Parnell Harper Injury Clinic and Personal Training

29/04/2025

Manchester Marathon 2025 what an experience.

My aim when I decided to do this marathon was to get to the start line injury free and raise money in tribute to my friend Mark, in aid of the
The competitive side of me wanted to run it in 4 hours and this plan was going well until mile 20. It is often said that a marathon begins at mile 20 and I guess I found that to be true!!

The final amount raised is £2300, so a massive thank you for all your donations, my finishing time was 4h 15 and the pizza was from pizza express 😁

22/05/2023

F E E D B A C K

I am so privileged to spend my time passing on everything I love to other people 🥊👸🏻

Boxing is renowned for building self esteem, confidence, self worth and respect for ourselves and other people. I have worked with lots of teenage girls using boxing as a platform to boost how they see themselves.

Feedback like this makes my heart burst - physical results are amazing but helping to mould someone’s mindset is the most worthy way I can think of to spend my time

21/03/2023

Such a wonderful service provided by Tom and Harrie 👏

APRIL HALF TERM HAF CAMP @ THE BARN

As per previous half terms we will be running a school holiday activity at the gym.
We are very lucky to run this alongside west Oxfordshire district council which provides funding for children on free school meals.
(These spaces can be booked via this link
https://thebarnboxingandfitnessltd.coordinate.cloud/project/40470 )

We understand that in the current climate, everybody that may be in need of support may not be eligible. Thankfully we have some local heroes that fund spaces for children that do not qualify.
As always of .e.f_brick_and_stonework has been the first in the queue to show his support and has again provided two spaces for children that don’t meet the criteria.

We are hopeful to find another company or two to provide spaces for 3 more children if possible.

If you know of anyone that may want to attend the camp or support the camp, head over to the booking link if you’re eligible or send us a message for more information on how to join.

03/10/2022

In patients with symptoms of nerve root compression, there are four levels of potential compression.

👇 👇 👇

👉Disc level (central)
-This is the most common area where nerves are compressed-mostly by herniated discs and less frequently due to spinal stenosis. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25659245/, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8186959/, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24365318/, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8883210/

👉 Level of lateral recess
-This is the area below the disc where the nerve runs more laterally towards the foramen. Narrowing of the lateral recess is caused by facet arthrosis, usually in combination with hypertrophy of the flavum ligament and bulging of the disc. https://asmedigitalcollection.asme.org/biomechanical/article-abstract/133/7/071010/455239/Spinal-Facet-Joint-Biomechanics-and?redirectedFrom=fulltext

👉 Foramen
-This is the area between two pedicles, where the nerve leaves the spinal canal. Narrowing of the foramen is seen in facet arthrosis, spondylolisthesis and foraminal disc herniation - usually a migrated disc from a lower level. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33441430/

👉 Extra-foraminal
-This is the area lateral to the foramen. Nerve compression in this area is uncommon, but is sometimes caused by a laterally herniated disc. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33441430/

📍 At these four levels there can be a lot of overlap of pathology. For instance a herniated disc can cause nerve compression at the level of the disc, but also at the level of the foramen or extra-foraminal when there is migration of the disc.

Picture: Smithuis, R. Lumbar Disc Herniation and other causes of nerve compression. Radiology Assistant

05/02/2022

We’ve been very quiet lately on our social media (not that we were ever really that prolific 🙄) and I’m pleased to say the reason for this is because we’re both very busy doing what we love to do. We are diagnosing issues, working with people to regain strength and pain free movement, it seems that Kevin, myself and our amazing clients are seizing 2022 and getting active, it’s fantastic to see!
Kevin has been working with Swindon Town (more of this to come) and training for a marathon in the spring and I’ve taken to the hills of Wiltshire with my running and enjoying the freedom that comes with it. If you switch the sound on, you may hear a Skylark 🥰
We both very much understand the frustrations of injury, so please drop us a message if you need our assistance.

19/11/2021

This week in the Wednesday yoga class our focus was on Adho Mukha Svanasana or Downward Facing Dog.
With this posture it is easy for the focus to be drawn to the heels of the feet, however I feel if we let this happen the real beauty of this posture is lost.
With the palms of the hands pressed firmly into the mat we lay a firm foundation, this allows the pelvis to lift and for me this is where the magic of the posture is, as it allows the upper back (which is so often slightly flexed) to come into an extended position. This possibly creates space in the rib cage for the lungs to expand. The hamstrings can then be pressed back and finally encouraging the heels towards the floor. I find it’s a restful posture often within the dynamic flowing movements of a sun salutation.

You don’t have to practise yoga under a hanging bicycle, however I find the added danger helps with concentration 😀

29/09/2021

Last week in our Strength and mobility class the focus was balance.
Balance assists us with moving confidently through life and we probably give it very little thought. It does however begin to deteriorate if it’s not used and tested.
We balance through a combination of messages from the balance organs of our inner ears, from the eyes and our nervous system, these messages together inform the brain where your body is in space. It happens unconsciously allowing us humans to do things at the same time as being balanced, such as playing a racket sport or having a conversation while riding a bike. If not ever tested our brains aren’t as able to integrate these messages and send the tiny adjustment signals to our muscles which enable us to feel stable and balanced.

So how do we test our balance? The good news is you don’t have to slackline! But you do have to do something which you find challenging to your balance; standing on one leg, standing on one leg with your eyes closed, walking backwards, slowly walking with one foot in front of the other, walking on uneven surfaces. It’s important to say though, start small and stay safe! If you can stand on one leg with your eyes closed you’re doing well ⚖️

23/08/2021

We are re-launching our Strength and Mobility class beginning this Wednesday at 12.30 taking place at Everyday Fitness Wroughton.

This class is ideal if you...

* Haven't done any exercise for a long time.
* Find the idea of exercise classes daunting.
* Would like to improve your strength, mobility, balance and stability.
* Would like to build a foundation for long term health.
* Like the idea of a six week progressive programme, under the supervision of instructors providing guidance, education and support.

Please call Claire on 07796501227 for more information or to book your place.

20/07/2021

Atlas is playing it cool these days and not wearing a mask, but just FYI Kevin and I are wearing masks in the clinic.
Working from the Blunsdon clinic today, golf seems to be today’s theme, as I’ve seen three golfers this morning.

15/07/2021

At the Wroughton clinic this morning, neck and shoulder pain seems to be the theme of the day.

30/06/2021

In 1999 after a bike accident where I hit a tree in Richmond park I started yoga. I had no idea what it was, but as I was injured and couldn’t run or ride for a while I decided to go along to a class with a friend. It was an Ashtanga class and I loved it!
Since then, I have become more and more interested in the philosophy and meditative side of yoga than I am in having a perfect Vrishchikasana (although that’s cool too 😎) and this I hope is reflected in my teaching.
Over the last 22 years 😬I have continued to practise and have been incredibly lucky with the teachers I have studied under.
Yoga can be a complex web if you’re not sure what you’re looking at…What is it? Why are there so many types? Is it exercise? Is it good for me? What are those complex words some teachers use? What philosophy? Meditation?
So I’m going to make Wednesday’s yoga day on the ParnellHarper social media, a time to look and explore some of these and other questions, please feel free to join me.
If you’d like to come to a class, I currently teach at BlunsdonHouse Hotel on a Wednesday morning at 10.25am contact me for further details.

27/06/2021