Sports & Spinal Injury Clinic Treats Commonwealth Athlete

Swimming athlete Niamh Robinson, who recently recovered from an injury with the help of the University of Bolton, is returning this year to the Commonwealth Games for the second time.

The Sports & Spinal Injury Clinic at Bolton One is a £31-million health, leisure and research centre built in partnership with Bolton Council, NHS Bolton and the University of Bolton. After suffering from knee pain following the first Commonwealth games, Niamh underwent treatment from Jessica Law, now a senior clinician at the Sports & Spinal Injury Clinic at Bolton One, commenting “I had an initial assessment with Jessica. She assessed my posture, how I was moving, how my muscles were working and how I could control certain movements and explained that my knee pain wasn’t actually coming from my knee! Jessica described what was going on, how to help make it better and avoid a reoccurrence. I received treatment and exercises that not only relieved my knee pain but made me much stronger and more stable both in and out of the water.”

Representing the Isle of Man at the age of 18, Niamh has already enjoyed many sporting achievements. Among her accolades, Niamh represented Great Britain at the Commonwealth Youth Games in 2015 at Apia, Samoa and thrived in the Energy Standard Cup 4 Nations Meet in Italy, winning three medals including two bronze and one silver. Following her successes, Niamh developed a shoulder injury and returned to see Jessica at the Bolton One facility to receive treatment and recuperate. Niamh describes the process; “After a lot of treatment, trigger pointing and soft tissue massage, I underwent an MRI and Ultrasound scan. It was confirmed that I had partially torn and worn away my upper bicep tendon due to over-use in the pool. Jessica treated me for my injury, as well as a number of small ‘niggles’ along the way. Since moving to my boarding school in Devon to pursue my swimming career further, I return to the Sports & Spinal Injury Clinic during my time at home and Jess gives me great maintenance treatment and exercises that prevent further injury.” “Upon the announcement of my selection for the Isle of Man Commonwealth Games team, which will take place on the Gold Coast, Australia, I would like to thank each member of the Bolton University Sports and Spinal Injuries department for their continued support.”

Jessica Law, who is also an Associate Lecturer in Sport Rehabilitation at the University of Bolton has treated a number of elite athletes at the state-of-the-art Bolton One facility. Bolton One includes an Athlete Development Centre as well as the university’s Centre for Research for Health & Well-Being. There is also an eight-lane, 25-metre competition swimming pool; a therapeutic hydrotherapy pool; a fitness suite; aerobics studio and community gym. Its facilities are open to both students and staff, as are the NHS services within Bolton One including GP services.

For any enquiries about the Sports & Spinal Injury Clinic or to book an appointment please call +44 (0)1204 903 680 or email ssic@bolton.ac.uk. More details are also available on the website at www.bolton.ac.uk/BoltonOne/SSIC.aspx.