Physiotherapists help people affected by injury, illness or disability through movement and exercise, manual therapy, education and advice. They maintain health for people of all ages, helping patients to manage pain and prevent disease. The profession helps to encourage development and facilitate recovery, enabling people to stay in work while helping them remain independent for as long as possible.

Physiotherapy is a science-based profession and takes a ‘whole person’ approach to health and well-being, which includes the patient’s general lifestyle. At the core is the patient’s involvement in their own care, through education, awareness, empowerment and participation in their treatment

Physiotherapy is a degree-based healthcare profession. Physios use their knowledge and skills to improve a range of conditions associated with different systems of the body, such as:

• Neurological (stroke, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s)
• Musculoskeletal (back pain, whiplash associated disorder, sports injuries, arthritis)
• Cardiovascular (chronic heart disease, rehabilitation after heart attack)
• Respiratory (asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cystic fibrosis).

Physiotherapists work in a variety of specialisms in health and social care. Additionally, some physiotherapists are involved in education, research and service management.

A soft tissue injury (STI) is the damage of muscles, ligaments and tendons throughout the body. Common soft tissue injuries usually occur from a sprain, strain, a one off blow resulting in a contusion or overuse of a particular part of the body. Soft tissue injuries can result in pain, swelling, bruising and loss of function.

Soft tissue therapy is the mobilisation/manipulation of your tendons, ligaments, fascia, skin, fat, muscles, fibrous tissues, nerves, blood vessels, synovial membranes, and connective tissue. It goes under many names, but most of us know it as massage.

Your muscles function by increasing their tension and contracting, then relaxing. They get shorter in length when they contract. They may contract voluntarily ie. when carrying out a movement or involuntarily as in response to pain or your body trying to protect itself.

Pain, muscle weakness, a restricted range of motion, and a misalignment of the skeletal system can potentially occur if the muscle loses it’s mobility. This may be to do with the formation of scar tissue/adhesions following injury, or if the muscle is unable to relax sufficiently (for a variety of reasons) or there has been a prolonged lack of lengthening movements to that area. However, there are instances when a muscle will ‘tense’ in response to an underlying problem. Assessment and treatment of soft tissue problems is not just simply massaging ‘knots’ and ‘tension’ away, it is looking at the ‘big picture’. We want to know how the problem has developed and what appropriate action to take. For some, it may be that an urgent scan/xray/medical opinion is needed and massage is the last thing they need. It is more important to know when not to treat. It is also essential that the practitioner has an in depth knowledge of anatomy and knowledge regarding how much pressure it is safe to use in a particular area. We have found that musculoskeletal problems respond better to a combined approach. We use acupuncture/dry needling/electro-acupuncture to address pain and muscle spasm from a neural (nerve) perspective. Blending together an array of soft tissue skills to address the soft tissue interfaces we find is beneficial used in conjunction with other therapies we offer. In our whole body approach to addressing a problem we also need to factor in exercises, posture, biomechanics, muscle patterning and imbalances, pathology, injuries and lifestyle.

• Myofascial release
• Trigger point therapy
• Sports massage
• Deep tissue massage
• Connective tissue massage
• Positional release
• Deep transeverse frictions

A soft tissue injury (STI) is the damage of muscles, ligaments and tendons throughout the body. Common soft tissue injuries usually occur from a sprain, strain, a one off blow resulting in a contusion or overuse of a particular part of the body. Soft tissue injuries can result in pain, swelling, bruising and loss of function.

A personal trainer is someone who ultimately helps you reach your fitness goals! Although many people feel that they can achieve their goals on their own, there is only a very small percentage that WILL! Having a personal trainer will help ensure proper form, accountability, a resource for mixing up work-out routines, and  added motivation. Although a personal trainer myself, I still find that having other trainers train me is always a better way to workout then alone. Having someone beside you to give you that extra bit of motivation and testing your limits is priceless! Especially as you conquer each goal!

A Personal Trainer is an individual who helps create an individualized approach to fitness based on client goals and present condition/limitations. A personal trainer should be certified, and/or accredited by a nationally recognized agency/group. A personal trainer can help motivate a client, and accelerate the rate at which a client could potentially see results. Personal Trainers are experts in the exercise field, and should have an extensive understanding of human anatomy. Personal Trainers are great resources for any level of fitness, from beginner to advanced.

A personal trainer is a fitness expert whose main role is to help clients achieve fitness goals. Goals can be weight loss, toning, or just practicing a more healthy lifestyle. A trainer will develop an individualized plan with smart goals.  It is up to the client whether or not they would like group training or one-on-one training. In addition, it is also the client’s decision as to whether or not they train at a gym or in their home.  When seeking a personal trainer, make sure thorough research is done. You want to make sure that you are comfortable with your choice.

Rehabilitation is the mental and physical process to get back to how you used to live and function. Problems can occur after picking up an injury, or having an accident, that prevent you from being able to carry out normal day to day tasks.

The main aim of one to one Physical Training is working alongside the physiotherapists in devising a programme for you to use within a gym setting or at home to aid with recovery following an injury/operation, or to gain optimal strength & conditioning pre-operatively.

Your programme will be devised after a thorough initial consultation where your movement patterns will be assessed, any strengths deficits detected and muscular tightness addressed.

Each clients progression is very much an individual process. Training variables, ie load, volume, intensity frequency will be closely monitored and altered by your trainer to make sure a safe, yet progressive programme is devised for return to normal life/sport.

By training your core, strength and flexibility you will ensure a controlled and achievable return to general function or sport.