Ballers on and off the Court

At HeCares our services aren’t confined to the clinic room. As a team, we are constantly involved in supporting each other and our respective communities. An example of this is how we show up for our teammates on and off the court.  For the last several years, HeCares has sponsored sports teams to help them pay for uniforms, registration fees, practice and competition locations, etc. One such recipient of this sponsorship is an adult women’s basketball team based in Campbell.  
 
After having a disappointing season in a higher level division, the team decided to drop down one level.  The following season did not end with much better results. Injuries, some unfilled positions, and possibly a lack of confidence led to a second season with 0 wins! Several players came to our clinic seeking treatment for injuries, primarily knee pain, low back pain, and ankle sprains. I had the pleasure of treating many of these athletes alongside Dr. Frank He.  One such case involved a traumatic knee injury.  Suspecting that it was more serious than the patient thought, we had to utilize our medical community and promptly sent her for imaging. Sure enough, she had an ACL tear that would require surgery.  Sadly, even with acupuncture she would not be playing the next season.

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 In addition to the medical support, it turned out the team needed players to round out their lineup.  They had guards but were short on forwards and centers.  Always willing to help, it just seemed natural that I join the women’s team sponsored by HeCares.  So, as part of our ongoing effort to support our community, I became the newest member of Ace. 

After the first two very close games, my new team had its first win! This after losing 23 games straight from their previous two seasons!!!  What a celebration!  Game 5 our point guard showed up with acute torticollis, AKA, a stiff neck. She woke up the morning of game day unable to turn her head.  The symptoms only continued to worsen throughout the day. Well, we wouldn’t have another win without one of our key players, so my medical expertise was necessary once again, this time courtside. A quick pre game assessment showed me that she had a muscles spasm, which I could treat with massage and stretching.  Fortunately, I was able to treat her right then and there.  Warming up, loosening up, and playing the game, I surmised would take care of the rest.  This assessment was correct and here we were, with only 6 players that evening, taking home our second victory!  This was a major milestone in proving to the team that we could win with the skill set and talents that we collectively possessed.  Of course, it never would have been possible with a point guard who couldn’t turn her head.  Now we are in our 10th week and have a record of 6-4 (wins-losses) and are headed to the playoffs!  Our spirits are high and things are looking good.  Team building, confidence building, community building, wellness building. That is what we do here at HeCares. Glad to be part of the team.

Leia Sutton-Barnes, L. Ac.

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