Natalie Stephenson of Physio-logical being interviewed on the Richard Cartridge Show, BBC Radio Solent about her successful application to be a Physiotherapist at the London 2012 Olympics.

Hear Natalie talk about the competitive Application and Selection process, her excitement towards treating Olympic class athletes, providing physiotherapy at the highest level and how she feels the experience will enhance the level of care she can provide to her everyday patients.

As well as the Olympics Natalie also talks about her extensive training, qualifications, clinics, general Physiotherapy & Acupuncture and how they can benefit not only people with sporting injuries but also aches and pains caused by everyday life.

Click here to listen Physio-logical on the Richard Cartridge Show

Blog 11 – 11/01/12

At physio-logical we are trained and registered with AACP to practice conventional acupuncture.

Conventional acupuncture involves the use of pre-sterilised, single use disposable needles of that pierce the skin at the acupuncture points. Depending on the problem we will determine the locations of these points. Traditional acupuncture points will be used alongside trigger points. A number of needles may be used during each treatment, and these are usually left in position for 20 minutes before being removed.

Trigger point acupuncture is also used to relax specific muscles for longer-term unresolved muscle pain which then allows you to stretch and lengthen the muscle. The needle is inserted into the affected muscle until the tissue is felt the muscle.

The next blog will highlight acupuncture FAQ’s. If you have any questions about acupuncture then please feel free to ask and comment?

Blog 10 – 11/01/12

Acupuncture is a Chinese medical treatment in which fine needles are inserted into the skin at certain points on the body. It is used in the management of pain, inflammation and as a means of enhancing the body’s own healing chemicals in order to aid recovery and enhance rehabilitation

Acupuncture is one of the many skills used within physiotherapy. Physiotherapists base their treatments on scientific research and evidence that Acupuncture can reduce pain by stimulating the brain to produce natural pain-relieving chemicals such as endorphins, melatonin (helps with sleep) and serotonin (helps with general wellbeing). These chemicals assist the body’s healing processes and offer pain relief.

There are several techniques for applying acupuncture and these will be explained in my next blog.

Blog 9 – 11/01/12

Physiotherapists  work in a wide variety of health settings such as:

-          sports teams/club/clinics

-          private sector – working independently in private practice,

           clinics, treating a wide range of conditions.

-          intensive care

-          stroke rehabilitation and recovery

-          occupational health

-          mentall illness

-          orthopaedics (fractures and joint replacements)

-          care of elderly

-          outpatients

-          womens health

-          stroke patients

-          learning difficulties

-          terminally ill

-          paediatrics (children)

-          community – treating a wide variety of patients at home and giving advice to carers.

-          education and health promotion

Physiotherapists use all of their skills and knowledge to improve a range of physical problems associated with different areas of the body. Physiotherapists treat:

• neuromuscular (brain and nervous system)
• musculoskeletal (soft tissues, joints and bones)
• respiratory systems (heart and lungs and associated physiology).

Blog 8 09/01/12

“Physiotherapy helps restore movement and function to as near normal as possible

when someone is affected by injury, illness or by developmental or other disability”

CSP 2012

At Physio-logical we relieve pain, restore normal movement and functions to help return your body to its natural state by carrying out a full in-depth analysis of problems and underlying causes to help identify the appropriate treatment.

All physiotherapist undertake a 3 year degree in physiotherapy which includes 1000 clinical hours.

All chartered physiotherapist are regulated by the health professions council, see http://www.hpc-uk.org/

Physiotherapists work in a variety of settings, some of the most common areas are;

- Sports Injury Clinics – treatment of soft tissue, joints and bones

- Occupational Health – ergonomic assessments (such as; correct desk set up at work to prevent injury)

Can you think of any other areas a physiotherapist works?

Blog 7 09/01/12

One more news publication about my Olympic Journey

Following my good news about my selection to be a physiotherapist at the Olympics for the sailing team a local webpage has also published some information about my journey.

Please see http://www.aboutmyarea.co.uk/Hampshire/Portsmouth/PO6/Business-Talk/News/212815-Local-Physiotherapist-Makes-it-to-Olympics 

What do you think about the London 2012 Olympics? Are you going to watch any of the events?

I am really excited to be involved. I feel it is a once in a lifetime opportunity to work with top athletes. What I learn from being involved will be used to treat my everyday  clients.

My next few posts will talk about what physiotherapy is, areas physios work and how can a physiotherapist help you.

Please feel free to leave comments

A week after attending the test event at London Excel I received an email offering me a post to be a physiotherapist at London 2012 Olympics.

I will be a physiotherapist for the Sailing team based inWeymouthduring London 2012 Olympics. I am really excited, it is a once in a lifetime opportunity to be part of the Olympic games.

Before the actual event I will be attending a number of training days with the team atWeymouth.

I found out last night that I was going to be a page 3 girl! Please see news article about my journey to becoming an Olympic physiotherapist

http://www.portsmouth.co.uk/news/local/east-hampshire/physio_natalie_s_olympic_dreams_will_all_come_true_1_3396643

 Blog 5 – 05/01/12

I was invited to attend the Taekwondo test event at London Excel early December 2011.

At the event I worked alongside other physiotherapists, first aiders, sport masseurs, sports medicine doctors.

It was a great event everyone working there and taking part were so really friendly and excited about the main event in 2012

I was lucky enough to assess and treat some top athletes and world champions in Taekwondo and meet some of the top referees. I was part of the field of play team which meant if anyone was injured while competing along with sport medicine doctors we were able to assess and treat pitch side to enable athletes to continue to compete.

Blog 4 - 04/01/12

So the journey continues I received an email early 2010 to say that I had been selected to go for an interview to be a physiotherapist at the Olympics Games, I was so excited.

I went for my interview at London Excel in April 2010. When we arrived there was a small exhibition about past Olympics and also showing howLondonwill be hosting the Olympics this year.

At the interview I was asked how I would treat a weightlifter who wanted to compete two days after suffering from an acute back spasm. I answered I would complete a thorough assessment, looking o for any serious problems, then treat as I would in my day to day clinic an acute back spasm and would include rehabilitation to enable the weightlifter to compete in two days.

I was told there were over 1000 applicants applying for 200 positions to be a physiotherapist at the Olympic games.

I was asked if I would be available to take part in some of the Olympic Test events in preparation for London 2012, I said yes, another great opportunity.

Tomorrow I will talk about the test events I attended

Blog 3 - 03/01/12

Ok here goes, for anyone who wants to join me during my next few posts I am going to talk about how I applied to be a physiotherapist and have been successfully pick to be part of London 2012 Olympics.

I was reading my Physiotherapy Magazine back in October 2010 and saw an advert to apply to be a physiotherapist at London 2012. I thought this was a great opportunity not to be missed, a once in a lifetime experience.

I enjoy treating sportspeople, assessing pitch side and treating on the pitch to enable continued play. I also enjoy teaching people about injury prevention and if anyone gets injured my passion is quick and efficient treatment, full rehabilitation and return to full fitness and play ASAP.

So that is why I applied. I had to complete an online application and then wait to be invited for an interview.

My Olympic journey will continue tomorrow…..