And now physiotherapist Alison Strudwick is back at Maitland Physiotherapy and Sports Injuries with the television on and her phone within reach.

Ms Strudwick was one of the volunteer physiotherapists in the polyclinic at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games who helped treat athletes from a range of sports including track and field, weightlifting and shooting.

“It was a constant buzz, there was always something happening and it was a good environment to work in,” she said. 

“It’s one of those once-in-a-lifetime things you can do, it’s not often that we get to host games in Australia, and if you can participate in some way when you love sport it’s nice to be involved.”

She worked in the clinic alongside sports physicians, radiologists, dentists, podiatrists and other physiotherapists. 

The clinic assisted athletes from a range of countries including those who did not have a travelling medical team with them. 

Some athletes had an existing injury they wanted to focus on, while others had became injured during training or competition. 

“They could have been injured at training or have subtle injuries and are trying to bring themselves up to a level, the best level they can get to,” she said.

Ms Strudwick said she was following the athletes she helped to find out how they performed in their events. 

“What they do when they get in the arena can surprise you – it can feel like they may not get there and then they do something amazing,” she said.