Adam Wallace-Harrison on Managing Pain in Professional Rugby
Professional rugby places enormous physical demands on the body. In this interview, Adam Wallace-Harrison shares his perspective on pain management, recovery, and what it takes to stay on the field in a high-impact sport.
See: Magnetic Therapy for Sports Injury Recovery
Adam Wallace-Harrison during his time with the Kobelco Steelers in Japan, highlighting the physical demands of professional rugby.
“Pain Management in Contact Sports”
I have been using Q-Magnets for a couple of years now. When I have had a particularly tough week of training I tend to get a stiff lower back. When this occurs I use Q-Magnets. Immediately after training I tape two magnets, one either side of my spine to my lower back. I usually leave them on overnight, waking up the next day with a greater range of movement.
I also get good results from using Q-Magnets whilst travelling. Travelling is obviously a major part of playing professional rugby and being 6 ft 6, a part that I have never particularly enjoyed. In the past before long flights I would take anti-inflammatory’s or worst case scenario if my lower back is particularly tight, muscle relaxants. Now that I use Q-Magnets I no longer need to use such drugs.
Whilst playing in Japan I was spending many hours on my feet at training on a hard training surface. At times my Achilles would pull up sore. When this occured I applied one Q-magnet either side of my Achilles and wore them like that while not training. Usually within 12–24 hours the soreness was gone.
The thing I like most about Q-Magnets is that they provide almost instant relief without the use of drugs. They are also very easy to use. Due to their small size and shape, I have no problems throwing them in my kit or travel bag. They are not bulky so when I do have them on they do not prohibit me from sleeping or doing day-to-day activities.
Like all rehabilitation aids you still need to treat the problem, they will not fix the problem. But they do give me drug-free relief, which is something that I need particularly when preparing for a game.
Adam Wallace-Harrison
Former Brumbies, Kobelco Steelers and Queensland Reds rugby player.
Professional rugby places repeated stress on muscles, joints, and connective tissue. Managing pain is not just about recovery after injury, it’s about maintaining performance over time.
Athletes often rely on a combination of strategies, including load management, physiotherapy, and recovery tools. Understanding how pain develops, and how it can become persistent, can play an important role in long-term performance.
For a deeper understanding of how pain can evolve over time, see our article on Why Pain Becomes Chronic And Why Early Treatment Matters.
Some approaches also explore how physical interventions interact with the nervous system. You can learn more about this in How Q Magnets Work? and our framework on Field | Dose | Placement.
