The Department of Chiropractic at the Durban University of Technology (DUT) takes pride in its active involvement, in providing care for athletes who took part in the South African Medical Association (SAMA) Half Marathon, hosted by the Phoenix Villagers Athletics Club at Kings Park Athletic Stadium on 18 February, 2024.
Under the guidance of clinician, Dr Junaid Shaik, six senior chiropractic students, Imaan Fakir, Jasmine Lloyd, Sarah Milne, Nabeelah Khan, Dayle Swanepoel, Tia Botha, and Huveshan Pillay energetically addressed various musculoskeletal injuries and conditions experienced by participants after completing the SAMA Half Marathon.
DUT student, Swanepoel happily shared her thoughts on her experience. “I found it very enjoyable by being able to help those that had completed a long-distance run and join in their celebrations. I found my hand sensitivity to detecting muscle imbalances is improving as I can detect these by palpation rather than the patient telling me,” she said.
For Pillay, treating runners at the SAMA Half Marathon for the first time had been an incredibly fulfilling experience for him as he would never forget the improvements post-treatment compared to when they walked in for treatment.
“The SAMA Half Marathon had a good atmosphere and allowed for gaining invaluable hands-on experience and application of theoretical knowledge to real world situations. It also helped to develop good bedside manner and communication skills which are vital for all medical and chiropractic students to possess when entering the world of work following graduation,” added Milne.
Dr Shaik commented that through active participation in prominent events, students acquire invaluable experience and insights that align with their future roles as Doctors of Chiropractic.
“This engagement extends beyond the application of theoretical and practical knowledge learned in the classroom, providing students with the opportunity to interact with individuals from diverse backgrounds. Such interactions not only foster networking opportunities but also serve as a platform for honing organisational and technical skills necessary for event preparation,” he said.
Dr Shaik further expressed that this multifaceted experience is seamlessly integrated with the vision of DUT and its Faculty of Health Sciences ENVISION2030, an initiative that underscores the university’s commitment to societal impact and producing adaptable graduates.
He explained that the allocation of time and access to practical experiences are invaluable resources for students.
“Each event serves as a platform for the application and refinement of their knowledge and skills, requiring adaptability in addressing patients whose conditions deviate from textbook examples. The exposure to diverse practical scenarios fosters an understanding of interdisciplinary patient care, and aids in cultivating essential bedside manners and communication skills crucial for any healthcare professional,” he replied.
Dr Shaik indicated that any support that the university can provide to the chiropractic students and the department to carry out its vital mandate of clinical teaching and community service would be greatly appreciated.
“The department extends its gratitude to the organisers and SAMA for the invitation and support, eagerly anticipating the opportunity to make a positive contribution at next year’s race. We also wish to thank Mr Alan Khan, and the Corporate Affairs team in creating awareness of such initiatives,” he said.
Pictured: From Left to Right: Imaan Fakir, Jasmine Lloyd, Sarah Milne, Nabeelah Khan, Dayle Swanepoel (seated), Tia Botha, Huveshan Pillay, Dr Akhtar Hussain (SAMA), and Dr Junaid Shaik (DUT).
Supplied/Waheeda Peters
