Prestons Health

13/04/2026

Back pain in young athletes isn’t something to ignore — even if it seems minor at first.

The challenge is that symptoms can be subtle early on, and many athletes will keep training because the pain is manageable. Over time, though, that’s where small issues can develop into more significant injuries.

The key is early recognition and the right advice at the right time.

If a young athlete is repeatedly complaining of back pain — especially during sport — it’s always worth getting it checked properly.

11/04/2026

👏👏

09/04/2026

Menopause doesn’t mean stopping training.

It means adjusting the dial.

In clinic, we look at:

1. Load vs capacity
2. Sleep & stress load
3. Nutrition & protein intake
4. Pelvic floor function
5. Recovery timing
6. Hormone context (if relevant)

The biggest shift?

Your load tolerance window may be narrower.

So spikes matter more than totals.

Strength work becomes non-negotiable.

Midlife isn’t decline.

It’s a different operating system.

And when you understand it, you can train well for decades.

08/04/2026

Walking is one of the most common goals we hear in clinic.

Not running.

Not lifting heavy.

Just being able to walk further, faster, or at the end of the day — without pain.

Rehab should support real life, not just the gym.

If walking is limited, it matters.

08/04/2026

Today at the Neurodiversity in Business conference in London 2026.

A lot to take away, and even more to reflect on as I think about how to bring this back to the team and continue shaping Prestons into a more inclusive space for both patients and staff.

Common themes that stood out:
Human brains are different by design
Collaboration for meaningful impact
Psychological safety as a foundation, not an add-on
Designing roles around strengths, not deficits
Rethinking power dynamics and building structures that work for everyone
Moving beyond labels
Co-constructing systemic change
Nothing about us without us
Adapting environments for physical, cognitive and sensory needs (you can’t put freshwater fish in a saltwater environment)
Nervous system literacy, including gender differences and hormone fluctuations
Masking and burnout

Lots of food for thought on how healthcare can learn from business, and how this thinking extends into education and sport too.

More to come.

NeurodiversityAtWork InclusionMatters LeadershipInHealthcare

07/04/2026

HRT is not one-size-fits-all.

It’s not a miracle cure.

And it’s not the villain it was made out to be in the early 2000s.

Modern guidance is clear: For many women, started within 10 years of menopause, benefits outweigh risks.

But the decision should always be: individual and informed.

It isn’t about “everyone should take it.”

It’s about understanding your options properly.

Next: how we actually programme training differently in midlife.

06/04/2026

Most people who come to physio share the same few worries — but the reality is usually very different.

02/04/2026

31/03/2026

During perimenopause:

• Protein metabolism changes

• Muscle mass naturally declines (unless trained)

• Tendon repair signalling is slower

• Sleep disruption affects tissue recovery

Your body can still adapt.

But it may need:

• More protein

• More structured strength work

• Better sleep hygiene

• Longer progression blocks

• Fewer “spikes” in load

Midlife training isn’t about pushing harder.

It’s about respecting recovery.

Next: let’s talk HRT myths.

29/03/2026

Fun day out at London Olympia Hyrox as chief supporter today!

Congrats to Mark and Nick for their first ever Hyrox 👏

27/03/2026

Welcome to the team, Carlos!

We’re excited to have Carlos join us this week as our new physio.

You’ll see him around the clinic and in the David Lloyd space—please make sure to say hello and give him a warm Prestons welcome!

26/03/2026

Same training.

Same shoes.

Same routes.

More pain.

Why?

Oestrogen receptors exist in tendon tissue.

When oestrogen fluctuates or declines:

• Collagen remodelling slows

• Tendons become less efficient at handling load

• Recovery takes longer

• Your “load tolerance window” narrows

This doesn’t mean you’re weaker.

It means programming matters more.

Often it’s not that you need to stop training, you need smarter loading and better recovery.

If you’ve developed Achilles, gluteal or shoulder pain in your 40s… this could be why.

Next: why recovery now takes longer than it used to.