5MINUTESWITH XXX 5 MINUTES WITH INTERVIEW 5 MINUTES WITH DR TIM LOW THIS ISSUE, SPORT HEALTH HAD THE PLEASURE OF SPEAKING WITH DR TIM LOW, A SPORTS DOCTOR BASED AT CENTRAL WEST SPECIALISTS IN ORANGE, NSW. Tell me a little about your sports What is your favourite aspect medicine background. of your job? It’s personal… I have always been a sports Helping people and getting a kick out fanatic, playing everything growing up of giving patients their ‘light bulb’ in the bush – sport was my life. Aged 21, moments about why something hurts. I had the cursed ACL rupture and had an Keeping people in sport by helping them ACL reconstruction and some more manage their injuries so they can keep experimental surgery (MACI). I decided getting all the physical and mental health at this point, I wanted/needed to know benefits. Almost forgot – lots of more about injuries and went on to motivated patients who follow complete a medical degree. I intended your advice and get better!! on applying for the College of Sports and Exercise Physicians but took a different What has been the highlight path when I discovered I could stay in of your career? a rural location and do GP training and then a Masters of Sports Medicine. I was extremely fortunate to come across one There’s a few – completing a Masters m of the best doctors on the planet, the of Sports Medicine whilst working gifted and generous Dr Gareth Thomas full-time and having 2 toddlers was who was kind enough to let me sit in an achievement!! Going on tour as with him weekly to learn the art of sports Orange Emus Rugby Club team doctor medicine. Gareth also got me involved to the USA in 2017 was a great with Sports Medicine Australia (SMA) experience. However, sitting poolside and Sports Doctors Australia (SDrA) as a medical volunteer at the Gold Coast and for the past 2 years, I have been Commonwealth Games was sensational Treasurer of SDrA. – when an Aussie swimmer was coming home strong, the place erupted! What does a typical day for you consist of? How did you become involved with SMA? A consulting day is varied!! Seeing patients from paediatrics, all the way Blackmail – Dr Gareth Thomas said to the elderly. Some sports-related he wouldn’t train me unless I became injuries – some not sports related a member. (showing the kids on Christmas day how to use their new toy!) I have What do you think the benefit of a special interest in concussion and being a SMA member provides, have been involved with a local secondary school doing some especially within your field? concussion screening to help with concussion management. Throw in Meeting and sharing knowledge and ideas a few injections and some Workcover with like-minded people. Sports medicine and that covers most of it. 4 VOLUME 36 • ISSUE 2 2018