REHAB WITH ALEX

My Story

Following my keen interest in musculoskeletal* healthcare I studied for an undergraduate degree in BSc Sports Therapy at Plymouth Marjon University. 

I was successful in gaining a competitive clinical internship, which led into a very happy six years at the university, in which I progressed from a clinic supervisor position to manager, and lastly associate lecturer, before progressing into my current role as lecturer in Sports Therapy at the University of East London. 

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Working within a busy commercial clinic gave me much exposure to MSK injuries, and develop my skills in delivering injury consultations. 

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Working within a University setting - I pride myself on keeping informed with the best in evidence-based practice, and having studied for a Masters of Research in Sport & Exercise Medicine, I have developed an interest in the area of intervention-design (how to create programs that people want to stick to) and the manifestation of pain (why certain folk are more predisposed to persistent pain and how to combat it). 

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My first experience of working in Sport started at University, during my student placement at Exeter Chiefs, from there I got stuck in with grass-routes RFU, to gain exposure to all the challenges associated with working in RFU. Highlights include taking on my own team in Cornwall (almighty Saints at St Austell), and supporting the Cornwall county team on their journey to Twickenham where we won the Cup final in 2022.

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My Values

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There are different approaches to dealing with MSK injuries, and you will find that some clinicians bias a hands on approach, and others focus on exercise prescription. 

Working within a clinic day to day, I have seen the short-term effect of hands on treatment such as massage can have, in reducing pain. Whilst I appreciate that sometimes this short term window of pain relief might be just what the individual needs, my focus will always be providing the people I work with the education and advice they need to manage thier own health, to avoid reliance on myself (or any healthcare practitioner) for treatment. 

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I am a firm believer that empowering those we work with to take control of their own health and wellbeing, is a good ethos to live by.

A typical session with me may involve some hands-on if warranted, and will always include a self-management plan, which usually includes exercise-based rehabilitation (to help build a greater tolerance) and activity management (identifiying the cause of the injury) to reduce likelihood of reoccurrence.

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*think muscles, bones ligaments, joints!