| Hi Friend!
This weekend my family had an overnight playdate with 2 other families from Vivi's school. One thing I noticed was the appreciation for self-care the families had. It was a very active weekend with bicycle riding, walking, playground time, beach time and stand up paddle boarding.
The mutual appreciation for self-care led to many questions about my services, program and experience and brought up 2 stories I'd like to share with you.
Trade Growing up my family, everyone helped everyone. Once family member was an electrician and did everyone's electrical work. Another a carpenter and contractor. Another a mason. Another an accountant. Another a roofer. My parents were nurses. Others had insurance businesses or worked in finance. the common thing was everyone always was helping each other so I got to see people a lot. I always wondered what I'd do to contribute.
Pioneers After my internship with the Red Sox, I worked for the Wmass Pioneers, a professional soccer club based out of Ludlow, MA. The Pioneers had won the National Championship in 1999, the year before I got there and Health South was recruiting me to be their Athletic Trainer. Since it was in my home town and I loved soccer I said of course.
Since I worked previously in professional sports, and was also a recent graduate, I brought both the latest industry trends and a fresh energy to the team. Because I also grew up there, played sports and had a reputation people knew me. Well a funny thing happened during my experience.
You know how after games, fans line up to get autographs? Well after games, not only were fans lined up to get autographs, I had fans sitting on our team benches waiting to talk to me about their injuries. It was the wildest thing. They thought so highly of the care I was providing to the team and the way I was doing things that they were reaching out to ask me questions about their ailments.
It was a great compliment for sure, but I'm not sure what they wanted me to do on the sidelines of a soccer field, so I listened, had them move around a bit and pretty much said, "ice it", "stretch it" or "go see your doctor for a referral". That's all I could do in that moment, but I guess it was enough. Sometimes people sit on things because they don't know what to do about it until a situation, event or person happens upon them that might know the answers. They thought I was the person.
This weekend. 3 of the fellow parents had histories of injury, (3) of the injuries were pretty common things I see with our members and 1 injury that was less common too me, was current, a neck strain. Shortly during our 1st day, Vanessa tells me that I think, so and so wants you to look at their neck. Then the next day the spouse says my partner would really like your help, but is afraid to ask because they don't want you to feel like you have to work during this time together.
I said this isn't work. This is easy. The partner said I wouldn't want to create a power point presentation right now and I agreed, I didn't want to write a program right now, but problem solving discomfort is fun. That's why I do what I do. I like it.
A magician We didn't have much time as we were packed and ready to head home, but I sought out the person and I said, "let's do it. I want to try and help before we leave".
I found 2 tennis balls and tied them into a sock and we did some thoracic extension with exhales. We did childs pose t-spine rotations from a forearm with a hand behind the back We did contract - relax in this position to gain more range of motion. We did supine floor slides. We did contract - relax on the tight spots of the supine floor slides.
Then we checked the range of motion.
Win!
Left & right rotation. Side - to - side lateral flexion and up & down had all improved. Not 100%, but improvement. Ironically this was really fatiguing so we stopped, but I was ready to solve as best I could all the things I saw because I was on vacation time.
I guess the take home message for you is (1) I'm someone who cares and (2) I might be able to help you with any problem spots you might have whether its movement problems, body composition changes or performance goals.
If you think I can help you, reply and let me know. I'd love to find out.
Coach Mike
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