Articles

As an osteopath who treats patients on a daily basis suffering with pain, sprains or strains, I have always been fascinated by the limits that the human body can be pushed too and how it can adapt to extreme levels of physical and emotional strain.

This is one of the reasons I am drawn to ultra marathon running and extreme racing events, as they give me a personal insight into the coping mechanisms and huge adaptive potential of the body. This makes it easier for me to relate to the people I help in clinic, especially those who participate in sport, as I have a fairly good idea of what they are putting their bodies through.

The whole process of preparation, including training, increasing stretching, carrying out specific exercises if required and monitoring nutrition and fluid intake, is a useful learning experience. It encourages me to increase my own knowledge (for self preservation) as well as constantly review different approaches for keeping the body going when it reaches a physical or mental barrier and how to help aid recovery afterwards.

In addition to the professional benefits, there is a huge sense of personal achievement, both physical and mental when you manage to drag your body to the finish line. I think most of us have experienced this in one form or another.

Also there is the added benefit of keeping fit and healthy and not feeling too guilty about having the odd beer or burger now and again!

Life is made up of little challenges and I have always believed that testing ones limits, although usually painful, can often give you some of the greatest rewards.

I think T.S. Eliot captured it well in words:

‘Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far they can go’

Paul Bell – BSc(Hon) Osteopath