Unity Physiotherapy & Wellbeing

Unity Physiotherapy & Wellbeing Providing trauma informed fatigue & pain specialist physiotherapy & integrative somatic wellbeing.

Specialist Physiotherapist & Integrative Somatic Practitioner. The services offered are tailored to each person and integrate life coaching, NLP, compassionate mind training & other compassion practices, principles of acceptance and commitment therapy, somatics and yoga into physiotherapy and all of my work. I offer an 8 week online workshop series for people with any condition associated with pai

n/fatigue/anxiety and a variety of other workshops. I can also offer support for people in the workplace, both to help employers understand how to support people with persistent pain, fibromyalgia, ME/CFS, long covid, and PoTS, and to create a trauma-informed compassionate workplace culture, as well as offering packages of care to help people manage the condition they are living with and to be able to thrive in the workplace.

This beautiful book by offered a wonderful nurturing pause in my day today.I sat and slowly ready 4 poems, they are dee...
04/05/2026

This beautiful book by offered a wonderful nurturing pause in my day today.

I sat and slowly ready 4 poems, they are deeply resonant and so very beautiful — heartfelt — and rest within all that is.

As the words landed — awareness rose, compassion landed more deeply, possibilities opened, threads moved as clarity formed.

I’m going to read a few poems from this book each day for a few weeks and perhaps beyond.

I read one of the poems from this book yesterday, in that video I mentioned from my initial look through that I felt it to be a special book — and I can say it absolutely is ✨

I love this book, it is so so beautiful 💜

I’m grateful for this book, thank you Deborah 🙏🏻

🌿 May is ME/CFS & Fibromyalgia Awareness MonthBoth of these conditions are commonly misunderstood — including within hea...
04/05/2026

🌿 May is ME/CFS & Fibromyalgia Awareness Month

Both of these conditions are commonly misunderstood — including within healthcare — which is a big reason why awareness and understanding matter.

What is ME/CFS?

Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is a complex, multi-system condition. The exact cause is not yet understood, a number of proposed mechanisms having been suggested. Symptoms are thought to result from dysregulation in multiple dynamic systems in the body, including the immune, autonomic nervous, endocrine and the metabolic systems. These systems are constantly interacting, so when one is dysregulated it can impact others.

It’s characterised by:
* Debilitating fatigue
* Post-exertional malaise (PEM)
* Cognitive disturbance/brain fog
* Sleep issues

There are many other associated symptoms such as orthostatic intolerance, temperature dysregulation, sensory sensitivities, digestive issues and pain.

Common co-occurring conditions include, Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (PoTS), EDS/hypermobility, endometriosis, MCAS & ADHD.

What is Fibromyalgia?

Fibromyalgia is characterised by chronic widespread musculoskeletal pain, often alongside other symptoms including:
* Fatigue
* Cognitive disturbance (sometimes called “fibro fog”)
* Hyperalgesia and/or allodynia

It also involves nervous system dysregulation and multiple systems in the body are commonly impacted.

A key difference:

ME/CFS includes PEM - a worsening of symptoms from minimal physical, cognitive, social or emotional exertion. This is often delayed, can feel flu-like, and is a defining feature of the condition.

An integrative approach to management is important, ideally with clinicians/therapists who have specialised in these areas. I bring both specialist training, professional experience, and lived experience of ME/CFS my work.

I’ll be sharing more frequently about these conditions than usual this month — including similarities, differences, and various other aspects like PEM, sleep & breathing.

💭 What’s something you’ve wondered about ME/CFS or fibromyalgia?

03/05/2026

I felt drawn to share a really beautiful poetry book called Bare Feet to Earth Poems for Emerging by Deborah Anne Quibell, PhD

This book arrived with me today, the words are so heartfelt. I’ve only had a little look through so far but think it’s a special book 💚

In the video I read the first poem that I read from the book called Become Like Water.

I would love to hear how this lands for you.

🌿 Effort, Energy & Alignment I’ve recently finished Wise Effort by Diana Hill — a book I began last year and paused whil...
02/05/2026

🌿 Effort, Energy & Alignment

I’ve recently finished Wise Effort by Diana Hill — a book I began last year and paused whilst in the final stages of publishing my first poetry collection, Living Wholeness.

I love this book! I feel this book has a vibrant and compassionate energy running through it. It’s not only something to read, it’s something to reflect on and journal with — which Diana encourages in each chapter.

For me, at the heart of this book is awareness, of our values, strengths and qualities, compassion, and a connection to the heart and the body’s wisdom — and learning how to move more often in alignment with this through what Diana calls “wise effort.”

I found the idea of genius energy interesting. The way I’ve come to understand it is as a key quality or strength we have, interwoven with other strengths and qualities, that comes alive when it’s expressed in a way that’s values aligned, flexible, attuned and connected to a sense of aliveness.

For example, one of my core qualities is persistence/determination. This has often supported me, and at other times it’s led me to keep trying to change something that wasn’t changeable — using a lot of energy and pulling me away from what really mattered. What was needed was not more effort, but a different values-aligned action, including at times the courage to step away.

The book also speaks to connecting with the body and heart — listening inwardly, and allowing decisions to be guided not just by thinking, but by a deeper sense of knowing. It invites us to open to discomfort as part of widening our capacity to be with what’s present and helping to create more possibilities.

There’s a section around what Diana calls “wise habits” — cultivating meaningful, values-aligned habits that support the direction you want to move in rather than staying stuck in unhelpful patterns.

For me, Wise Effort is a book about awareness, compassion, and living in alignment which what matters — and how our strengths and qualities can support this.

It resonated deeply with how I live and work — grounded in awareness and compassion, guided by values, connected to something bigger, and a trust in the body’s wisdom. Reading it has deepened my self-awareness and brought a few “aha” moments.

It’s a brilliant book and one that could be a helpful resource for some of the people I work with.

Have you read it?

01/05/2026

🌿 Pausing & Simply Being

This was my view from laying in the dappled shade in the late afternoon. So beautiful!

There were some deeply grounding moments laying on the grass looking at the blue sky and the different coloured leaves moving gently in the breeze, feeling the gentle warmth and breeze in the shade of a rowan tree, and listening to the birds.

Much appreciated and needed 💚🌳

Press play with the sound on and pause, notice how your body responds.

🌿 The last day of National Poetry MonthPoetry has a way of slowing things down and helping us notice what’s often just b...
30/04/2026

🌿 The last day of National Poetry Month

Poetry has a way of slowing things down and helping us notice what’s often just beneath the surface.

Living Wholeness grew from a space of deep listening — to the body, to nature, and to what it means to be human in all its complexity. It also grew from a lived experience of chronic illness and loss, and from a gradual unfolding into a different way of being — emerging more deeply rooted in compassion, soft strength, and gentle power, within the whole of what is.

This is a project I’m deeply proud of, it’s not something I can really express in words. I’ve heard some lovely feedback about my book — a common theme is how heartfelt the words are, and there are a few wonderful reviews on Amazon. All deeply appreciated.

My book is available on Amazon worldwide and if you’re in the U.K. I have a small number of author copies left that can be signed or unsigned — get in touch with me if you’d like one.

🌿 A quiet thank you to poetry and all it offers.

30/04/2026

🌿 I’ve finally uploaded some short mat-based movement clips to my YouTube channel — something I’ve been intending to share for a while.

I’ve shared one of them with this post —the Pilates arm openings exercise. This can be a lovely option if you’ve been sitting at a desk, and can also be done in sitting or standing.

I’ve also made two yoga practices public today that were previously unlisted, originally recorded as part of a workshop series I ran. You’re welcome to do just the beginning or the full practice, depending on what feels right for you.

These are gentle, accessible practices that can support awareness, mobility, strength, nervous system regulation, gradual capacity building, and a more compassionate relationship with the body.

🌿 You’re welcome to explore these if they feel supportive. If you’re unsure whether they’re appropriate for you, please check with a suitably trained healthcare or exercise professional.

🌿 Chronic illness & the nervous system In chronic illness, the window of tolerance commonly narrows. We can deregulate...
28/04/2026

🌿 Chronic illness & the nervous system

In chronic illness, the window of tolerance commonly narrows. We can deregulate too easily, too much and get a bit stuck in survival/protect states.

Nervous system regulation is foundational in my work, and I’ve post about it quite a lot you may have noticed!

Over the weekend I was on a swing with my youngest niece sitting on my knee — something we’ve done many times.

Usually, I hold her with one arm and the rope with the other. This times was different, she automatically took hold of both ropes herself, with a steadier grip and her balance was steadier too. I noticed I started swinging without holding her.

She knew she was safe and so did I. I said “I’m not holding you today, so you need to keep holding on and stay still until the swing stops.”

We swung higher than usual, and there was more awareness and steadiness.

We noticed the breeze together, and some other things, and later when we swang again, as the swing slowed, she tipped her head back and stuck out her tongue to feel the wind. We laughed, it was a simple and joyful moment.

When there’s awareness, a sense of safeness and support, the nervous system can shift from protection into a state where we can play and explore.

I see this often in chronic illness and it reminded me of the importance of:
* Awareness
* Safety messages
* Connection and co-regulation
* Exploration and regulation supporting new possibilities

These are all essential — not just for managing chronic illness, but for supporting change over time.

📌 If you’d like to learn more about nervous system regulation, you can explore my other posts, or the blogs on my website. You’re also welcome to get in touch to see how working with me could support you.

🌿 Safety and regulation don’t just help us cope — they create the conditions for exploration, change and growth.

💭 I’m curious to know how this lands for you?

26/04/2026

🌿 A beautiful day

The sun was shining and there was light cloud so it wasn’t too hot which meant I could enjoy more time outside ☀️

Some family time was mainly blowing bubbles, drawing on the patio slabs, swinging on the swing with my youngest niece, and trying to find the robin singing in the tree (I spotted it but couldn’t locate it on my phone to take a picture, my sister did).

I rested inside at home which included a laying meditation and sitting with my feet up. In the late afternoon I did a gentle yoga practice in my garden, finishing with my hand on my heart, feeling connection to the Earth and a few mindful breaths.

These things were all nurturing in different ways and in similar ways too. I noticed different things somatically, especially grounding and calmness, joy and aliveness ✨

💭 What’s been nurturing for you today?

🌿 Simple joyful and playful things can be deeply nurturing.One of these things for me today was swinging on a swing bene...
25/04/2026

🌿 Simple joyful and playful things can be deeply nurturing.

One of these things for me today was swinging on a swing beneath a beautiful tree, and connecting to a sense of playfulness. The sunlight was making the leaves shimmer a variety of coppery tones.

Nature, playfulness and joy were all nurturing and regulating.

💭 What moments have been nurturing for you today — joyful, playful or something else? As you reflect, notice what happens in your body. Noticing and resting in what was nurturing again, supports regulation and wellbeing.

🌿 The Window of Tolerance & Chronic Illness When we are within our window of tolerance (sometimes called the optimal aro...
25/04/2026

🌿 The Window of Tolerance & Chronic Illness

When we are within our window of tolerance (sometimes called the optimal arousal zone), we feel more grounded, connected, and able to respond flexibly to life.

Both the sympathetic & parasympathetic parts of the nervous system are always active, with their balance shifting depending on factors like demand, context, and past experience.

When there’s relative balance, our physiology is in a dynamic, more settled state. With a sufficient physical or psychological stressor — e.g. exercise or self-criticism, we move into increased activation (hyperarousal). If this becomes overwhelming or prolonged, we may shift into hypoarousal.

The level of activation needs to match the task, and once the demand has passed, the system needs to settle again to support rest and digest.

With chronic illness, this flexibility commonly reduces and the window of tolerance narrows — meaning we may dysregulate too easily and spend longer in survival/protective states. This is completely understandable.

A common pattern I see is the self-critic becoming loud & taking the driving seat. This can keep us in threat states — often cycling between overactivation & collapse/disconnection. When the self-critic is loud often the anxious part of us is too.

Symptoms not only increase in dysregulated states they can also tip us outside of our window.

As mentioned in yesterday’s post, factors such as iron deficiency and hormonal fluctuation can also narrow the window and contribute to dysregulation.

I wrote a blog on this last year (linked in comments). Many people I’ve worked with have found this helpful in recognising how symptom flares link with increased dysregulation — often shaped by multiple factors, including self-criticism & how the body responds to activity.

Understanding this can support more awareness, compassion, regulation — and supports both symptom management & making changes.

Over time, with the right support, the window can begin to expand again and the nervous system can respond more flexibly to life’s demands.

💭 How does this land for you, and how does it align with your own experience or understanding?

🌿 Nervous System Regulation — a few common misunderstandingsI see a lot of posts about nervous system regulation that in...
24/04/2026

🌿 Nervous System Regulation — a few common misunderstandings

I see a lot of posts about nervous system regulation that include some misunderstandings.

Some common themes I’ve noticed:
* “Regulation means feeling calm”
* We should be regulated all the time
* “We can only regulate back to a fixed baseline”
* “It’s mainly about breathwork or meditation”

These aren’t quite accurate.

✨ Regulation isn’t about being calm all the time. It’s about feeling safe enough in the body — settled, perhaps at ease — with physiology that is balanced. And it can mean feeling calm too.

✨ We’re not meant to stay in one state. We need to be able to flexibly move through different states in response to life’s demands. Protective states are essential for survival — and when the threat has passed, we need to be able to return towards rest and digest.

✨ It’s not about “calming.” It’s about awareness & recognising too much activation (hyperarousal) or too little (hypoarousal), and responding in supportive, compassionate ways.

✨We’re not limited to a fixed baseline. Our window of tolerance (or bandwidth) can narrow with e.g. chronic stress, trauma, acute illness, or poor sleep — and it can also expand. I often talk about keeping “a foot or even big toe” in regulation to support gradually building capacity.

✨ Regulation isn’t one-size-fits-all.
Breathwork, movement, mindfulness, medication, hormones, nutrition, and more can all support it — and how they’re used matters. What helps one person may dysregulate another — understanding the underlying physiology, and listening to the body’s response is key.

✨ Regulation, including building capacity, matters for us all — across work, health and everyday life.

🌿 It’s not about fixing anything or controlling, it’s about choice, connection, balance, flexibility, and capacity over time.

I’ve studied this area for many years and it’s foundational in my work. And, of course, in my own life too.

💭 I’m curious — what does regulation means to you? What supports it for you? And does any of this resonate?

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