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Pulled your hamstring? Shoulders feeling a bit stiff?? Well,
here’s Ronald, the man behind the scene, when squash players need
their bodies reconditioned. Been in Malaysia for almost 8 years,
he has travelled with the squash team to various levels of
tournaments. But hey, not only as a sports therapist, but also the
best…and loudest supporter I’ve ever encountered! A jolly and
caring guy from Canada, he has proved himself to many athletes
around the world as the guru in his field. We had coffee at
Starbucks, Mt Kiara last Sunday, and I couldn’t help but to have a
great time with him…despite the frost bites I got from the
over-cooled café. So, from ‘Painful la!’ moans to ‘Wah, no more
pain!’ compliments, he tells us about his work with the Malaysian
squash players. |
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What was the worst experience you had with an
athlete during a treatment? |
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Ronald
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Haha…the
worst stuff is when an athlete had durian! There was a little boy from
Alor Setar, and he came over for his treatment. He was telling me he
had stomach pain. I just checked everything and when I pushed on his
stomach, he burped and farted on my table. And it was sooo smelly…I
wanted to die! |
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Haha…I
thought it’d be some smelly feet thing! |
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Ronald
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No,
that’s not too bad. I think the athletes respect me a lot. |
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After years working with squash players…what
do you think of them? |
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Ronald
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Basically, they’re one of the most educated group. I feel that they
are westernized and easy to work with, athletes who are in contact
with their bodies. Some of the other athletes are very difficult. They
think that you are a service to them. When I see squash players, I see
international individuals. That’s why they are performing worldwide.
They are opening to the world. Also appreciating the culture and food
from elsewhere, that gives you an edge. |
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I’m glad you see us that way. Your
treatment…what does a session begins with? |
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Ronald
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Ok. It depends whether the person’s injured, he comes to regenerate or
in between two events…there’re so many things. I would sit down with
the athlete and ask him how he’s feeling, so that he would give me
some information about his body reaction. |
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And what
happens next? |
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Ronald
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Usually,
I’ll use the electrotherapy with dry heat, and hot pack. That’s to
make sure we warm up the body, give indication and disassociate the
brain from the pain or spasm. Then, I’ll start with the manual
therapy, normal Swedish or sports massage to enable the lymphatic
drainage. After that, I’ll work with myofascial therapy, using the
counter strength technique that has been quite successful for the past
19 years for me. |
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I agree. It has certainly worked for me!
What’s the ambience of your treatment area like? |
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Ronald
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It’s so
important! Like for me, dimmer lights and music….according to the
taste of each athlete. I believe that it’s an aid to the therapy by
lowering their brain waves, because most of the spasms and pain are
emotionally induced. So, if I want to control the mind, I have to use
music to sedate the person as well as my therapy. |
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Is that why you sing while massaging us? |
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Ronald
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Haha…I
love singing! What can I say? It’s part of me, it’s part of my family
heritage. Being in my office is like being in my shower. Haha! |
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Continue |
