who is
Alastair Bolton
BSc(Hons)DipMSKMed MCSP MAACP HCPC
Chartered Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist
I am passionate about helping people learn more about their bodies to tackle a wide range of problems. Whether it’s an acute sporting injury or something you’ve put up with for several years, I love the challenge of working out what’s wrong and seeing what I can do to help.
Education is key and is the driver for us to create a treatment plan that works for you. The best results come from someone who is engaged and takes ownership of their treatment programme and I’m here to help you do that.
Book with Alastair here
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did you decide to train as a physio?
A career in physiotherapy was suggested to me while I was on work experience with a military physical training instructor because of its combination of sport and medicine. As I learned more about the profession and undertook some physio work experience, I became more and more enticed. I wanted to work in a setting that was varied, mentally challenging and gave me a chance to help people.
Where did you train and what was the course like?
I trained at Bournemouth University and went straight after my A-levels. Not only was it great fun spending 3 years living by the sea, but the small class size and the large practical element of the course attracted me. We went on five 6-week placements across Dorset and Somerset, all in NHS settings.
Tell us about your career so far
After finishing my degree, I took a couple of months out to lead a charitable project in Fiji before moving back to Gloucestershire to start my first job. I started my NHS rotational job working in the community respiratory team where I spent 8 months taking pulmonary rehab classes and visiting patients in their homes. Since then, I have worked in musculoskeletal physiotherapy in Stroud, Cirencester and currently Bourton-on-the-Water.
Outside of the NHS, as soon as I returned to Stroud, I became involved with the rugby team’s injury clinic. This led to taking up some physiotherapy work in the attached clinic and introducing Pilates classes. I joined Dyer Street in January 2020 and haven’t looked back since.
What is your favourite type of patient?
Nothing beats a motivated patient. Someone who is eager to find out what they can do to help themselves and is open to learning. I really enjoy treating sports injuries and helping people return to sport but the great thing about this job is that every day is different, and that’s what makes it really interesting.
What is your style of practice?
My style is an evidence-based approach but also one that is patient led. I like to keep up to date with the latest papers and journal articles in physiotherapy and if I can educate you on what research tells us work best, you can make an informed choice. A lot of the latest research stresses the importance and benefits of exercise so finding the best exercises to suit you is often my number one. However, there is also a role for hands-on, manual treatments and I enjoy using Pilates to help people with various issues, but especially back pain.
What will we find you doing outside of the clinic?
I used to referee rugby to a semi-pro level, but now after a Saturday shift, you’re more likely to see me at Kingsholm following Gloucester. In the summer cricket takes over my life as I’m chairman of Haresfield Gladiators. When time allows, my other passion is travel.
What are your aims for the future?
I’m keeping my options open. I’d like to start teaching Pilates again and when I do I hope to gain my full APPI Pilates qualification. I’ve recently qualified in offering acupuncture and further down the line I would like to look into injection therapy. Mainly though, I simply want to keep improving my rehab and assessment skills as this is the lynchpin to excellent physiotherapy practice.
