Laetitia’s Story – Occupational Health
Sleepless nights and agonising pain became part of life for Laetitia, a yard person at Simon and Ed Crisford’s, when she developed capsulitis also known as ‘frozen shoulder’. Stiffness and severe pain in the joint left her incapacitated and unable to work.
Feeling helpless, Laetitia contacted Racing Welfare and welfare officer, Sarah, swiftly arranged a course of physiotherapy for her through racing’s occupational health service at Sir Peter O’Sullevan House in Newmarket. She recalls:
I was working mucking out on the yard and I hurt my shoulder by doing the same movements all the time. I have a minimum of eight horses to muck out in the morning, then the mangers are quite high and I lift two water buckets to a manger.
“I woke up one morning and literally couldn’t move my arm. It got worse and worse and I didn’t realise I actually had capsulitis. I couldn’t go to work as I couldn’t muck out with one arm – you need both arms when you work with horses.
“It was very tough being off work, it was horrible, I would be awake all night in pain. The first week it was terrible. It’s really awkward having the one arm and I really hate sitting around.
“I contacted Racing Welfare and three days later I had an appointment with a physio at Sir Peter O’Sullevan House. The physio told me I needed to rest and I had an anti-inflammatory injection as well right in the joint of my shoulder.
“At my final physiotherapy appointment, they were really happy with me.”
Rapid access to treatment funded by Racing Welfare has resulted in pain-free days and improved sleep for Laetitia. She is also thrilled to be back in the saddle after a three-year break:
“The treatment really sped up my recovery time. I was off for five weeks in total, it would have been way longer if I hadn’t have got the physio so quick.”
I haven’t ridden for three years but as of the summer I’m riding out and actually it’s a bit easier on my body. I know so many people who’ve had injuries and problems including my husband and Racing Welfare have helped them straight away. They are really looking after us.
If physical or mental health problems are affecting you at work, do not hesitate to contact us on 0800 6300 443. The support line is available 24/7 and fully confidential.
You can visit our occupational health page for more information on the service.
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