[Written by Stephen Wright]
Dr Aidan Shepherd’s route from semi-professional football in England into chiropractic care on the island has been shaped by injury, education and a drive to understand performance.
After a year working in the Cayman Islands, the 24-year-old has recently joined Spine & Sport Bermuda on Church Street.
He brings a strong sporting background to a role in which he treats a wide range of patients, from athletes to office workers.
“I’ve always been into my sports and competed in a wide range, although football was my biggest passion,” Shepherd told Bernews.
“I played at a good level in the UK — the Southern League [levels seven and eight in the English football pyramid].
“I was taking it very seriously, but it ultimately led me down this career path as, like a lot of athletes, I became fascinated by performance, injury prevention and management.”
Dr Shepherd said his studies and football developed alongside each other, with his academic learning directly complementing his time on the pitch.
“I didn’t put all my eggs in one basket with football and knew I needed something alongside it,” he said.
“I went to university and gained my qualifications while still playing, and the two really fed into each other.”
His playing career included a debut for Wimborne Town at 16, along with spells at Shaftesbury, Hamworthy and Bashley in non-league football.
He said injuries played a key role in shaping his professional direction.
“I had a cascade of injuries while playing men’s football, which I had to deal with, and having that knowledge allowed me to approach them in the right way and maximise my own performance,” he said.
After qualifying, Shepherd spent a year working at a practice in Cayman before moving to Bermuda at the start of this year.
“I wanted to see some of the world and experience different cultures,” he said.
“I really liked the look of Bermuda and connected with Reid Robinson, the owner of Spine & Sport, and had always liked the idea of working in the clinic. So far, it’s been great.”
The clinic treats a broad mix of patients beyond just athletes.
“We see a huge variety of people from all walks of life,” Shepherd said. “We attract a lot of local athletes, but we’re certainly not limited to that.
“We also treat people who work in office environments with the classic desk posture and associated aches and pains.”
He said the range of conditions reflects the breadth of musculoskeletal care.
“We see everything from wrist, ankle, hip and elbow issues to muscle strains and sporting injuries,” he said, “which is great because you’re not just limited to lower back and neck pain.”
A significant experience that shaped his approach came during his university years, when he worked in hospitals, nursing homes and care settings.
“It had a massive impact on the person I’ve become,” he said. “It’s very humbling work and requires a great deal of empathy.”
Those experiences continue to shape how he views patient outcomes.
“For some elderly patients, it’s about regaining mobility to go out for walks and spend time with friends,” he added.
“For athletes, it’s about maximising their physical and athletic performance.”
Shepherd has also continued playing football since arriving in Bermuda, featuring in the Corona League for Terrace Onions and scoring twice on his debut in a 4-1 win over defending champions Inter BDA.
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