Physiotherapy
- What is physiotherapy?
- Helen Hedley
- Kate Horton
Physiotherapy is a health profession concerned with helping to restore wellbeing to people following injury, pain or disability using physical means.
Using knowledge from our extensive scientific background of human anatomy and physiology, Chartered Physiotherapists can help to:
- Assess, diagnose and treat conditions and illnesses that affect people of all ages and social groups
- Assist a patient to prevent injury in the workplace or on the sports field
- Promote healthier lifestyles for all
Physiotherapists can help with
- Back, neck and shoulder pain including whiplash
- Upper limb conditions including shoulder, elbow, wrist and hand
- Lower limb conditions including groin, hip, knee, ankle and foot
- Sports injuries
- Arthritic pain
- Pre- and post-surgical rehab
- Posture related problems
What to expect when you see a physiotherapist
The physiotherapist will take a detailed history of your condition together with any relevant past medical history.
A physical assessment will then be undertaken to determine the clinical diagnosis of your problem. The physiotherapist will discuss with you a proposed treatment plan and will give you an estimate as to the length of treatment required and the proposed outcome of your treatment.
The physiotherapist will not only treat the problem, but by spending time with you will often be able to show you how to minimise the impact of your problem and to help prevent it happening again.
Physiotherapists use a number of different techniques including manipulation and mobilisation, massage, exercise programmes, electrotherapy (e.g. ultrasound) and acupuncture. Reassurance and education about the problem also gives patients the confidence to get back to normal activities quickly.
Helen qualified from Leeds Metropolitan University with a BSc (hons) degree in Physiotherapy in 1996.
She started her physiotherapy career working in the NHS at the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle, gaining experience in all aspects of physiotherapy.
Helen then specialised in musculo-skeletal outpatient physiotherapy in 1999. The musculo-skeletal department at the Freeman Hospital has well respected orthopaedic surgeons who continue to refer their private patients to her at Physio+.
After moving into the private sector full time in 2003, Helen founded Physio+ in 2007. She has continued to develop her specialist physiotherapy skills through post graduate training. Her particular areas of interest relate to rehabilitation of shoulder and knee injuries.
Sports teams involvement
Helen is also heavily involved in treatment and management of sports injuries. She has been the Northumberland County Rugby physio for the past 10 years and over the years has provided physiotherapy for Tynedale RFC, Durham County Rugby, North of England Under 18 Rugby and Newcastle Vipers Ice Hockey team.
Memberships
She's a member of the following organisations:
Kate has been a qualified physiotherapist since 2001 and has a BSc (hons) degree from Manchester University.
She's worked mostly at the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle and for the past four years has specialised in musculo-skeletal physiotherapy. She has particular interests in muscle imbalance, pilates and sports physiotherapy.
Kate also keeps up a program of regular CPD (continual professional development) and has completed post graduate courses since her degree.
Memberships
She's a member of the following organisations:
- CSP - Chartered Society of Physiotherapists
- HPC - Health Professions Council registered. Click here for the HPC Check so you can be sure Kate's registered.
Sports team involvement
For the past four years, Kate has worked with Gateshead Rugby Club.