Final Year Chiropractic Students Enjoy Inaugural ‘Sports Day’ Event
Hero Photo: (left-to-right) Meriel Davis, Nick Metcalfe, Glenn Winslade, Aaron Coode, Ulrik Sandstrom and Jesper Dahl.
On Wednesday 13th March, we hosted our inaugural ‘Sports Day 2024’, an exciting event for our Final Year Chiropractic Students to listen to the experiences and words of wisdom of our special Guest Speakers, all of whom are AECC University College Alumni, regarding the specialist field of Sports Chiropractic.
We welcomed Nick Metcalfe, a Fellow of The Royal College of Chiropractors (RCC), for his experience and contribution to chiropractic and elite sports. Nick was also previously Chair of the RCC Sports Council. Nick talked about being ‘Comfortable with Uncertainty’. Speaking at the event, Nick talked about “the importance of putting yourself out there, i.e., voluntary roles and working your way up” and “adapting yourself to play the game.” Nick also talked about the importance of “test-treat-retest” and provided a practical demonstration around undertaking observations and building more certainty with athletes.
Jesper Dahl joined us to present ‘Taking it to the Extremities: Are There Rationales for Including These in the Management of Most Patients?’ Jesper has worked and continues to work with athletes in sports as varied as swimming, tennis, athletics, martial arts, and golf, and of standards ranging from weekend warriors to world champions and major winners. Jesper talked about acute extremity problems and adjusting for chronic injuries.
Ulrik Sandstrom talked to our students about ‘How to Shape Your Ideal Chiropractic Career.’ Ulrik has spent eleven seasons as a first-team chiropractor at Leicester Tigers Rugby Club and has been a first-team chiropractor at Leicester City Football Club since 2020. Ulrik has worked with an extensive range of elite athletes. Words of wisdom from Ulrik included: “Don’t believe everything you think,” “Build your own evidence,” “Believe you are worth it,” and “We treat people; we change lives.”
We welcomed Meriel Davis, registered as an Internationally Certified Sport Chiropractor (ICSC) and Fellow of the Royal College of Chiropractors (RCC), for her experience and contribution to chiropractic and elite sports. Meriel is also Chair of the RCC Sports Council. Meriel talked about ‘Chiropractic and Sport: What You Can Do About It.’ Speaking at the event, Meriel talked about the “importance of integration,” “breaking down barriers in MSK health,” and “keeping your identity as a chiropractor; you are a chiropractor but integrate with the outside world.” Meriel also talked about the importance of networking and ways of getting involved in sports: “Get good at networking,” “Keep up to date,” “A chiropractic career is naturally entrepreneurial,” and “Show you have your finger on the pulse.”
Robert Beaven, Clinic Tutor within Clinical and Rehabilitation Services at AECC UC, Back Pain Podcast Host, and British Chiropractic Association (BCA) Chiropractor of the Year, joined us to present: ‘Groin Pain in Athletes: Theory and Clinical Presentation.’ Rob talked about the importance of asking questions and taking history, i.e., “risk factors,” and being aware of these in athletes.
Lastly, Aaron Coode, who has worked with professional cyclists and triathletes, is a Senior Clinic Tutor within Clinical and Rehabilitation Services at AECC UC and currently looks after the footballers at Southampton Football Club, talked to our students about ‘Groin Pain in Athletes Assessment and Management.’ Words of wisdom from Aaron included “It is important to practice your skills,” “What works?” and the importance of ensuring your “patient is happy and comfortable” with their rehabilitation treatments.
Photo: (left-to-right) Robert Beaven, Jesper Dahl, Meriel Davis, Nick Metcalfe, Ulrik Sandstrom and Glenn Winslade.
It was a packed programme, and Glenn Winslade, event organiser and Sport Practitioner Educator (Chiropractic) at AECC University College, said:
“Today’s first (and hopefully not last) ‘Sports Day’ for our Clinical Placement Students celebrates the first year we have introduced a sports placement into the Student Chiropractic Clinic. I wanted to give the students a taste of what chiropractors are doing in sport and what they value most, or how they assess, manage, and get the best out of their athletes. Whether that’s symptom management, injury prevention, or performance-related, and how they integrate into a multidisciplinary team in athlete-centred care.
“All of today’s speakers are AECC UC Alumni and offer something different, but all sing from the same ‘hymn sheet’ of athlete-centred care, centred around multidisciplinary care. I am forever grateful to the Guest Speakers for coming on campus to talk to the students and share their knowledge and expertise.”
