It’s an assumption that we’d all like to stay physically fit and active as we get older
To enjoy the freedom of healthy independent living
Investing wisely in your physical health is easier than you think
To help you understand, I’ll use the example of outdoor walking, an activity enjoyed by people of all ages. Experienced walkers understand the importance and value of investing in proper outdoor gear. Whereas, if you’ve not an experienced walker and you want to get ‘out and about’, you may start with buying some budget walking boots.
And at the first stream crossing or heavy downpour, you soon understand why they were budget…
Initially the boots did the job, but gradually (or perhaps suddenly) they started to rub or the tread wore quickly and they stop providing you with the benefits that you expected i.e. comfortable and dry feet. The budget option did not work out so well.
Such experiences can bring people to a fork in the road
Either give up outdoor walking or perhaps consider that walking could be more enjoyable in better boots. There are plenty of budget to mid-price range boot and shoe manufacturers that try to differentiate themselves with lots of whistles and bells marketing.
But look at any of the expensive brand boot or outdoor clothing companies (such as Arc’teryx or Paramo) and notice that their products are sold on a simple premise of quality, not on multiple, flashy features. It is the brand’s reputation for quality and performance that sell the products.
Physical healthcare is not dissimilar.
Physical health is one of the most important things that you can make an invest in. Yet like most important and significant decisions, it is easy to become overwhelmed by choice.
From walking boots to you and your persistent problem
If you’ve had your problem for a while, you may well have been to your local NHS services. Either your GP or self-refered to NHS physiotherapy. Unfortunately because these services are ‘free’, they have long waiting lists and can only provide essential service. NHS physiotherapy may get you back onto your feet, but perhaps not back to where you want to go.
Unfortunately for many patients, if prescribed medication or physiotherapy doesn’t work, they keep coming back with the same or similar problems….
….to eventually be told to “manage their condition”. As far as a lot of patients are concerned, it’s the end of the road as they do not think that they have any other options.
Yet there are plenty of other routes to choose from
A quick internet search will reveal a range of local physiotherapists, massage therapists, osteopaths and others. All able to provide professional aservices and convenient appointments when you want them. Able to provide variations of soft tissue massage, manual therapy and approaches to exercise. For example if you have a running injury the likely treatment will be rest, massage and strengthening or stretching exercises.
This is a common approach and that may address the symptoms. However, if the injury becomes recurrent, it is likely that the same treatment will be offered again. And again… In the hope that there willl be some longer lasting effect.
However simple logic would suggest that performing the same treatment over and over, getting the same results is only addressing the same symptoms.
It is not addressing the cause. To the patient with a persistent issue, it may suggest that they have a problem that they have to live with.
This is where I can take you further
As a private physiotherapist I work with persistent pain and complex problems.
I work with the people who have been prescribed medication by their GP, but the medication has not worked.
I work with the people that have tried NHS and private physiotherapy, osteopaths, chiropractors but little has changed.
I work with the people that have had surgery, but it has not been successful.
Like all health professionals, I have invested a lot of time in academic and clinical learning. However I have invested clinical time and experience to develop a unique therapeutic approach to recurrent and persistent pain. The difference is that I collaborate and share my skills patients. I guide to find the root cause and empower them to find the best solution that works for them.
That’s why as a private practitioner, I’ve designed my website to be as informative as possible to give you the answers to everything that you may need or want to know. To help you make an informed investment in your physical health.
As a physiotherapist that enjoys exploring movement and exercise, I can help and guide you back to what you love to do.
My clinic is in Darlington, click on the contact form below to discuss how I can help you.
Nick Watson physiotherapist