I still love what I do.
I graduated in 1986 from Bath Physiotherapy School and achieved my Masters in Manipulative Therapy in 2000 from University of Brighton. I worked for some year in the NHS before joining the Physio Therapy Centre in 1987 so I have been helping those in pain for many years, using my training and experience to treat all the myriad of different conditions that I see.
I regard myself as a first contact practitioner and my Masters, the clinical professional courses and all the clinical hours under my belt have made me, I like to think, an educator and a specialist in pain science and in all neuro-musculo-skeletal (MSK) matters. If it hurts when you move it and even if doesn’t then I am interested in how I can help you! Today my workload comprises mainly of spinal pain which includes neck pain and headaches(20%), low back (30%), knees, hips(30%), upper limb (15%) …the list goes on. I also have an interest in patients suffering with dizziness related to problems with the inner ear and for this I use the Epley manoeuvre .
I am a Quality Assured Practitioner(QAP), a quality mark that I am very pleased to have attained. We at the Centre collect data for the University of Brighton and from this data it shows that from our outcomes, and from the results that we achieve with our patients, that as QAPs, we are seen to have achieved a nationally recognised level of quality within the healthcare community.
Continual professional development (CPD) is very important to us all and I do at least 150 hours of CPD per year attending conferences, direct or e-learning, in service training, article writing, and editoring.
I was the secretary for the Sussex Manual Therapy group for 11 years organising lectures and courses for the physiotherapists of Sussex.
I was a clinical educator for the University of Brighton for 10 years, overseeing MSc students during their clinical placements, and an examiner for both the University and for the Manipulative Association of Chartered Physiotherapy of which I also a member (MMACP).
My other memberships included the International Association of the Study of Pain (IASP), the Physiotherapy Pain Association(PPA), Chartered Physiotherapist in Sports Medicine(CPSM) and the Association of Chartered Physiotherapist in Occupational Health(ACPOH).
I sat on the executive of Physio First and was on the editorial board of In Touch for 19 years, firstly as the book editor and then as the editor for 6 years. In Touch is a very well regarded publication and is the Journal of Physio First that represents over 3000 private physiotherapists and mainly related to MSK conditions.
I was made a Life Member of Physio First, an honour bestowed on me for my services to
Physio First and the profession for which I am very proud.
I currently sit on the Physio First Research and Development committee.
I have lectured to many groups and especially to local GP’s to keep them informed on current physiotherapy practices.
