MOVEMENT IS MEDICINE
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MICHELLE CARLIN D.O.M.O.st.
Case Study
Treating the Martial Artist
Featuring Kato Martial Arts
At MC Osteopathy, I see patients from all walks of life, but treating high-level athletes always presents a unique set of challenges. Recently, I had the pleasure of treating Master Fowden, the Chief Instructor at Kato Martial Arts here in Hornchurch.
Injury, Treatment and Prevention
This overview highlights the client's injury, the hands on osteopathic treatment used to relieve pain and restore function and the key preventative strategies recommended to stop the issue returning.
The Injury
Master Fowden came to me with acute back pain sustained during a high-impact manoeuvre (a standing forward roll). Martial arts puts unique demands on the spine, it requires a combination of explosive power, extreme flexibility, and the ability to absorb impact.
How I treated it
My goal wasn't just to stop the pain, but to restore the mobility required for him to return to the dojo. I used a combination of soft tissue work and articulation to mobilise the spine and reduce the muscle spasm protecting the injury.
Prevention is better than cure
One thing that made treating Master Fowden easier was his underlying physical condition.
Martial arts training, specifically the kind taught by Shifu Fowden at Kato Martial Arts, builds incredible core strength and flexibility. Because his baseline strength was so high, his recovery time was significantly shorter than average.
I often tell my patients that "movement is medicine." Activities like martial arts, which focus on controlled movement, balance, and core stability, are actually some of the best ways to protect your back in the long run.
Get back on the mats
If you are a martial artist struggling with stiffness or an old injury that won't go away, book a consultation with me today. And if you are looking to build the kind of strength that protects your body, I highly recommend checking out the classes over at Kato Martial Arts.
