Wannarun Chartered Physiotherapy and Running Clinic

11/11/2021

This week's piece for the Mayo News discusses the options for exercising as the weather cools down.

With quotes from Paddington 2....

Grad a cuppa and read more here.

HEALTH Andrew O’Brien has tips for doing exercise in winter, whether that’s outdoors or indoors

05/11/2021

We all want to be resilient these days, right? Every wellness guru and football coach mentions resilience whenever they open their mouth.

But how can we become more resilient? And how can we help our kids to?

Buy them a skateboard...

Read my piece from the Mayo News to find out more

https://www.mayonews.ie/living/nurturing/37501-if-at-first-you-don-t-succeed

HEALTH Andrew O’Brien watches on as his nine year old masters skateboarding, and realises the multiple benefits

09/09/2021

We got a puppy!

And did you know that as well as being cute, they're good for you?

Read my recent piece for The Mayo News to find out more.

https://www.mayonews.ie/living/nurturing/37310-four-legged-physical-and-mental-therapy

20/07/2021

Hot enough for ya?

We are, according to Met Eireann, now in the grips of a heat wave & temperatures could reach 30 degrees.

So, should you be exercising? And if you are, what precautions should you take?

Read on below

https://www.mayonews.ie/living/nurturing/32346-too-hot-to-exercise

HEALTH Training in a heatwave means taking a few precautions, writes physiotherapist Andrew O’Brien

20/05/2021

This weekend we'll be taking part in the Westport Tennis Club's fundraising walk on the Bangor Trail.

30 members of Westport Tennis Club will walk the 25km on the Bangor Trail (hopefully in the sunshine) to raise funds to help pay for the new clubhouse and a proposed 3rd court.

Did you know tennis players live longer? Tennis is a fantastic exercise for young and old, regardless of whether you are competitive or prefer a bit of a social hit and giggle.

We'd love if you could donate a few euros to the cause at http://www.gofundme.com/f/WTCBangorTrailChallenge

We'd also love if you considered joining the club and experiencing this great sport for yourself!

https://www.facebook.com/events/249972393264418/?ref=newsfeed

Westport Tennis Club is a vibrant, growing club. It nurtures young … Westport Tennis Club needs your support for Westport Tennis Club - Bangor Trail Challenge

20/10/2020

Despite the move to Level 5 restrictions, WE ARE OPEN FOR YOU!

As healthcare providers we will be staying open throughout this lockdown period.

Obviously we will continue to follow all the guidelines with regards to PPE and contact precautions to keep you safe.

Please call Joan on 083 1593200 if you need an appointment.

Stay safe.
Andrew and Joan

31/07/2020

It's hard work being a tourist...

If you're heading away this bank holiday weekend, don't forget to look after your legs and stay sufficiently hydrated.

Read my piece in last week's Mayo News for a few practical tips.

https://www.mayonews.ie/living/nurturing/35588-it-s-hard-work-being-a-tourist

09/07/2020

This week's piece in The Mayo News looks at different causes of neck pain and how they can be managed.

If you have a neck problem, please contact us on 083 1593200 to make an appointment.

https://www.mayonews.ie/living/nurturing/35537-stress-cricks-and-lashes

26/06/2020

Over the last few months the world has spent countless millions and put in an untold effort to fight COVID-19, and it seems many countries are either on top of the numbers, or getting close to it.

As we in Ireland emerge from the crisis and lock down, it's worth taking a moment to think about how much effort went into 'flattening the curve' of a disease that, as of today had 24,405 confirmed cases and 1,727 fatalities.

If we could all self-isolate, social distance, wear masks and wash our hands for a contagious disease, shouldn't we aim to reduce our risk of non-contagious diseases too?

I wonder whether we should take some of what we did over the last few months and aim to 'flatten the bulge', or 'suppress the cough' . After all, when you look at the numbers, we're all far more likely to be affected by lifestyle related illnesses that are genuinely preventable.

See my piece in this week's The Mayo News for my thoughts.

https://www.mayonews.ie/living/nurturing/35474-covid-s-knock-on-health-benefits

HEALTH Lockdown changes could do much more than help protect us from Covid-19, writes physio Andrew O’Brien

12/06/2020

We're back to work next week, but things are going to be a bit different.

Have a read of this week's piece in The Mayo News to get an insight into how physiotherapy appointments will work for the foreseeable future.

https://www.mayonews.ie/living/nurturing/35417-as-restrictions-ease-how-will-physiotherapy-work

HEALTH While physios can now see some clients in their clinics, video consultations are common and working well

11/06/2020

We are glad to announce that we are finally able to offer face-to-face appointments from next week.

Obviously due to COVID-19 restrictions, things will be different for a while, but we look forward to helping you keep moving as well as possible.

Please call us on 0831593200 would like to make an appointment.

In the meantime, have a great weekend!

28/05/2020

Do you have 'weak' ankles?

A badly managed ankle sprain can cause problems for years, both in the ankle itself and further up the body when you try to avoid putting strain on the joint.

This usually happens because when people get their ankle to where it's 'grand', but don't follow right to the end of the rehab plan and get back to 100%.

If you have problem ankles and need a structured rehab programme, by calling us on 083 1593200

27/05/2020

Can't quite do what you want to do?

Don't worry, we've got your back...

Get in touch on 083 1593200 and about online or over the phone consultations.

26/05/2020

Are you injured? Fell off the bike? Over done it in the garden?

Maybe it's time to what you can do to get better and keep moving.

We're available for online and over the phone consultations. Call us on 083 1593200 and let us help you.

19/05/2020

Hello to all our clients. We hope you are coping with the lockdown period and have managed to stay well. It has been a challenging period for all, but there now appears to be some light at the end of the tunnel.

With the COVID-19 restrictions being eased, we thought it time to update all our clients on our plans for a physical re-opening. There are a number of factors that will influence when we can open and how we go about doing so.

The current guidelines state that face to face appointments should only be offered to those with acute problems who can not be helped remotely. In addition, physical distancing needs to be maintained as much as possible and close contact of less than 2m needs to be kept under 15 minutes to minimise the risks of infection.

On top of these restrictions, it would appear the Westport Leisure Park will not be able to open until at least 20 July. We are working on an alternative solution in the interim.

For now, we will continue to offer online video consultations to all clients. While there was understandable anxiety around these initially, all feedback has been positive. In some ways a remote session can be better in terms of encouraging (or forcing) patients to take a more active role in their own rehab, rather than relying on a therapist to ‘fix’ them.

We hope that you are well and don’t need a physio, but if you do, we’re here to help at any time.

Online appointments can be arranged by calling 083 1593200.

Thanks for your patience. Stay well and keep washing your hands.

Andrew & Joan O’Brien

02/05/2020

Half marathon in the sun with company & pacing from Joan & Conor for the last 5k.

Great to see a few of the neighbourhood physios out on their own challenges as well and so many Westport folks out to

02/05/2020

Today is Mayo Day, and as part of the Physios Covid-19 Campaign I'm about to run a half marathon around Westport to encourage everyone to and also to assist in raising some funds for the Mayo University Hospital Patient Comfort Fund.

We want to encourage everyone to do some physical activity while social distancing & staying within their 2km radius.

Come on, let's

02/05/2020

Gday, Andrew O’Brien here from Wannarun Chartered Physiotherapy and Running Clinic in Westport.

As physiotherapists we are constantly reminding people about the importance of physical activity. We all know it is good for us physically and mentally. Did you know it is useful at all ages and stages of life; as a preventative measure and rehabilitation tool, as well for sheer enjoyment? Research has shown that physical activity lowers the risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes and many cancers. It has also been shown to be beneficial in lowering the risk of developing mental health issues and as a treatment option in mental illness.

In these challenging times, when the news is filled with nothing but negativity around COVID-19, anything you can do to maintain or improve your physical and mental health is important.

That’s where the Physios COVID 19 Campaign comes in. Today is Mayo day, and more than 60 physiotherapists from around the county will be taking on their own physical activity challenges to .

We’d like everyone to do their own bit of physical activity at some stage today. Long or short, hard or easy, on foot or wheels; it doesn’t matter as long as you practice your social distancing and remain within 2km of your home.

I’m just setting out to run a half marathon around Westport. This little bloke and his mum will be joining me for the last 5km, meaning we’ll be running a combined total of 31km.

As well as doing something physical, it would be great if you could dip into your wallet and donate some money to the Mayo University Hospital Patient Comfort Fund by following the link here: gf.me/u/xxghxn

Come on, let’s