One of the most important things I do in the initial consultation is take a full and detailed medical history. Which means finding out everything that has happened to people over the course of their lives and the treatment they’ve received. I’ll be honest, this can be an emotional process for me let alone my patient recounting it. Sometimes these histories can leave me hooting with laughter but quite a…
One of the best and worst things about modern medicine is that it moves so FAST! The “best” treatment a year ago can, in the light of new research, become not just outmoded but dangerous. We are learning all the time. The science of treating back pain A recent series of papers published in The Lancet has caused quite a stir in the medical profession as it basically demonstrated that…
Having a strong “core” has been the mantra for many physios, pilates teachers, yoga teachers, fitness experts for quite a few years now. But what if the key to better posture and less injuries was a bit lower? Good Foundations I read a fantastic article from Matt Fitzpatrick , a consultant podiatrist at the College of Podiatry discussing his belief that if you strengthen and exercise your feet you will reduce…
I have always believed that getting better is a two way process – my job is to guide and educate rather than just “do to” you. If you understand what’s happening within your own body, why you feel the way you do and react the way you do, then you understand why I make the recommendations that I do. And you make an educated decision about how to proceed. Either…
For the last decade at the Bodyworks Clinic we have worked with a game changing therapy option – Magnetic Resonance Therapy (or MBST or MRT). This has allowed us to help treat patients with any of a LONG list of joint pain conditions feel better, have greater movement and improved quality of life without surgery, drugs or long rehabilitation periods. This has been a revelation and it has been thrilling…
So, in case anyone missed it, I trained in the RAF. This was/is a big deal to me, without that opportunity I couldn’t have become a physiotherapist at all. The fact that the training I received, the people I had the opportunity to work with, were so unbelievably excellent is just the huge dollop of icing on an already fabulous cake! And this year, on April 1st, the RAF turns…
Now many of you are familiar with me and my minor obsession with Prof Lorimer Moseley but he also has a wonderful partner in crime called David Butler who I was lucky enough to train with, many, many moons ago when I lived in the UK. In fact I would go so far as to say that his training played a major role in the kind of physio I am today.…
Today is Valentine’s Day! It is the season of love! So to celebrate Bodyworks are having LOVE YOUR BACK month from 14th February to 14th March! In my opinion one of the best and easiest ways to love your back is a few regular sessions on our amazing Mobiliser. I often use it with my patients either before or after a session with me or as part of an MRT…
What is Plantar Fasciitis? Plantar – base of the foot Fascia – stretchy, strong connective tissue that helps stabilize your muscles throughout the body. Itis – inflammation. Plantar fasciitis – inflammation of the connective tissue which runs from the heel to the base of your toes How does it feel? It often starts as a dull, intermittent pain in the heel or arch of the foot which becomes a sharp,…
Or any other tendon issue in your hips, knees or ankles for that matter! In every joint tendons attach muscles to bones. They most resemble a rope – lots of strands altogether. So they can (and do!) fray and get inflamed, just like a rope they can get rubbed and pulled and tend to get hot and bothered when that happens! But, they can and DO heal albeit slowly. They…