Croxley Home Physio

01/09/2025

Another two days until I complete my 12 day Alpine hike. I am looking forward to coming back on Monday 8th September . As longevity physiotherapist I love helping all my clients maximising their mobility and function, whatever their level. Get in touch for a chat or to book a session.

19/03/2025

Yesterday I was fortunate enough to be watching Mr Houlihan-Burne performing knee replacement surgery at one of his clinics. In England, 51% of knee replacement procedures are for people over 70. Physiotherapy before AND after surgery is key to a good recovery. For any advice or input regarding your knee replacement or your loved one’s, get in touch. I offer a comprehensive and holistic programme and accompany you along your journey to recovery.
“I am more than pleased with you and how you have helped me with me knee replacement “ and “ I tell all my friends what a difference you have made to me […]” is some of the feedback from clients

30/01/2025

Have you or a loved one been in intensive care and now struggling at home?

Any stay in hospital and particularly in ICU can really impact your emotional, physical and psychological wellbeing.

After an ICU stay, it's essential to prioritise rest, gradual activity increases, a healthy diet, and managing emotional challenges. Remember that recovery takes time, so pace yourself, set realistic goals, and seek support from loved ones and professional therapy if needed.

Listen to your body: Don't push yourself too hard; take frequent breaks and rest when needed.

Physical recovery is part of the areas to focus on, and as specialist physiotherapy I can help you or your loved one with

Mobility exercises: gentle and gradual stretching, and range of motion exercises.

Breathing exercises: Practice deep breathing techniques to improve lung function.

Muscle weakness: Gradually build strength through targeted exercises.

And much more !

I will teach you how to start with light exercises and slowly build up intensity as tolerated.

Don’t forget

Nutrition: Eat a balanced diet with enough protein to support healing and maintain energy levels.

Hydration: Drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated.

Pain management: Communicate any pain to your doctor and use prescribed pain medication as needed.

In addition, for your mental and emotional wellbeing, acknowledge your feelings. It's normal to experience anxiety, depression, or confusion after a critical illness.

Talk to someone: Share your experiences with loved ones, a therapist, or a support group.
Use stress management: Practice relaxation techniques like deep breathing or meditation.

Think about your sleep management:

Establish a routine: Go to bed and wake up at similar times each day, even on weekends.

Create a relaxing sleep environment:Keep the room dark, quiet, and cool.

Often cognitive difficulties are not discussed :

Some people may experience memory problems or difficulty concentrating after an ICU stay, which can improve with time and cognitive rehabilitation.

Delirium can occur with older adults :
If you experienced delirium in the ICU, discuss strategies to manage symptoms with your healthcare team.

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD):
Some individuals may develop PTSD related to their critical illness experience, seeking therapy if necessary.

Any question or to discuss your needs please contact Croxleyhomephysio.co.uk or call us on 07939041451 or email at croxleyhomephysio@gmail.com

I offer assessment and rehabilitation sessions in the comfort of your own home

01/01/2025

Wishing everyone a happy and healthy 2025!

24/12/2024

Wishing all my lovely clients and their families a restful festive season and happy new year 🎄🌹

22/09/2024

Dementia and Alzheimer’s: what you can do to help a loved one who has dementia

This summer a person very close to me was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. It has made me think about the illness and what it means for sufferers and carers alike.
As a physiotherapist I have been involved with many clients with various degrees of dementia, from early stages to end of life.
Dementia is not a normal part of ageing and its not just about forgetting things. It is a group of symptoms caused by different diseases that damage the brain. The symptoms get worse over time and include:
memory loss
confusion and needing help with daily tasks
problems with language and understanding
changes in behaviour and movement
There are many types of dementia but Alzheimer's disease is the most common. The next most common is vascular dementia, which prevents blood from getting to the brain properly, and Lewy body disease.

One in three people born in the UK today will develop dementia in their lifetime. A report in 2024, commissioned by Alzheimer’s Society, shows that around a million people in the UK have a form of dementia. This is projected to rise to 1.4 million people by 2040.
The NHS recommends at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity per week, such as cycling, dancing, or brisk walking. Strength-building exercises, such as gardening, yoga, or lifting weights, should be done at least twice a week
There are several things you can do:
Get information about how to communicate to your loved ones with dementia. They can get scared, confused, angry. Communication tips can be found online.
Call a physiotherapist specialised in working with older adults like us: If you or your loved one shows signs of moving less, struggling more with walking and getting in and out of things or up and down stairs, and you are not sure where to start or how to motivate them: we can advise on exercises, safer transfers, safer set up at home.
At Croxleyhomephysio we help many older adults recover from illness or surgery, with the aim to maximise mobility and function against growing frailty and inactivity. We offer a thorough assessment to determine what is the best treatment and provide ongoing programmes to motivate, guide and empower clients.
If you are worried about a loved one’s mobility and function, check out croxleyhomephysio.co.uk and get in touch!

08/06/2024

Today Croxley Home Physio spent the day at the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurological Surgery on a Rock Tape Course . Rock Tape or K Tape is not only for athletes: it is proven to be an effective way to reduce pain, reduce swelling, help in better posture, activate weak muscles or relax the over active ones . I like to use it as part of my treatment and was grateful for the opportunity to deepen my knowledge; widen my skills, and look forward to helping more clients in future !

10/04/2024

Dr Kathryn Mannix spent her medical career working with people who have incurable, advanced illnesses. Starting in cancer care and changing career to become a pioneer of the new discipline of palliative medicine, she has worked as a palliative care consultant in teams in hospices, hospitals and in patients’ own homes, optimising quality of life even as death is approaching. She is passionate about public education, and having qualified as a Cognitive Behaviour Therapist in 1993, she started the UK’s (possibly the world’s) first CBT clinic exclusively for palliative care patients, and devised ‘CBT First Aid’ training to enable palliative care colleagues to add new skills to their repertoire for helping patients.

Using her experience as a physician, psychotherapist, trainer and service lead, Kathryn presents stories that illustrate how we can better understand and prepare for death (our own or somebody else’s) in her bestseller ‘With The End In Mind,’ and then leads us through the art of Tender Conversations in her latest book, ‘Listen.’

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What do we need to know now, to protect the wishes of our loved ones at the end of their lives?

Before you start, remember this conversation is theirs as much as yours:
- invite, don't compel.
- give them options about when to have this conversation, where to have it, how long to give it
-have a plan for after the chat: cuppa, favourite TV show, walk, hobby etc

⭐️Today's question is 'Who are the people you most want around you at the end of your life, if they can be there?'

We want to support you, yet not overwhelm you. It's also important that everyone understands how much company is enough for you, and how much is too much. Please help us to get the balance right for you.

⭐️How much companionship do you want? A room filled with dear people, or peace and quiet with people checking in from time to time?

Some of us are better known by our close friends than by family members, yet friends often keep away to make space for family. This is something worth talking through in advance.

⭐️Do you have wishes about access to people outside your family for support?
Who are your important friends? How can they be contacted?
Do you want them to visit, or just to be kept informed?

Some of us have responsibilities or arrangements that other people rely on, that our friends or family may not be aware of.

⭐️Who is relying on you?
Do you have dependents? Pets? Someone you regularly support with visits, letters or phone calls?
How should this be managed if you become too unwell, temporarily or permanently, to maintain those tasks?

⭐️How do you feel about your companions keeping other people up to date, for example via a WhatsApp group or one of the websites that helps share messages like ?

⭐️It's important to help your dearest people understand that you value them, and yet you may also need time to rest, time to think, or simply to relish time to yourself. Sometimes it's helpful to choose someone to be your 'personal assistant.' Give that person the job of telling others when to visit and when to leave you in peace.

What have you found helpful in organising visits, support, and enough rest time?

18/03/2024

I will be away between 21/3/2024 and 1/4/2024. Any urgent request for home visit from 3rd April do email me on croxleyhomephysio@gmail.com

I will be taking my new TRX suspension training kit with me to train but remember that ANY movement or exercise is beneficial, whether in standing , sitting or even lying. Movement and activity are key to good health and you don’t need fancy equipment for that.

I can help you achieve optimum mobility and function, regardless of your condition.
Any question get in touch!
Stephanie

16/02/2024

SCIATICA! I recently treated a client who was discharged from hospital in acute pain due to what she thought was “sciatica”. She had not slept for days. 😞

On assessment I suspected her pain instead came from a small hip muscle called Piriformis: I treated it with massage, stretches and taping and the pain resolved! My client was able to sleep again. 😊

A journal article published in National Library of Medicine 2004 reminds Practionners that there are many reasons for pain that resembles sciatica:

“A thorough differential list is essential in considering a diagnosis of sciatica and should include the following:

Herniated lumbosacral disc
Muscle spasm
Nerve root impingement
Epidural abscess
Epidural hematoma
Tumor
Pott disease, also known as spinal tuberculosis
Piriformis syndrome..!”

So if you think you have sciatica and *before* rushing to get treatment - make sure it has been confirmed by a doctor.

A good physiotherapist can always help with manual techniques, massage, taping, exercises and advice.

07/01/2024

A little bit of humour to illustrate the importance of exercise. Contact me if you want to learn and be motivated to move better and more !

01/01/2024

Happy New Year 2024!

Research shows that physiotherapy and exercise are hugely beneficial for a range of conditions from knee replacement (pre and post op),Parkinson’s disease, MS , cancer, dementia … and many more

In fact , exercise is a wonder drug that is proven to be key to physical and mental health throughout our lives

If you are thinking about getting help for any physical condition and would like a free 15 minute consultation get in touch !

If you then book a session in January I am offering £25 off first assessment: for £75 instead of £100.