About Me

I have always had an interest in remedial therapies.
My own joints came out of position with increasing frequency (dislocation) and would sublux (partial dislocation) or redislocate on other occasions doing very unpredictable tasks thus it was not as if I could isolate and eliminate the trigger. I found this to be an extremely painful and frustrating. Despite loving my sports and physical exercise, I would be continually dealing with these episodes. of recovery and rehabilitation.

Age 13 onwards and certainly by age 25 I had had seven serious dislocations requiring general anaesthetic relocation, imaging with blue dye, x-ray, physiotherapy and assessments for surgery which repeated throughout my life with spinal involvement, feet problems, and peripheral joints.

Diagnosed with a type of 'hypermobility syndrome' I knew I was bendy but my tendons, ligaments and the connective tissue that runs through every joint simply did not support my skeletal frame as well as normal people. 
Explaining to people who don’t see it, I would say:
My head is too heavy for my neck,
arms too heavy for the sockets, elbows, wrists hips, knees and ankles all are overstretched. The way we sit ( is to hold our spine up, leaning on elbows, using a w position, slouching and fidgeting is because sitting still is too much of a challenge in itself- I use a back support if I sit for more than half an hour and rehab through out the week). It affects the way we stand, walk, bend, travel,
every aspect of daily life; lifting shopping, picking up items.
Even having an evening out in a seated position for a few hours can become a pain filled event that others take for granted and cause days of laxity after. I find some freedom in movement in short doses & splint and support and train muscles around my joints using pilates style methods. I constantly have to manage my condition and I've been doing it for several decades now.

I explored acupuncture early on in life to help manage pain and felt benefit whenever I had it. I even travelled to China when a further health scare occurred. I was very grateful to have the NHS here in the United Kingdom to target specific endocrine tumours and invested in my personal recovery after with a commitment to be there for my family.

In my career, too, I had always been dealing with medical, psychological and social aspects to disability. I saw others benefitting from being informed and involved in their care, health and well being. I saw the strength of the human spirit to inform oneself and overcome adversity.
It wasn't just me then!

I love our NHS and believe they’re an over stretched resource. I turned to further research and it wasn’t long before my skills and personality lent itself towards providing informed and evidence based care to others.
If I had a mission statement it would be:
No two individuals are alike and diagnosis can open the doors to effective interventions but alongside that I see individuals on a journey of recovery and health improvement.
I’m informed by research and rehabilitation and fortunate to benefit from excellent continuing professional development from my governing body. I also see Western and Eastern medical practices working alongside each other for excellent clinical outcomes. I am fortunate enough to work from The Natural Fitness and Therapy Centre where not only is it situated on the seafront but it brings together diverse therapists and practitioners. From excellent Pilates instructors and counsellors.

People who know me know I am deeply passionate about individual assessment and treatment and I thrive off the results I've seen in practice. I will refer on when necessary and be honest.
Please take a look around the website and if you think you would benefit from a consultation, contact me at the addresses provided.
&
Please bear with me if I don't get back to you straight away. I am probably pacing my part time work now as part of taking my continued steps to wellness.
Wishing you continued wellness,
Dawn.

Society of Chiropodists and Podiatrists Useful links:
Diabetes
Children's footwear
Babies first footwear



.