Newcastle United forward Callum Wilson has revealed that a chat with a physiotherapist led him to seek professional help for mental health issues that had dogged him since childhood.
The revelation came in a podcast made by the former England international, which features in a report on the BBC website that was published on 26 May.
Callum, 33, said he decided to see a therapist around this time last year after he had an argument with a Newcastle physiotherapist during a gym session.
‘The physio, who noticed a change in Wilson’s mood and demeanour in subsequent days, suggested he would benefit from professional help,’ the BBC reported.
Callum, who played for England at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, said: ‘What I’ve realised is when football and life are going great, you can block it out. I’ve had a period over the past 18 months where I’ve had setback after setback, things just got on top and basically it was too much to suppress. It all rose to a head, and I was like: “I need to seek therapy now.”’
He added: ‘It took a bit of bravery to realise that as strong as I feel my mind is at times, you also can speak. Even just speaking to her [the therapist] was a great help.’
The BBC article highlighted the fact that the lines between physical and mental health are often blurred in sports medicine practice and brought some of the issues to the attention of the wider public.
It prompted PhysioUpdate to asked experienced sports and performance physiotherapist Nick Worth to comment, in a general way, about the issue and how physios might handle issues as they arise.
A ‘positive outlook’ is vital in rehab
Nick most recently worked as a consultant sports physiotherapist with Bradford City FC, who, he was thrilled to announce last month, won promotion to League One on the final day of the season.
He said: ‘In sports physiotherapy – and in all types of physiotherapy – the psychological side of rehabilitating athletes (or patients) is as important as the physical.
‘As physiotherapists, we are often in a privileged position of gaining the trust of the people we work with. This relationship between physiotherapist and patient can have a profound influence on how quickly or successfully they rehabilitate from injury.
‘The “sweet spot” for rehabilitation is when the patient is able to work in tandem with their physiotherapist on the physical and psychological aspects of their injury and performance effortlessly’ [Nick Worth]
‘As a physiotherapist, the language you use and having a positive outlook for patients is a major factor in the confidence that the patient will have in your knowledge and experience and this can enhance the way that they approach their recovery and motivation to comply with your advice.’
Physiotherapists in football and other sports often forge close relationships with athletes during lengthy spells of rehabilitation, when pressures can mount on the injured player, says Nick.
‘When patients are injured, they can experience a range of negative emotions – especially in professional athletes – and so having a reassuring rapport that allows the patient to express their concerns and feelings in a supportive environment is crucial to success.
Picking up on ‘subtle clues’
‘While physiotherapists don’t always appreciate how important body language and subtle verbal cues may be, they can make a big difference to the working relationship with a patient.
‘In sports, there are often opportunities to discuss situations with sports psychologists or similar professionals, but there is a wealth of resources available – especially podcasts – which can be helpful to physiotherapists wishing to develop their psychological support skills for their patients.’
In April, Nick featured in a podcast exploring medico-legal issues in elite football and sports for an Injury Rehab Network event with BASRaT [British Association of Sports Rehabilitators]. The event attracted 120 sports rehabilitation practitioners. PhysioUpdate readers who missed the original podcast can catch up with a recording that is available to watch here.
What is the ‘sweet spot’ in rehab?
In conclusion, Nick told PhysioUpdate: ‘The “sweet spot” for rehabilitation is when the patient is able to work in tandem with their physiotherapist on the physical and psychological aspects of their injury and performance effortlessly.
‘Open dialogue and trust in each other create a supportive and positive atmosphere that promotes reassurance, and this has a direct effect on the success of the rehabilitation.’
To read the BBC article about Callum Wilson, see: https://bit.ly/4e2jaQF
Nick is a consultant sports and performance physiotherapist who runs a private practice and is chair of the Society of Musculoskeletal Medicine (SOMM). For more information about SOMM, click
