Therapy Expo 2023 once again lived up to expectations, delivering high quality talks and a great trade show, with huge crowds in attendance. SST members featured in six of those sessions, all showcasing their skills and knowledge to packed audiences.
Mike Hine, Head of Medical Performance, at 1st division club Port Vale FC., kicked off Day One for the Society with ‘Rehabilitation, recovery and return to performance in an MDT environment.’ Always the consummate professional, Mike gave a great insight into the different components that come into play when working with injured players. He highlighted the importance of teamwork and of having a clear understanding of the different roles in the department in order to get the best out of everyone. A tremendous start for the SST team!
SST Director Tom Hames and Society Member Michelle Evans, former Coventry University lecturing colleagues, took to the stage next and it was standing room only. Their topic ’Incorporating Strength and Conditioning’ clearly hit the mark. For Society Members in the audience, it provided the recognition that, with Sports Science underpinning their degrees, they have the skills and knowledge to incorporate Strength and Conditioning principles with rehabilitation strategies in order to create a holistic approach to recovery.
The award for leaving their audience spellbound must surely go to Kirsty Hopgood and Kristian Weaver for ‘Therapy and Cancer – a patient and therapist perspective.’ Kirsty went from an ankle sprain in 2016 to cancer patient in 2019 with the diagnosis of an osteosarcoma in her fibula. Kirsty took the audience through her journey to date, interspersed with insightful questioning from her friend and former Edge Hill University work colleague, Kristian Weaver. Kirsty was able to deliver a stunning review including her treatment and rehabilitation, highlighting red flags and the fact that mechanisms of injury may not always match the signs and symptoms. Their message: ‘Be persistent and always advocate for your patient.’
While Dr Peter Thain’s talk was entitled ‘Chill Out,’ we always thought it might raise a few temperatures. Controversy had raged on social media as to the use of ice in acute injury management, likely fuelled by an editorial in BJSM which suggested avoiding ice altogether. Peter remained coolness personified and provided a hugely thought-provoking session for all in attendance, critically discussing the evidence for the use of cryotherapy today.
‘A holistic approach to rehabilitation, health and wellbeing’ was the topic under discussion for SST Director Dr Jen Wilson. Jen presented on the five key pillars of health (physical activity, sleep, nutrition, mental health and community) and how Sports Therapists can influence these factors during rehabilitation. Jen also discussed the impact of reduced physical activity and health inequality on long term health, reminding therapists that their role in clinic is to not only treat the injury but also facilitate long term health behaviour to promote healthy ageing. A great, topical session leaving the audience with much to think about.
Women’s football still remains one of the fastest growing female sports, and with so many high profile women footballers suffering ACL injuries, it was no surprise that there was great interest in Andy Frampton’s talk; ‘Knee injuries in football – perspectives from ten years in the women’s game.’
Andy was able to provide great insight into working with female footballers, discussed injury risk and included a model for knee injury risk reduction and management, together with strategies to protect and rehabilitate the knee. Despite getting late into the afternoon of day 2, this hugely engaging talk proved a real hit.
The Expo proved a great opportunity for Members to attend and to catch up with our SST partners and industry colleagues.
We were delighted to give away free tickets to a number of SST Members to enable them to attend the Expo, some for the first time. We caught up with Racquel Sinclair after Mike Hine’s presentation. UEL Graduate Racquel was delighted to have a chat with Mike and SST member Maria Westwell.
Events such as this are a great opportunity to network as well enjoy the learning experience.
Our thanks to Maria Westwell and Hayley Clarke from the Comms team for their great work on social media.
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If you were at Therapy Expo drop us a note to let us know what you thought of it – admin@thesst.org
