Support
The often forgotten essential tool of rehabilitation.
Having recently read an online article by ballet dancer
Rebecca King, it made me reflect on my own experience of providing support
within the rehabilitation of clients.
Too many times within grassroots have I experienced players
being put down by their coaches and fellow team mates through missing games due
to serious injuries. This mocking is often because they’re not ‘putting their
body on the line’ for the team anymore, which is primarily due to the fact that
they’ve done this one too many times and their body has finally given up. What
angers me the most is that no credit and understanding is given to these
players who are working their boots off to get back onto the field and it is
then left to me as their rehabilitator to not allow this player to become
despondent. Not only is this destructive to the team environment but it is
harmful to athletes mental and physical wellbeing. If it was me, I know I
certainly wouldn’t want to return to a team with an attitude like this.
As a therapist, our role is not to simply drill out numerous
exercises for our athlete, but to also ensure a good mental state and
preparedness listening and advising our clients when they have concerns. Thus I
try to ensure all my sessions are run with light-heartedness, good-humour and
in a safe environment, where they can feel relaxed and open to talk. From doing
this, my athletes work hard to please both themselves and me.
Support from the team and staff are not the only places this
care should be coming from, support from both friends and family are key. This
allows for good psychological health within and away from sport and can aid to
a better recovery.
Let me know your thoughts on this area! Have you experienced
a lack of support from your team and how did you overcome it?
- E
