THE Basingstoke Bison have secured a super off-ice deal this week, which will see them link up with Physical Balance to help the Herd stars battle back from any injuries this season.

They are already looking after the rehab of Bison forward Grant Rounding after his recent surgery.

Matt Plested will continue in his role as team physio on match nights for the Herd, with the Physical Balance’s wide range of expertise being used to assess injuries afterwards and to make sure the players do not do any further

damage.

Basingstoke Bison player/coach Doug Sheppard is delighted with the new partnership and said: “Ice hockey is a very physical sport in which injuries unfortunately are very much part and parcel of the game.

“Having Physical Balance on board will mean we will get the best possible treatment for the players. It will mean we will know when we can play through an injury without causing any more damage and when we have to rest.”

“This has to mean we will have a much healthier team for more of the season and they are already working with Grant [Rounding] to get him back in our line-up.”

Physical Balance is located in a new clinic in Basing View, just 100 metres away from the new development of the John Lewis and Waitrose store.

They are open from 8.30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, with a late night opening until 8pm on Tuesday night. They have eight consultants providing many treatments in osteopathy, acupuncture, sports therapy, chiropody, sports massage and sports taping.

Joe Allnutt, one of the consultants at the Physical Balance, is currently in charge of the treatment of Rounding and as a former Bison physio he knows exactly what the sport of ice hockey entails.

He is also a keen sportsman himself, playing for Hook and Newnham Basics Cricket Club.

He said: “All of us at the clinic are looking forward to being involved with the Bison and helping them out during the season.

“I know from when I was a physio with the team, injuries are unavoidable due to the nature of the sport. I am sure with all expertise in so many fields we can really help them out and keep their players on the ice, which is what they want.”

Allnutt feels coming from a sporting background also helps when treating injuries and said: “I know what ice hockey is all about and what happens during a game. So I can make a much better assessment when players can play without causing anymore damage to themselves.

“I know as a sportsman you always want to play and it is never easy to miss a game or weekend, but sometimes it is best in the long run to sit out a few weeks. “

Of course as well as treating the Herd players, Physical Balance treatments are open to anyone. For more information about Physical Balance, contact info@physicalbalance.com or telephone 01256 770022.