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Chartered Women’s Health and Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist
I'm certainly not a purist. Where one individual might respond to one type of treatment, another may not respond in the same way. The key thing for me is tailoring my practice to meet the needs of my patients.
You're at the centre of my care and I will adapt my practice as necessary. Whilst I have a wide tool box of treatment techniques, exercise is absolutely the top of the pops.
The human body responds positively to appropriate load. If you get that just right, you can stand back and marvel at what unfolds!
Physiotherapy was a very welcome change in career for me. I always wanted to be a physio but ignored it until much later when I realised this is where my passion lies.
Observing smooth, fluid movement for me is like listening to a choir overflowing with complex beautiful harmonies. Studying movement and problem solving where and why the movement has gone awry is not only fascinating, it is hugely rewarding helping someone restore functional movement and see them self-manage with a greater awareness and understanding of their body's potential.
I trained at Keele University and worked the hardest I have ever worked in my life. I made like a sponge for three very full time years, absorbing every little morsel of information I could get my hands on. The long days and late nights of study paid off; I qualified with a first degree and was awarded the University Prize for Clinical Performance.
The course at Keele was a new Physiotherapy course incorporating the three core disciplines of Physio: Neurology, Cardio-Respiratory, Musculoskeletal and also included exercise testing and prescription. I had the good fortune of gaining experience in Paediatrics and Women's Health also.
I began my career in rehabilitation as a Sports & Remedial Massage Therapist in 2008 after training part time at Oxford School of Sports Massage (OSSM) whilst working as an Event Manager. I was lucky to be able to support the Head Physiotherapist (Ali James) of the Oxford University Rugby Team for a season, treating the Firsts. It was Ali who spurred me on to apply for a place at physio school. Whilst studying at Keele, I ran sports massage clinics at Lilleshall National Sports Centre and also began teaching Sports Massage at OSSM. Physio has already taken me to volunteering in the slums in Nairobi and doing outreach in the community in Mexico.
On qualification from Keele, I began my clinical rotations in the NHS and then decided that my true passion lies within Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy. I have since widened my scope of practice, training in vestibular rehabilitation, Pilates and four years ago branched off into Pelvic Health. It was after having my first child I experienced the incredible endurance event that is pregnancy and labour. It is a time laden with fears and unknowns. I’m so passionate about supporting women through this time, myth busting as we go, keeping pregnant women active and then supporting women as they go through their post natal journeys and beyond.
Whether your goal is improving your strength to support a specific sport, or whether you'd simply like to be able to bend down to tie your shoelaces or wash your back in the shower I don't have a preference. I love facilitating the process of functional restoration whatever that function may be.
I’m completely holistic. Listening to the whole story of your body and understanding what YOU want to achieve is fundamental. The key thing for me is tailoring my practice to meet the needs of my patients. You're at the centre of my care and I will adapt my practice as necessary. Whilst I have a wide tool box of treatment techniques, exercise is absolutely the top of the pops. The human body responds positively to appropriate load. If you get that just right, you can stand back and marvel at what unfolds.
I LOVE being outside with my children. I’m a recreational athlete; participating in long distance running and triathlon. When I’m inside I’m usually cooking. I love exploring different movement styles and currently practicing Tai Chi and Qi Gong for downtime.
I love working in a multi-discplinary team. I’m passionate about getting and keeping people moving whatever that means for them so will continue on this mission. I also have goals to break down barriers surrounding pregnant and post natal women. Widespread education with regards to safe activity in pregnancy and safe return to exercise post natally is crucial and I’m committed to being part of that ongoing discussion.