13/09/2025
🚨 🚩
Last night I attended a regular client who had been suffering with severe back pain since Tuesday after injuring himself whilst working on his driveway.
We had scheduled a session for 8.30pm and we had discussed contraindications prior and there were none whatsoever, but it soon became clear that this was no ordinary case.
I soon realised that he had no control of his legs they felt extremely heavy and he was unable to tell his body to move them himself, was unable to walk, and described his pain as a 10 around the L5 area. He then ended up having a controlled fall (luckily not hitting his head or injuring himself) whilst me and his family were present.
There were serious red flags for suspected Cauda Equina Syndrome/ acute spinal compression, which is a medical emergency. I immediately called 999 and paramedics arrived quickly, gave him Entonox and transferred him straight to hospital.
Cauda Equina is rare but potentially life-changing if not acted on quickly, with symptoms including severe back pain, loss of leg function, difficulty walking, changes in bladder or bowel control, or numbness in the saddle area. Whether it was CE or not, the main thing right now was to rule out any spinal damage which could cause paralysis.
Every second counts in these situations, and my role as a professional is not just about treatment, but also about recognising contraindications, knowing when to stop, and ensuring clients get the urgent help they need.
Doing the best for my clients means prioritising their safety first and foremost.
Always be aware of any red flags when it comes to pain or illness, as time is critical and early action can make all the difference.
Wishing my client a speedy recovery 🙏🏻💙
