FAQ

What is Physiotherapy?

Physiotherapy (also called Physical Therapy) is a healthcare practice that works to reduce or eliminate pain or physical struggles by targeting the neuromuscular and skeletal systems. Physical health is a massive component of overall wellness and unfortunately it can be looked into very late when a person starts to feel unwell. However it’s never too late to start and benefit from the positive effects of movement training, including breath training.

It is important to do a complete assessment in session 1 to understand where the pain is coming from. After this, I aim to empower clients with home exercises and education to apply to their everyday lives. The amount of adaptation possible in your body without the use of medication is enormous!

What is strength and conditioning?

Strength and conditioning is training in a gym to help build your muscular strength, power and endurance and also to improve your cardiovascular health. You can consider it like personal training. Strength and conditioning is a term more often used in the sporting world but it is applicable and valuable to anyone. At TOP, I primarily use free weights but I adapt to each of my client’s needs, using sometimes all bodyweight exercises.

Is TOP the right place for me?

The goals at TOP are encouraged to be towards improving pain, function and health.

If you are an athlete looking to excel in your sport, you will thrive at TOP where injury prevention, performance improvements and rehabilitation can all be found under one roof.

If you participate in any other activity, such as hiking, cycling or simply playing with your children often then you can benefit from my services. Resistance training can go a long way in keeping muscles strong and healthy, improving bone density, preventing injury and improving mental clarity.

If you have chronic pain, often physical activity and manual therapy interventions are extremely beneficial and I treat each person’s case very seriously so that I can get them the best results.

What if I’m too weak?

I have a keen interest in helping every person achieve their idea of strong. That means starting where you are, not where I or anyone else is. We all have different point As and different point Bs. My aim is to get you to your point B in the most enjoyable and rewarding path possible, based on what you tell me and what I know will work. At any time, including mid-session, you can communicate to me that you don’t like what we’re doing and things can be changed instantly. In my gym, everyone succeeds.

I don’t like massages that hurt, should I look elsewhere?

Not at all! I always preface each of my sessions with a conversation to establish what kind of pressure my client would like and to tell them to communicate to me if any pressure is ever too much. I also have a range of alternative techniques that can be used to loosen up muscles besides using conventional massage strokes.

What is the difference between a Physical Therapist and Physiotherapist?

The course I have completed was a Bachelor’s degree with the Institute of Physical Therapy and Applied Science (IPTAS). I am a registered member of the IAPT (Irish Association of Physical Therapists) and CORU’s healthboard for Physiotherapists.

Physical Therapists are primarily trained in the treatment of neuro-muscular injuries and complaints. We have a very strong background in hands on treatment (massage, mobilisations, etc) and orthopaedic assessment.

Physiotherapists can diagnose the same complaints but in general apply less soft tissue work and are also employed by the HSE to care for victims of cardiovascular, respiratory and neurological disorders due to their extra studies in these fields.

If you are ever in doubt as to who you should see, you can ask your GP or simply ring up the professional you would like to work with so they can tell you if they are appropriate for you or not.

Can I claim back sessions with my health insurance?

Yes, with a receipt you can claim back expenses if your policy covers physiotherapy or physical therapy.

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