up, but may also be asking us to help with an injury that could have serious consequences in their events.
“As I have also trained in sonography I have been using the centre’s ultrasound facilities to help diagnose injuries and have been able to contribute to discussions about whether an athlete should continue in competition or not.
“We also have some ice baths (which basically look like rectangular paddling pools) and it is always a popular job amongst the physical therapists to refill the ice and then offer encouraging words for how best to tolerate getting in the chilly water!
“The oldest athlete competing is 46 and the youngest is 16, but one thing they all have in common is that they are world class and it is a big responsibility to have their bodies in our care.
“I am very aware that I am a small cog in a big wheel of the medical team and other volunteers, all doing their bit to support the athletes, but I feel my most important role here is to represent my profession. I am on the committee of the Sports and Exercise Faculty of the Royal College of Chiropractors and one of our objectives is to raise awareness of sports chiropractic nationally. So my highlight? It has to be when a World Champion comes in and asks to see the duty chiropractor!”
