Feting-physio Douglas Evelyn gives post carnival body remedy
Published:Wednesday | April 19, 2023 | 1:38 AMKrysta Anderson/Staff Reporter
This was by no means a small fête. It was the official return of Carnival in Jamaica and costumed masqueraders paraded the streets of Kingston intent on playing mas. But being a ‘socavivor’ one or two days later may also mean enduring new aches and pains. Feting-physio Douglas Evelyn shares how you can tackle post carnival body remedies.
They call him ‘Mr Fete’, and for good reason. Evelyn has jumped with Bacchanal Jamaica and Xaymaca in the past, to now chippin’ down the road with Yard Mas in the present. But he also prides himself on taking a serious approach to recovery from strenuous activities.
“When you do a strenuous workout, you may feel pain the day or up to two days after. Some persons will have a delayed onset of muscle soreness. The entire body feels fatigued due to the build-up of lactic acid,” the physiotherapist told The Gleaner.
Preparing for Yard Mas carnival on Sunday, Evelyn’s game plan going in was rehydration. “This year, it being the [first] official road march since COVID-19, it was truly an amazing experience. I did jump last year but everyone was still unsure. Going into the road march, I slept the night before and I ensured that I remained hydrated throughout the day. When I wasn’t feting, I was resting.”
Rehydration also played an integral part in his recovery process as well. He has been chugging down water as his post-carnival remedy.
With this tried-and-true rubric, he has been making this similar recommendation for his clients and revellers post-mas, “Make sure that you rehydrate. Because you sweat, it is important for you to replace electrolytes and supplement with drinks like Gatorade or coconut water.” It is vital to also eat balanced meals, getting the proper nutrients and taking the vitamins, since there are those who neglect the bodies in the process of feting.
If you are aching, the professional advises that even though you may feel “pop down”, it’s best to incorporate light stretches and yoga to help with the circulation. Exercises like walking or seated cycling going forward will also help to alleviate the stress and pressure, and aid in circulation in case of swelling or tiredness in the lower limbs (the targeted ‘fête’ area) and reduce swelling and increase fresh blood to the muscles.
Elevating the feet as much as possible after the march helps to reduce swelling of the feet. Wearing compression sleeves or tights will also work in your recovering favour.
When conversations of soreness versus possible injuries entered the chat, the fête-physio shared a clear distinction between discomfort and excruciating pain. “Soreness is closely related to discomfort but if you’re in pain, weak or have a limited range of motion, then something is seriously affected and you should see a doctor or a physiotherapist,” he endorsed.
Receiving visits from masqueraders since carnival, he has spent the last few days providing anti-inflammatory remedies to relax muscles so that they can go back to a regular routine. “Everybody has a carnival body. It’s about preparing for the big day. So going forward, any body that the road gets, it is important that we are physically ready to be the ultimate soca reveller.”