Corporate Collaboration
With many employees working from home most or all of the time since the pandemic, we've seen a massive change in daily routines, activity levels and work-related postures. From a physiotherapy perspective, there has been a significant increase in non-specific musculoskeletal complaints relating to posture, ergonomics and reduced movement. Low back pain, neck and shoulder pain, tennis elbow, sciatica and carpal tunnel have all been on the rise since the first national lockdown and have been associated with this change in routine and activity. We've also seen plenty of people who want to stay active, take up activities like running and home workouts. So we are also seeing some sports related injuries on the rise too: conditions such as achilles tendonitis and plantar fasciitis are commonplace in those who have pushed themselves a bit too hard too soon in their new quest for fitness at home! Additionally, we are finding that many want to start exercising at home, but are unsure where to start or what is going to be safe and effective for them, perhaps due to a history of injury, underlying medical conditions, or simply they have never exercised before.
At the moment, GP and NHS physiotherapy services are hard to reach and its increasingly difficult to get support for musculoskeletal problems other than a prescription for pain killers.
So in an effort to support employees trying to stay fit, healthy and pain-free, I offer 1:1 physiotherapy sessions in office or via video (usually 20/30 minute slots) to individuals, during which:
The individual explains any problems or pain they have been experiencing
A subjective and physical assessment is completed using targeted questioning and guiding the client through specific movements and tests to help to determine the source of symptoms
A collaborative treatment and management plan is discussed. This may include: injury management strategies, ergonomic adjustments, postural advice and re-education, manual therapy, strength and conditioning, home exercise plans, self-massage/release techniques, advice and education around exercise, injury, posture, pain, nutrition and overall health and wellness
If any onward referral is required for any concerning symptoms found during the assessment, help and advice will be also be provided
Alternatively, I also offer group workshops where I will cover topics and strategies to larger numbers of employees at once. Workshop themes that I have delivered to date include:
Ergonomics at home and in-office
Back and neck health for those working from home
Workshops on running / strength training at home
Getting started with home workouts
I've delivered virtual and in-person physiotherapy clinics and workshops for companies including CAE Technology Services, eBay, Fleishman Hillard, Checkout, Cohen & Steers UK, Intuit, Nest, KKR and many more. I've received lots of nice feedback from the individuals I've worked with who feel that this is an effective and convenient service for improving their physical and mental wellbeing during these difficult circumstances and helps them to feel better supported by their employers too. And it's no surprise that a happy, healthy and pain-free workforce is a more productive one!