Congratulations on this fantastic achievement!
This year’s race took place in rainy conditions, making it a very challenging competition.
Sumida also had several things to deal with personally leading up to the race, so he did not arrive at the starting line feeling completely at his best.
Even so, he focused on doing the best he could with his condition on the day, pushed through to the finish, and came away with the overall victory. It was an impressive performance.
Athlete Care Is Not Only About Treating Pain
At Pain Away Clinic, we treat general patients, but we also put a strong focus on supporting people involved in sports such as running, triathlon, golf, martial arts, and beach volleyball.
When working with athletes, one of the most important things for us is:
“Don’t just treat where it hurts. Find out why that area is being overloaded.”
For example, when a runner has knee pain, the knee itself may not always be the main cause.
Hip movement, ankle mobility, gluteal and core strength, and left-right balance can all affect how much stress is placed on the knee.
That is why at Pain Away Clinic, we do not only focus on the painful area. We also look at posture, joint mobility, muscle strength, movement, and overall body balance when planning treatment and conditioning.
Before and After Competition Require Different Types of Care
One of the most important factors when treating athletes is when the treatment is being performed.
If the muscles feel tight, it does not necessarily mean that strong muscle release is the best choice immediately before competition.
Over-relaxing the muscles or using too much stimulation before an event may affect an athlete’s ability to produce power or maintain stability.
Before competition, the goal is not simply to relax the body. We want to help prepare the body so that the athlete can move effectively and perform at their best.
After competition, the focus changes. We assess the condition of the fatigued body, support recovery, and help prepare the athlete for the next training session or competition.
Before Competition → Prepare for Performance
After Competition → Recovery & Next Performance
Even for the same athlete, the approach to body care should change depending on the timing and the goal.
Not Just Treatment — Care to Improve Performance
At Pain Away Clinic, we combine manual therapy, physical therapy, and acupuncture depending on each athlete’s condition, sport, and individual needs.
When necessary, we also assess joint mobility, muscle strength, posture, and movement patterns.
Our basic approach is:
Assessment → Treatment → Reassessment → Exercise
Our goal is not simply to say, “The pain is better, so the treatment is finished.”
We want to understand where the athlete is now in relation to their goal, what their body needs, and what the next step should be to help them continue training and performing.
Sumida’s overall victory at the Krabi Aqua Race 2026 is, above all, the result of his own hard work, training, and dedication.
Pain Away Clinic is proud to support Sumida and will continue to provide body care and conditioning as he works toward his next challenge.
