2nd Year Hours

28th Jan – 2020 – 2 Hours

This was my first training session with Marjon Football FC. I was introduced to the Men’s 1stteam. The age range is from 17 to 35 years old. This was a good range due to there is a higher possibility of coming across a range of injuries too. I met the coaches and we went over what they want and what they expect. We also went through the rules and regulations with therapists within football and gaming environment. I was excited to start placement and within football due to always having an interest in football. I was confident when meeting the team and coaches. I was a bit nervous when the session started and being on constant watch for injuries or if they were to ask me and question and not knowing the answer. Overall, I had a good time and I had told the team if they need me before and after games or training, I am available. I informed them that if they needed a soft tissue massage during the week, I am more than happy to do so. I could have been more talkative through the training session as this would have made me seem more confident. I just need to believe and trust myself.

1st Feb 2020 – 4 Hours

This was my first game day. Kick off was at 3pm however I had some of the team in prior to focus on their injuries and stretch. This would give me a chance to meet some of them properly and become aware of their injuries and the severity of them. I made throughout the one-to-ones so I could do my own research in my spare time to understand the injury and gain knowledge. This will allow me to advise them in the best way I can. If I was struggling it will allow me to ask my lecturers for any advice. My first footballer has complained of groin pain. After being explain of that he has had the pain 2-3 months. It was first in the right and left side and no is only in the right side. This could be due to the right leg is his kicking leg in football whereas the left is his ‘balancing/static’ leg. So, the left leg could have had more rest due to having less pressure put on it. I then had another footballer complaining of the same hip pain and this is when it’s in the same action also. However, his leg was the left-side, but he is right footed player. He explained that his pain is predominantly when he is led down for too long. This footballer is dominantly left footed but right footed when playing a football game. These were my main injuries at the time others needed massages and stretches. Prior to kick-off I made sure they all had eaten and were all hydrated due to their health thus preventing any health injuries such as fainting.

The game kicked off and no injuries or first aid was needed throughout the game. All players on both teams were happy and injury free.  After, the game I stayed with them for the cool down and had stuck around if anyone need to talk to me about previous medical history or massages needed. After this I was happy and confident being within the football environment. I felt excited to be back with them on Tuesday for their training.

2nd Feb 2020 – 2 Hours

This was my first Sunday BUCS Training as a therapist. Due to being the women’s club captain I know the that the Sunday training it fitness based, they mainly focus on cardiovascular due to hockey being a heavy endurance game. I felt confident going into this environment as knowing the players and talking to them previously in the session a few days ago. I felt slightly nervous because the main injuries that would occur would be twisting/rolling an ankle or just falling over. This means I had to be aware and watch them train so if anything did happen, I know what happened. They also did a few skills with and without the stick and ball. It was a good experience because there was a range of activities however, it was quite boring to watch after the first hour.

3rd Feb 2020 – 2 Hours

This was my first BUCS Monday session hockey. Due to being the women’s club captain I know the injuries of the women and men already. I was not playing this season due to injury allowing me to be their therapist. At the beginning of this session I pulled all the players aside and explained my role and what I am here for. I stated I was here for them before, during and after training and during the week if a massage or anything else was needed. I felt confident going into this environment as knowing the players and how training works. However, I felt slightly nervous because no one has seen me be a therapist before and how I work within the industry. Overall, everyone seemed happy for me to be there and I felt they felt comfortable with me. I wish I explained the professional code of conduct as a therapist in comparison to their therapist during the time if/when someone is injured.

4th Feb 2020 – 2 hours

During these 2 hours I allocated myself within a clinical setting so I could examine both of the footballers for 30 minutes each and then gave 2 massages to 2 other footballers.  My first footballer was that one that had complained of groin pain over the last few months. I needed to identify which structure this pain was coming from and why. I first went over a clinical form as I wanted to check if there was any referred pain also known as pain 2. I wanted to know if there were any contraindications, I should be aware of before palpating or asking him to complete range of movements. Thus, leading me onto if he has any previous medical history around that area or anywhere else and if he is on any medication that could possibly be affecting it. I needed to know if the pain was worsening, static or getting better. I asked about their professions and their day to day lives to see if this had any possible link to their pain. After, these were cleared and noted I want to observe his posture, look for swelling, redness, deformities and muscle bulk. I asked him to walk in front of me up and down a few times to look at his gate and to see if he is restraining any movement whilst walking. I then had the foundations to write up and prepare for our next session. I followed the same procedure with the footballer with groin pain. By writing it up with their permission I also had notes to compare to one another. I then filled out the clinical form for both massages, one being the hamstrings and the other being the quadriceps. I advised they both see me again for another one. I performed effleurage and petrissage. I suggest they show stretch those areas more intensely before training and games. The overall experience of these sessions were good and I was happy I stayed professional throughout. I felt the boys listened to me and understood what I was doing any why I was doing it.

9th Feb 2020 – 2 hours

This was a Sunday hockey training session where both teams trained fitness and skills components. I asked them as a unit to make sure they had eaten and were hydrated before exercising because if they hadn’t this could lead to fainting and dizziness.  They had a joint session where they worked together and completed all the fitness tasks. I over watch this from pitch side to make sure no injuries occurred. Some of the players had cramp so come over to me I recommended that they needed to drink, and I gave them all stretches that would help. I then said they should perform these stretches at the end of the session too. This was a good experience because it showed me that you’re not necessarily needed all the time but you being there and overseeing it and making sure everyone is safe is key.

10th Feb 2020 – 3 hours

This was a Monday hockey training session where they focus more on the game and tactics. I am again pitch side for this training session. One of the boys came over to me with a rolled ankle he did prior to the session. He asked me what he should do and what’s the best way to go about it. I recommend he sat out of this training session and to go back home and rest it. I recommended he used an ice pack to bring down the swelling whilst the foot was elevated. I explained that if he landed funny or didn’t stretch before that could have caused it. I told him to keep me updated with the injury, so I am aware, and it doesn’t get worse. The training session went well, and no other injuries occurred. I felt better within this session because I felt helpful and productive. Next, time I want to be more vocal throughout the session.

11th Feb 2020 – 2.5 hours

This was the Marjon Men’s training session. I was again in a clinical setting instead of pitch side. I firstly had the 2 same men booked in for the massages. Firstly, I massaged the hamstrings on both legs – 15 minutes each leg – and recommended for him to do specific hamstring stretches daily to help with the tightness and to help within the next game. I then massaged the quadriceps on the rest player, I followed the same procedure and advised him to perform a range of quadriceps stretches daily to help and make him feel stronger. Furthermore, I had the player with groin pain, and I overserved him again to make sure there were no changes in his upper and lower body. This then led us onto different lower body stretches from the quadriceps, hamstrings and the adductors. I was noting want stretch was causing him pain and overall, we concluded that when the hip was flexed, and he passively had to do it was there it caused the most amount of pain. For example, when he was led on his back and flexed the knee and brought his knee up to his chest. He explained it was most prominent when he changes position quickly – agility – and when he over stretches to try and reach the ball. I was explained that I wasn’t happy for him to train because I didn’t want the movements and pressure aggravating the structure and pain more. I communicated well and said that next week I want to examine him and ask him to perform a musculoskeletal assessment so we can perform special testing. The other player with groin pain carried out the same procedure. The pain was most present in the same action and position as the first player but didn’t explain it to be as bad in comparison. Due to it not be painful when playing I advised him not to play as that might be the dominator aggravating it, but he insisted on playing.

11th Feb 2020 – 1 hour

This was a booked in massage session for one of the hockey girls. I first filled out the clinical form. Before massaging I need to know if there were any contraindications, I should be aware of before palpating or asking her to complete range of movements. Thus, leading me onto if she has any previous medical history around that area or anywhere else and if she is on any medication that could possibly be affecting it. I needed to know if the pain was worsening, static or getting better. I asked about her day to day life to see if this had any possible link to her pain. After, these were cleared and explained I need to observe his posture, look for swelling, redness, deformities and muscle bulk. I asked her to walk in front of me up and down a few times to look at her gait and to see if he is restraining any movement whilst walking. Then she filled out the consent section and then I was happy to move on. I was massaging the gastrocnemius and the soleus. They are tight and need soft tissue release. I felt confident within this session due to massaging since the beginning of university you believe in your doings. I had good communication throughout but maybe I was to chatty, this is what I need to focus on next time.

12th Feb 2020 – 3 hours

 This was my first hockey game that I’ve stood pitch side for I am excited and nervous. I made sure I was available before and after the game to I could check on the players and stretch them out to prevent cramp or injury. I made sure they knew staying hydrated through the game was vital too. I asked if they had any problems or injuries that I should know about before the warm-up. As the game went on, I was feeling confident as I had another therapist on the side-line with me. So, if anything was to happen, we had each other for help. Luckily, no injuries occurred, and everyone was fine. Through the game I did feel nervous because its such a fast pace game and making sure you are aware of the play so you know if anyone to get injured you would know why. I went through a cool down with the boys after to get the heart rate down and then to stretch the full body. I wish I was stricter with their cool down, but I know what to do for next time. I wish I made sure they were performing the stretches accurately to make sure they were effective.

13th Feb 2020 – 1 hour

This was a booked in massage session for one of the hockey girls. I first filled out the clinical form. Before massaging I need to know if there were any contraindications, I should be aware of before palpating or asking her to complete range of movements. Thus, leading me onto if she has any previous medical history around that area or anywhere else and if she is on any medication that could possibly be affecting it. I needed to know if the pain was worsening, static or getting better. I asked about her day to day life to see if this had any possible link to her pain. After, these were cleared and explained I need to observe his posture, look for swelling, redness, deformities and muscle bulk. I asked her to walk in front of me up and down a few times to look at her gait and to see if he is restraining any movement whilst walking. Then she filled out the consent section and then I was happy to move on. I was massaging the quadriceps with include rectus femoris, vastus lateralis, vastus medialis, and vastus intermedius. They are tight and need soft tissue release. I felt confident within this session due to massaging since the beginning of university and only just massaging one of the football boys in this area. I had good communication throughout but potentially contraindicated myself and was too quiet. I need to find a good medium.

24th Feb 2020 – 2 hours

This was a Monday hockey training session where they focus more on the game and tactics. I am again pitch side for this training session. I went through a full body warm up with the girls and communicated through each stretch. I explained what we were stretching and why. The training session went well, and no other injuries occurred. I felt better within this session because I felt helpful and productive. Next time, I want to do a warm-up with just the boys and then a joint warm-up, so this becomes a routine.  Due to the reading week this session was slightly slow rolling and they weren’t that active and having coach issues made everything more difficult to get a flow. Thus, meaning this session for me was boring and I felt like it dragged quite a lot. However, this is normal within sport, so I have to understand that some session won’t be as fast pace and interactive.

25th Feb 2020 – 3 hours

This was the Marjon Men’s clinical session where I completed the same two massages – 30 minutes each and I asked for some feedback on how they are feeling and if they think the area is improving and if they can notice it during play. I asked if they were doing the stretches regularly. I then moved on and completed a musculoskeletal assessment on both players. I had them for an hour each. I went through all 8 stages of the assessment starting with observation. I must remember to test the uninjured side first, and always compare uninjured and injured sides in observation and testing.

Observation includes: In standing: Front, Side, Behind. Posture – general & of ankle, muscle bulk/wasting/spasm/symmetry, deformity, bruising and swelling

Dynamic

  • Foot position
  • Gait
  • Knee angle
  • Hip position
  • Spinal Position
  • Thus, moving onto clearing the joints above and below. These being the knee whilst texting flexion, extension, inversion and eversion and the lumbar spine in flexion, extension and side flexion. Thirdly, you must palpate the Muscles, tendons, ligaments, bones and joints. While palpating I am feeling for tenderness/pain, swelling, muscle spasm, deformity and different temperatures. Fourthly, I will test the range of movement and I noted the range of both legs and physical differences and the pain difference. The rage of movement that I will test is Fl/ Ext/ ER / IR / Abd / Add within am active, passive and resisted state. I noted the strength in Oxford Scale notations. I then completed manual muscle tests
    • Piriformis length
    • Adductor Squeeze Tests (Magnus, Longus, Brevis differentiation)

This all leading to specific special tests and functional tests. Special test including Straight Leg Raise (SLR), Thomas test, Trendelenburg Test and functional tests such as Single Leg Stance, Squat/Lunge and Stair-climbing. I completed this confidently and I had my laptop open to check over anything I wasn’t 100% sure on. I explained that I the next session I will talk them over the results and findings and where the next step is.

1st March 2020 – 3 hours

This was a Sunday hockey training session where both teams trained fitness and skills components. I asked them as a unit to make sure they had eaten and were hydrated before exercising because if they hadn’t this could lead to fainting and dizziness.  I took the boys warm-up up and communicated how important it is to help prevent injuries. We stretched the full body due to hockey being a full body activity. I watched the fitness session from pitch side to make sure no injuries occurred. I made sure they all stayed hydrated and explained why it is so important as an athlete. I then took a cool down session where they jogged and stretched at the end of the session too. This was a good experience because it shows that the job title can be rather versatile.

2nd March 2020 – 3 hours

This was a Monday hockey training session where they focus more on game play where I personally believe it is a more dangerous session than Sunday’s. I am again pitch side for this training session. One of the boys came over to me with tight quadriceps. He asked me what he should do and what’s the best way to go about it. I recommended he stretched out before the session and I gave him stretches that focussed in the area. I recommended he had a warm shower and book in a massage with myself. I explained if he didn’t stretch before any exercise that could have caused it. I told him to keep me updated until the massage, so I am aware, and it doesn’t get worse. The training session went well, and no other injuries occurred. I felt better within this session because I felt helpful and productive due to them training for longer as they are preparing their short corners. So, there was more action and more going on.

6th March 2020 – 1 hour

This was a session that was full of two massages. The first football player had tightness and pain in the gastrocnemius and soleus. The second player had tightness in the middle of the trapezius. Before, I completed each 30-minute massage I completed a clinical form for each player. I had to check there was no contraindications such as heart problems, cancer, pregnancy, deep vein thrombosis or steroids. These are just to name a few. I feel confident when massaging due to completing numerous amounts of massages over the last two years. Next time, when filling out the clinical form I won’t fill it out as quick, so I don’t come across as rushed.

9th March 2020 – 3 hours

This was a Monday hockey training session this was a longer training session due to them having a BUCS game n 2 days. I am pitch side for this training session. This was a very intense hockey session, so I was aware of the skills and mini games they were participating in. If something was to happen, I need to know how it happened and know what to do because of it. The training session went well, and no other injuries occurred. I felt better within this session because I felt helpful and productive due to them training for longer as they are preparing their short corners. So, there was more action and more going on.  Luckily, the girls don’t go in full force against each other to reduce hurting one another. But the positive within this it still makes be alert. I felt happy in this session and it was good to see them all trying will full speed ahead.

10th March 2020 – 1.5 hour

This was a massage I recommended to one of the hockey boys a few days prior as he was complaining of pain and tightness in his quadriceps. I completed a clinical form for each player. I had to check there was no contraindications such as heart problems, cancer, pregnancy, deep vein thrombosis or steroids. I checked the previous medical history, current medications and their day to life to see if that is impacting the pain. After the massaged I went over movements/stretches that I recommend doing to ease the pain and tightness however, I believe after comparing the range of movements before and after the soft tissue release helped for just that one session. I felt assertive whilst carrying this out and the player was assuring me by responding and answering my questions in full.

10th March 2020 – 3 hours

After my massage appointment I had a 3-hour football session. The first hour was a 30-minute hamstring massage with a recurring player. I went through the form again and to overserve and palpate to see if there is anything new. Also, I must receive consent before each massage and to make sure there is nothing new. Before, completing the massage. I then went pitched for the final 2 hours to oversee the training and to complete the warmup and the cooldown. I felt confident doing these due to having a diploma in sports fitness and coaching. So, leading a team in these situations and environment wasn’t new. However, completing these with a completely older age range was new to me so was slightly nervous just in case they didn’t take me as seriously as I would have liked. However, they all listened, and I was assertive and clear. They all thanked me after the training session and that made me feel more part of the club and more professional.

14th March 2020 – 3 hours

This was my second game day. I made sure that I was available before kick-off, so I was there for the team and if they had any new injuries or issues that I needed to know about. and become aware of their injuries and the severity of them. I had some of the team in prior to focus on their injuries and stretch. This would give me a chance to talk to them one-to-one and then they can talk to me properly without their teammates there. This allowed them to feel like they were in a safe environment. Then, the game started and during the game there were no injuries just a few falls and trips and that was all. I gave a few of the players that landed on their arms or legs funny some ice and gave them a check over on the side-line when they were subbed off and they were happy and didn’t feel any pain. This allowed me to feel more needed throughout the game as out of the games I have been a part of no injuries have occurred. After, the same I led a cool-down which started with a slow jog to get their heart rate down then this was followed by a full body stretch. I pulled a few aside after and focused on the areas that I have been massaging over the course of the last few weeks. Overall, I felt delighted with this placement session but next time I think I need to be more vocal with the players that have fallen and check they are okay, and they aren’t just saying they are.

15th March 2020 – 3 hours

This was a Sunday hockey training session where both teams focused on cardiovascular endurance. I asked them as a unit to make sure they had eaten and were hydrated before exercising because if they hadn’t this could lead to fainting and dizziness.  They had a joint session where they worked together and completed a slightly different session to normal. Due to not being allowed on the pitch as covid-19 procedures and the awareness surrounding it. The teams couldn’t train on the 3G. They completed endurance and agility testing on the rugby pitch. I over watch this from pitch side to make sure no injuries occurred. Then I took a full cool-down due to them all being tired and out of breath. I performed these stretches properly and clearly. They all listened and joined in as I explained the importance. I recommended they have a warm or cold shower to help relax the muscles. This was a good experience because it showed me that you’re not necessarily needed all the time, but you are being there and overseeing it and making sure everyone is safe is key.