From A Back Injury to Running Again: A Sponsored Athlete Story

My journey with Falmouth Osteopathic Clinic began when I needed treatment for a back injury. Through both NHS Osteopathic treatment and subsequent private sessions, I received an incredible amount of care, professionalism and support from the team.

What started as seeking help for an injury gradually became a much bigger part of my journey back to doing the things I enjoy.

More than treating an injury

Over time, the support I received from the Falmouth Osteopathic Clinic team went far beyond simply treating an injury.

The team have always taken the time to listen, whether I was talking about an injury, running, life or one of my increasingly questionable ideas!

One of those ideas was attempting to walk continuously for 24 hours around Argal Reservoir to raise money for local charities.

Taking on a 24-hour charity challenge

It was an ambitious challenge, but rather than telling me it was a terrible idea, the team encouraged me, helped me prepare and supported me throughout the process.

When the challenge itself arrived, I was incredibly lucky to have members of the Falmouth Osteopathic Clinic team come along and join me for a lap of the lake.

By that point, I was approaching 20 hours of continuous walking, limping badly and running very low on energy. Their encouragement, alongside the support of so many others who joined me throughout the challenge, helped me keep going and ultimately complete the full 24 hours.

Their support didn't end when the challenge did.

The following day, I was gifted a one-hour sports therapy massage at Falmouth Osteopathic Clinic. After 24 hours of walking, it was, in all honesty, rather painful - but it was exactly what I felt I needed.

That level of care and generosity is something I will never forget.

It isn't every day that you can say members of your Osteopathic clinic team turned up to take part in your 24-hour charity challenge simply to support you. The Falmouth Osteopathic Clinic team went far beyond what I could ever have expected, and saying that I appreciated it feels like a huge understatement.

Finding my way back to running

As my Osteopathic treatment continued, our conversations naturally turned towards running.

At the time, one of the clinic team was taking on the Saints & Smuggler's 100 challenge - a series of runs which together totalled 100 miles and included their first ultramarathon, and first marathon.

Watching someone take on that challenge, push themselves beyond their comfort zone and complete their first ultra was incredibly inspiring. I genuinely believe it was one of the catalysts that helped me find my way back into running.

When I joined Carn Runners, the Falmouth Osteopathic Clinic team were also there to help me manage the injuries and niggles that came with returning to the sport.

Having access to Osteopathic and sports injury support while also being encouraged to challenge myself in a positive way was invaluable.

The team have always struck the right balance between professionalism, honesty, encouragement and genuine care. They have supported me through injuries, challenges and some ambitious goals, and I have enormous respect and gratitude for everything they have done for me.

From treatment to becoming a Sponsored Athlete

What began as seeking Osteopathic treatment for a back injury ultimately became something much bigger.

Through my return to running and the challenges I began taking on, my relationship with Falmouth Osteopathic Clinic developed beyond simply seeking treatment when something hurt. Becoming part of the Sponsored Athlete Programme gave me continued support as I worked towards new goals and challenged what I thought I was capable of.

For me, that support has never simply been about treating a sports injury. It has been about having knowledgeable people around me who understand what I am trying to achieve and want to help me keep doing the things I enjoy.

Looking back

I no longer require regular Osteopathic treatment, but if I need support again in the future, there is absolutely no question that I will return to Falmouth Osteopathic Clinic.

For me, the clinic represents much more than treatment. It is expertise combined with compassion, encouragement and a genuine investment in the people they look after.

The Falmouth Osteopathic Clinic team have contributed to a journey that has had a far greater impact on me than simply getting my back better.

I will always be incredibly grateful for the care and encouragement I have received and for the way the whole team has gone above and beyond.

I couldn't recommend Falmouth Osteopathic Clinic more highly.