PHYSIOCARE TWYFORD
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E physio@physiocare.co.uk
PHYSIOCARE EARLEY
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E physio@physiocares.co.uk
PHYSIOCARE NEWS & EVENTS
Physiocare helps Penny skate to national victory
When Penny Clarke knew she had a shot at a national title for team synchronized skating, her hopes were almost dashed with a late injury during training. Physiocare came to the rescue, with ultrasound and graded exercises to ensure optimal recovery on an injured knee following a heavy fall in the week leading up to the competition.
‘I couldn’t believe I might not make it to the championships,’ said Penny who lives in Hurst. ‘After all the months of training, I had a serious fall just before competition week. When I turned up at Physiocare, I wasn’t sure if I would make it at all.’
Penny turned to Elizabeth Jones, practice owner at Physiocare and Penny’s physiotherapist from previous treatment. ‘Penny arrived in considerable pain and discomfort,’ said Elizabeth, ‘my first priority was to assess the extent of the damage and see what relief we could give her to get Penny back on the ice.’
Penny had badly sprained knee. It was swollen and painful to walk on, making skating a real challenge and putting the championship into doubt. Elizabeth applied ice and ultrasound to help the fluids in Penny’s knee disperse and taught her exercises to help restore the movement in the knee and strengthening and specialized balance exercise to ensure recovery back to full fitness.
47-year-old Penny took up skating seriously just twelve months ago after watching her daughter’s training classes. ‘I had never been particularly great at skating, but thought I might as well have a go. Before I knew it, I was steaming ahead and discovered I could even join in the synchro team to compete. It just goes to show, it’s never too late to take something up!’
Penny first attended Physiocare for a shoulder injury, but Elizabeth Jones uncovered weaknesses in her core stability due to pregnancy and childbirth which had led to other conditions. Penny worked on a programme of building core stability through special exercises on the Reformer machines, pilates equipment favoured by the likes of Madonna and Tiger Woods. Elizabeth commented, ‘If Penny had not built up her core stability through a sustained exercise programme, I seriously doubt she would be able to skate confidently, let alone win a national championship. We are all really proud of Penny’s achievements at Physiocare.’
Penny skated to victory as part of the Fusion adult synchronised ice skating team, based at the John Nike Rink in Bracknell. The team returned home victorious from the British Championships after beating four more experienced teams. The new team, formed just six months ago, beat four more experienced teams to return home victorious in their first competition. The fourteen skaters, ranging in age from early 20’s to mid 50’s, trained hard to develop an innovative routine with a Bollywood theme which delighted the judges and audience. Anyone interested in finding out more about lessons or team training should visit www.bracknell-ice-skating-club.co.uk.