My first ever blog

So this is my first attempt at ‘blogging’ and I never thought I would be here. I thought blogs were for computer geeks and role player nerds discussing that latest dungeon and dragon’s moves, although I do have to admit I do love a bit of WarHammer from time to time. 

Anyway, who am I, and what am I going to be blogging about you may or may not be asking. Well, my name is Adam, and I am and have been a physiotherapist for over 10 years. I am one of those fortunate people whose job is both my passion and hobby.

I love all things in and around human anatomy, physiology, biomechanics, neurology, psychology, and even a touch of philosophy. I am fascinated by both the human body and mind.

Humans amaze me with their complexity and simplicity, their resilience and fragility, their ability to adapt and resist, and it’s this subject that I will be blogging about the most. Humans, it’s what I know the most about.

So a bit more about me, if you’re interested.

I entered the Physio profession later than most, and before I became a physio, I served in the military for a few years before leaving and worked as a personal trainer, but I soon wanted more. So I went back to uni and did a degree in Sports Science and started working as a Strength and Conditioning coach.

But I still wanted more, so I somehow managing to blag my way onto a physiotherapy degree, and the rest as they say is history. My physio career has had its twists and turns like most.

Initially, after graduation, I worked for the NHS as a ‘junior physio’ learning the trade for a few years rotating in varying areas. I then went to work in the private sector and began to work in local sports clubs, with a few part-time jobs with some local football, rugby, cricket, and running clubs over the years.

I then got a job as a ‘senior MSK physio’ in a private hospital, where under the guidance of one of the country’s leading shoulders surgeons I started my journey towards specializing in the management of the shoulder.

After a few years here I was fortunate to gain a job as the first-team physio for Watford Football Club for three very enjoyable seasons, with me covering the role of head of sports medicine during a turbulent transition phase of managers and backroom staff that was both challenging and exciting.

As is usual in professional football with new managers comes new backroom staff. It was during this transition that I was eventually ‘let go’ from Watford and went back to work in private healthcare and continued my specialism of working with the shoulder.

I still have a particular interest in the shoulder, but also all sports injuries. In particular, I have a personal interest in endurance sports due to running a few long-distance races myself. I find myself researching this area for my own personal reasons and in an effort to find what will keep my aging body going. I also have an interest in tendons and find this condition an interesting and commonly encountered problem in my clinics

Finally, I am a skeptical, cynical, and outspoken bugger, who can be stubborn to a point and likes to play devils advocate, much to the annoyance of some many people.

I have learned, the hard way, not to take research, evidence or the anecdotes of physio gurus lightly. I have been on far too many courses and listened to far too many so-called experts, pontificating about this and claiming that with downright dubious, outlandish, and ridiculous claims to know that they are usually talking crap.

I have a desire to promote not only a more evidence-based way of thinking and practicing within the profession but also a more open, honest, holistic, and inclusive way. With less reliance and promotion of the many passive treatments such as manual therapy, electrotherapy, acupuncture, or anything else that requires a therapist to do something to a patient. Instead, I want more therapists to feel confident and secure to be more active in the promotion of exercise and better in its prescription.

So there you go, my first blog, a brief intro about who I am, why I am doing this, and where my experiences, qualifications, and skills come from. I hope you join me and read my stuff from time to time and your comments are always welcome… Good and ‘constructive’ alike

Thanks for reading
Adam