TRX helps Val return to her active life after injury

Val Toomey, 67, had a very active life, including Nordic walking, 100k walking challenges, zumba, gym workouts, Pilates and swimming. Then, in October 2017, she slipped on the stairs on a bus when it suddenly braked, moved off, and then braked again. In trying to keep her balance, she wrenched her right shoulder.

The resulting injury made it very difficult to elevate and rotate her arm, and the shoulder became much weaker. She was able to carry on with the walking but had to stop, or was restricted in, all her other activities.

When things didn’t improve, Val saw her GP and was referred for a scan, which revealed a partial thickness tear, for which surgery was not necessary. She saw a physiotherapist, who gave her some exercises to do at home, but, as she explains: “I needed someone who could supervise the exercises I needed to do to improve movement. As I had done TRX with Albie in the past, I thought he was the best guy to see as I thought he would be able to focus the TRX exercises to target the injury.”

Her first TRX session was in February 2018, about four months after the accident, and she discussed what the physiotherapist had suggested with Albie so that he could develop a suitable programme.

“The TRX sessions have been brilliant. I can now swim crawl and backstroke as well as a more vigorous breast stroke,” she says. “I’m now able to put any top garments on without discomfort, my balance has improved, so I’m no longer paranoid about falling over. I’m sleeping better as I’m no longer woken up by the shoulder being painful and I can wash and brush my hair without any discomfort.

“I had a bit of a setback last September when I tripped over and badly bruised my ribs, but Albie took all that into consideration and adjusted the TRX exercises to help with that injury as well.

“I’ve been so pleased with the progress I’ve made and I’m more or less ready to gradually resume the activities I did before the accident. I intend to carry on with the TRX and I’ve signed up to do kettlebells too.”