SJ responds to readers’ concerns in the Ponsonby News Healthy Living column.

SARAH–JANE ATTIAS: HEALTHY LIVING

I’ve been indulging in what I call ‘blue skies’ sports having just returned from five days Canadian canoeing down the mighty Whanganui River, bush camping, off-grid, absolutely no communication with the outside world – magic!!!!

Now that’s a lot of paddling, 88 kilometres, 92 rapids and three capsizes, to be precise. A huge amount of demand on my upper body and shoulders.

I took three weeks to prepare, to minimise the possibility of injury. Having previously sustained extremely painful and debilitating shoulder injuries; rotator cuff tear, bursitis and frozen shoulder whilst skiing and playing squash, I knew to enjoy this adventure I had to build up to a certain level of fitness. I invested in a professional team whom I also use as supportive cross-referral for my patients. Greg Paine of Biosport, Zee Sharif (PhysioPilates) of Return to Form and James Hutchinson, osteopath, they optimised my technique, strength, balance, endurance and flexibility. I was set for the expedition and I can happily report at the finish I had no sore shoulders or back, I literally sprang out of that canoe feeling triumphant.

The shoulder is an amazing piece of body machinery. My patients are often surprised when I tell them their highly mobile, flexible, strong, dynamic shoulder pivots via a single attachment to their whole skeleton. Muscles around your shoulder joint work as a team, known as the rotator cuff muscles. If there has been an old injury to one of these muscles, the others will compensate to ensure there is no hindrance in your daily life. But when you start loading up by adding a new sport it can painfully reveal the weakness very quickly.

I love our local inner-city beaches, parks and the many fabulous outdoor sporting clubs. Leisurely outdoor sports are so different to a crowded gym. In nature we feel free, invigorated, nourished, salt on your skin goodness. Tennis, golf, paddle boarding and swimming – the kind of sport where you may socialise and share a beer after, if you get my drift.

I have a good friend to whom all the above activities are very attractive; our new associate osteopath Kushla Currie. Rumour has it that Kushla is a bit of an ‘ace’ on the court at the wonderful Pompallier Lawn Tennis Club, St Marys Bay. She also keeps a keen eye on the tide charts, swimming at Herne Bay beaches and ‘SUPing’ on her new paddle board; And I can certainly vouch for her homebrew ‘Ponsonby Pale Ale’!

This month I ask Kushla about performance enhancement and preventing injury both from a sports woman’s point of view and an osteopath who has the advantage of anatomical knowledge.

Kushla Currie, Associate Osteopath, MOst.,BApp.Sc.,Dip.NMT-Ireland (Neuromuscular Therapy)

Kushla, with your sports workout, how have you advanced your performance? Also I know you suffered from an injury, please tell us about your journey back to full health.

When exercising I’m mindful.

I think about using my core muscles, and a spot of stretching before and after sports does wonders. Focus on balance, coordination, stamina. From an osteopathic point of view I would recommend starting with a one-on-one or small, specialised, group coaching session and a ‘tune-up’ session with your osteo especially if you have old injuries that may flare.

Actually, it’s remarkable that so few things go wrong!

Depending how often you play, how well fitted you are to the equipment and several other factors, can contribute to the possibility of injuring yourself, either traumatically (instant) or over time (chronic).

That tennis elbow injury taught me a new level of empathy.

A valuable personal experience that I take with me every day into my medical practice. What did I learn? It’s okay to wait a day or two to resolve an injury – icing, massaging in linaments, magnesium intake, resting, but if pain persists it is imperative to seek diagnosis and treatment.

Osteopaths can register you for ACC treatment.

You don’t need to see a doctor for a referral in order to be covered by ACC. We do the paperwork for you and if necessary refer you directly for X-ray, ultrasound and specialists. This gives you an immediate clear picture for treatment options and starts reducing that ‘pain’ as soon as possible – knowledge is power!

Continue treatment to full health – not just out of pain.

With your osteo, discuss what exercises are beneficial and what exercises may be actually causing further deterioration or injury. ACC is brilliant because it offers an affordable path back to optimal health – use it.

(SARAH-JANE ATTIAS)