Children's Physio Dorset

14/01/2026

Remember beautiful E and her walking only last month...she came back to see me yesterday all the way from Devon! Love this family. The best thing was when I asked E what she wanted to do..."Walking"! I love it! Super progress already (E is doing all the leg swinging here, I'monly giving lateralwright shift), some lovely sit to stand and who knows where we will get too but for now we have a goal of being able to do pull to stands.

It absolutely breaks my heart that some children can't just get up and walk, so to help in some way give them that experience is why I love my job.

it for real E!

18/12/2025

First steps 🤍
And I think there’s even a little smile there from E.

We had another really lovely session last week when E came up from Devon for the day. We re-cast her Turtle braces for her elbows and are already gaining some beautiful range.

We also used whole body vibration, with some great glute activation, and then decided to explore standing and stepping.

E is 9 years old and has SMA Type 1. This was the first time she has stood without a standing frame in recent years, and the first time she has ever taken a step.

We started spinal stimulation in August, and she is already looking noticeably stronger. With a gentle weight shift, E was able to circumduct and initiate stepping.

Is this functional walking? No — and that isn’t the aim. This is about experience, opportunity, and giving her body the chance to work against gravity, building trunk and head strength in ways every child deserves to explore.

Moments like these really matter 💛

06/11/2025

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1CMutGewqT/

Love these photos and highly recommend Barbs Rowles-Smith

06/11/2025

This little superstar absolutely smashed it in his session today! 🌟

He found things a bit overwhelming to begin with and became quite upset, so we introduced the Kyrio Suit — and the difference was amazing. It helped him settle, feel more regulated, and gave him that extra body awareness he really needs.

He has lovely trunk strength and great movement patterns, but like many little ones, understanding where his body is in space can be tricky. The Kyrio Suit provided that proprioceptive input to help organise his body, focus, and feel more confident during the activities. 💛

So proud of him today — small changes can make a big difference.

11/10/2025

🌊 Hydrotherapy Saturdays are officially underway! 🌊

We had our very first session this morning in Broadstone — and what a brilliant start! Mr G had a fab first session and we managed to pack in so much. 💪

Here’s a little clip of us doing DMI in the water, and we also used some NDT and functional therapy principles. The combination of movement, sensory input, and resistance in the warm 33°C water really gives children the chance to move, strengthen, and explore their potential in a different way.

Mr G is wearing the Kyrio Suit, which provided lovely compression and trunk support throughout the session — and also gave me great grip and control in the water (without him sliding through my hands like they sometimes do in just a swimsuit!).

The pool facilities are fantastic — warm water, excellent changing spaces with hoist access and a changing table, plus parking right outside.

Hydro sessions are running fortnightly on Saturdays, and there are still a few spaces available for anyone keen to join.

07/10/2025

💦 Hydrotherapy starts this Saturday!

Grace and I completed our pool evacuation training last night — so we’re all set and ready to go! 🏊‍♀️

I’m really excited to be starting hydrotherapy sessions this weekend at the Broadstone pool. It’s such a brilliant environment for children to work on strength, movement, tone management, range of motion, confidence, and coordination in the water. 🌊✨

This isn’t going to be your standard hydrotherapy — I’ll be bringing my Dynamic Movement Intervention (DMI) principles into the pool. I’m really keen to explore how the water’s support and resistance can enhance what we do on land… so watch this space for some exciting updates!

There are still a couple of last-minute spaces available for this Saturday, so if you’d like to join, please let me know by Wednesday lunchtime.

03/10/2025

✨ Exciting day at the APCP Conference 2025 ✨

I’m so pleased to have my poster on display, sharing a longitudinal case study on The Benefits of Dynamic Splinting in Managing Kyphosis.

This poster highlights over 20 years of consistent dynamic splinting, showing:
✔️ Significant improvement in spinal alignment
✔️ Better head control and posture
✔️ Stable respiratory health without the need for spinal surgery
✔️ Improved quality of life for the child and their family

Dynamic splinting is something I’m really passionate about – it can provide a flexible, adaptable alternative to traditional rigid bracing, especially in children with neurodisabilities.

It’s been such a privilege to put this together in collaboration with Second Skin and to share the outcomes with colleagues today.

📌 If you’re here at the conference, come and say hi – my poster is number 15!

18/09/2025

Also available 💥

Can vibration therapy boost mobility in SMA? https://bit.ly/47DR64O

Did you know that sitting or standing on a vibrating platform could help strengthen muscles in SMA? 💪✨ Whole-body vibration (WBV) therapy gently activates muscles, and when combined with physical activity, may boost strength, balance, and confidence in daily movement.

Early studies show promise for kids and adults living with SMA—but it’s essential to consult your doctor and work with a physical therapist for safe, tailored sessions. Pair WBV with other therapies and good nutrition for best results.

18/09/2025

A form of therapy I offer 🌟

Discover how spinal cord stimulation can support SMA care goals: https://bit.ly/4oEYlj2