PATRICK LARKIN – PEAK ATHLETE

Pat had originally presented to PEAK in January of 2021, with an episode of acute lower back pain (after gardening). Pat had suffered recurrent back pain before, however this acute back spasm was far more severe than the usual back pain he’d experienced sitting and working as an engineer. Pat would allude to how his back pain episodes would limit him from living normally for days at a time. These episodes would be resolved in a week, and Pat would be back to his usual duties. After several episodes, Pat suggested that his back pain episodes were getting more frequent.  After every pain episode resolved Pat would feel more deconditioned, and getting back to his usual activities would take more time.

Pat had not been feeling like himself after receiving cancer treatment at the end of 2020. With this event leaving it’s physical, and psychological impact on Pat, on the background of now recurring, almost chronic back pain, there was a lot of uncertainty for Pat and his function and health moving forward. There is a famous Epictetus quote that says, “Everything has two handles, the one by which it may be carried, the other by which it cannot.”, I’ve learnt that Pat almost always chooses to grab the handle that can be carried. At the end of April Pat decided to start prevention classes to improve his function, and prevent pain.

Pat has come to PEAK every Wednesday at 5pm for his prevention class. On his first session Pat was squating 8kgs to a high seat, and had difficulty standing on one leg. Now Pat can squat 40kgs, and has shown significant improvements in balance and function. The next goal is to complete the Bridge to Brisbane event on August 25th.