Testimonials

 

Marisa followed both pre- and post-op rehabilitation programmes, before and after major spinal surgery

“Frances really does understand muscles and how the body moves!

Through her targeted approach she helped me prepare for a serious back operation, and work my way back to a full rehabilitation. Her pre-operation work ensured that I was in the best position to recover from the surgery. This was borne out by my rapid progress to get about and tackle stairs within a couple of days following the operation. By the end of the month I had been on a two mile walk, by the end of 6 months I was riding my bike and able to go on longer walks, by 10 months I could bend and touch the floor again!

Her approach is to take you stage by stage through a steady progression of targeted exercise, ensuring that they are done correctly. Within weeks you can feel and see the difference. What more can I say?”

 

Steve followed a rehabilitation programme to address years of severe back pain and stiffness 

“My life has changed; for many years I was in so much pain from my back.

I experienced waking up every morning with pain and stiffness, needing several hours before it would subside. The pain prevented me from being able to bend to wash at the sink or sitting for more than 15 minutes without stiffness and aching, and it made me hobble around. I have had operations on both feet to fuse my big toes, which cased me to lose muscle-mass in my legs from not walking, and then when I finally got walking, trying to protect my feet and back, with continual pain. After a few short months of sessions with Frances my back has really changed. I now get up in the mornings, having been able to sleep without having to move every 15 minutes, and I have almost no stiffness. Normal tasks, like being able to bend and put my socks on, I can do without having to consider protecting my back. I was very sceptical initially, as I had no faith in physiotherapists or chiropractors, having been to many of them over the years. Frances worked wonders for me and I am very grateful.”

 

Greg followed a sports therapy and rehabilitation programme for degenerative spinal condition 

”Following years of muscular back problems, culminating in prolapsed discs, weeks of being bed-ridden, many types of physio and treatment, I was diagnosed with a degenerative spinal condition. After visiting my GP and a specialist Spinal Consultant, I was advised that my sporting interests would have to cease. Not willing to accept the guidance given to me, I continued with my sporting interests with many setbacks until I decide something had to give. 

I was sceptical at first when a friend suggested a consultation with Frances who focuses on muscle rehabilitation and sports therapy. I couldn’t have been further off the mark.

I had regular sessions with Frances on and off for approximately two years and have seen significant results; not only in my range of movement the condition of my back, but also my general fitness. Frances has equipped me with a range of exercises and techniques for strengthening and supporting my back and this has allowed me to continue with my sports.

Since day one Frances has treated my condition personally and with care and attention. Her approach of focusing on muscle groups, and finding root causes for problems, before providing challenging yet realistic exercises and plans has allowed me to continue my sporting activities - something I am very grateful for. I wouldn’t hesitate in referring a friend or family member to Frances for rehabilitation and sports therapy.”

 

Cheryl followed a rehabilitation programme for chronic back and hip pain 

“I was recommended Frances by a work colleague who saw the pain I was in just using the stairs. Ten years ago I started having back pain and saw a chiropractor, but after 4 sessions the pain was still there. I was then recommended a physiotherapist, who passed me onto a podiatrist. My feet are very flat with little or no arch, so I was fitted with insoles. In the last 5 years my legs, and hips have been feeling increasingly weak and painful. I went to the doctors, who sent me to a physiotherapist. They treated me for one part of my body, and then another part would start aching, so I would have to repeat the process with another physio. I felt as though no one looked any further to identify the underlying cause of my chronic pain.

Frances took time to look at my body as a whole and learn my complete history. She assessed me walking on a treadmill and discovered that my old insoles were contributing to the problem. My core muscles and my leg muscles were very weak. She then took me through some gentle exercises and stretches. She both demonstrated and helped me practice these to ensure I was doing them correctly before I left. After only two months, I felt a lot stronger, and after my final session I feel great and back to what ‘normal’ should be.”

 

Liz followed a rehabilitation programme following a total hip replacement

”A month before my 65th birthday I had a very bad fall which resulted in a total hip replacement. The surgery went well, the x-rays showed a successful hip replacement and I had 6 weeks of follow-up physiotherapy. After a few weeks I was able to carry out day to day tasks and had little or no pain. However one year later, I was concerned that I hadn’t regained my confidence or flexibility to do things I had previously enjoyed, like gardening and DIY, that had come easily pre-surgery. I was still hesitant when out walking, and conscious that I had had a hip replacement. I saw my consultant, who recommended I improve my stability, confidence, and muscle tone. A friend recommended Frances, who offered me an initial assessment. She was able to identify the problems and worked with me on a programme of exercises to build up the wasted muscle and improve my stability and confidence. After six weeks of fairly intensive sessions, I felt I had made great progress and could actually see the difference as my muscles began to regain shape. My balance has improved and I have joined a gym to continue the exercises and get fitter. I rarely think about my hip replacement, I have the confidence to do my gardening and even helped my son decorate his house. I truly feel that without the work Frances did with me I should not be as active and positive a I feel today!”

 

Georgina followed a rehabilitation programme following a serious knee injury

”I first consulted Frances following a knee injury, where it was very painful and swollen. My GP prescribed strong anti inflammatories and I was told to rest and ice it. After a few weeks of rest etc, my condition hadn’t improved, so I had an x-ray, which revealed nothing and finally saw a knee consultant, who recommended an arthroscopy following an MRI scan. Although my surgery was scheduled for a few months away,  I returned to Frances to see if she could recommend some exercises. She recommended using a tens-like machine to reduce the swelling, which helped considerably. I used the machine for a month, and returned to Frances with a much smaller knee! I was able to stop taking the anti inflammatory medication and my mobility was better. 

Frances then introduced me to her specialist rehabilitation exercise program, which built up the surrounding muscles to my knee and corrected my gait and alignment. After 12 weeks of treatment, I am now confident that that I will make a full recovery. I have cancelled my proposed surgery and am looking forward to rejoining the gym. I am now able to train properly and look forward to a full recovery without having to go through surgery.”

 

Nich followed post-op rehabilitation programmes twice after knee surgery 

”Frances helped me recover after two major leg injuries, which resulted in complex surgeries. Frances’s expertise really helped me - her knowledge of the human skeleton, the function of different muscle groups and how to work them. She was able to show me how to undo the various distortions my body had worked itself into so it could function without two good legs for so long. Frances is good at diagnosing the root cause of aches, pains and weaknesses, and just as good at overcoming them. If I had simply relied on standard physiotherapy I could not have regained my fitness to the extent that Frances has helped me to achieve.”