A WESTBURY chiropractor has returned to her practice in Maristow Street after spending 10 days as a member of the medical team covering the Paralympic Games in Weymouth Bay and Portland Harbour.
Kay Pearce of Maristow Chiropractic Clinic worked alongside health professionals including doctors, nurses, osteopaths, physiotherapists, and sports massage practitioners in the run up to the games while athletes were arriving at the village and preparing for competition. She was also on duty for the first two days of competition.
This year’s Olympic and Paralympic Games was the first time chiropractors like Kay have been included in the medical team. For Kay, it was a huge honour to be selected. There were 18,000 applicants to volunteer for 4,000 roles within the medical services team of which there were 500 physical therapists (physiotherapists, chiropractors, sports massage practitioners and osteopaths).
She said, “It was an incredible experience, amazing to be part of it. It was surreal to be there after so much preparation – it was November 2010 I applied!
“There were people who just had everyday mechanical injuries, not necessarily specific to the sport, but they sometimes got a bit worried with the competition coming up.
“There was always a long list of professionals on duty. I learnt a lot from that – working with the other professionals and seeing what they do first hand, assessing patients together, and deciding on the appropriate course of action together. You’re with other very highly qualified professionals sharing your experiences and knowledge.”
