Member Article

From Great North Run to London Marathon and Harley Street to Hexham

With the season fast approaching for thousands of people to take up running and training for events such as the London Marathon and the Great North Run, a north east physiotherapist is urging fun runners and seasoned professional athletes alike to look after their bodies while preparing for major running events.

Well-known Harley Street, TV and official London Marathon physio Paul Hobrough, who has helped world class athletes Steve Cram and Paula Radcliffe back to fitness, has major plans in the pipeline after moving his successful team at Physio & Therapy UK to its prime location in Hexham, but first, he has some important advice for those taking up running.

“Now is the right time to start training for the London Marathon or Great North Run and you really need to prepare so that you minimise the risk of injury. I’d recommend exercises to improve your strength, flexibility and conditioning. Spending just a few minutes a day doing these before running will pay dividends,” said Paul.

“Another key point is to make sure you wear well-fitting shoes. I see so many people start out with an old pair of trainers and then they wonder why they get a sports injury. Prevention of injuries is as important as the cure and at any stage of the training I’d urge runners to listen to their bodies and get expert help when needed so that they can continue to run at a professional or fun level.”

To further help those running a forthcoming spring time or half marathon, Paul is holding a running workshop on 9th March in Nottingham. The event is for runners of all abilities where they will learn how to stay injury free and what to expect on race day. Leading industry experts including Paul will give talks on injury prevention, strength and conditioning, flexibility, nutrition and advice will be on hand on training plans from UK coaches. For those unable to attend, Paul’s clinic in Hexham offers a unique blend of services to aid the runner.

Said Paul: “Our new clinic might be 300 miles from our Harley Street clinic, but it has the same feel and quality of services we provide.

“We’ve pushed the boundaries in both the treatments we offer, which cover the latest and greatest in technology, as well as expert advice in a whole host of options, including alternative therapies and remedies. It’s what puts us way ahead of the competition, not only here in the North. We’ve re-invented physiotherapy as part of a consistent package of customer service which helps with good health care.”

Consistently ahead of the track, Paul is currently creating the software for his own exclusive artificial intelligence body map programme that can track, review and improve people’s movement range and quality using an avatar. Bodymap-pro is set to revolutionise the way that patients’ injuries are diagnosed and treated. It works by comparing data from previous body mapping with current results. From this, the rate and progress of recovery can be analysed and the correct level of treatment applied.

Other technology Paul uses includes the use of digital pressure pads to measure how a person stands, walks and runs during Gait Analysis. This process analyses the way in which the feet move to establish if they roll inwards, outwards or if they stay neutral. Using data captured together in the analysis and the patient’s injury history, Paul can advise on training routines and the correct footwear to use in order to minimise further injury.

Paul is also the UK’s leading expert on Shockwave Therapy. He trains other physio’s in its use and uses the technology to help people recover faster from a wide range of sporting injuries.

“This is probably the most important thing that has happened to aid recovery in all the time that I’ve been working in physiotherapy,” said Paul.

“Shockwave Therapy stimulates cell growth to help people recover more quickly. For those people with injuries that just won’t go away this treatment can help them to get their life back. If you want to get back to full fitness faster, then Shockwave Therapy is the answer. It works on muscle strains and tears and can be used on almost all of the body. Simply put, it gets people better faster.”

While staying abreast of the latest developments in his field, Paul’s extensive qualifications in sports science, physiotherapy and sports therapy means he only adopts those which are tried, tested and evidence-based.

For Paul, who overcame dyslexia to achieve a number of academic sports related qualifications including a Masters qualification, the key is helping others achieve what they initially fear they will never be able to.

“Sometimes we are a last resort for people suffering with pain and injury. We ask clients ‘What can’t you do as a result of the pain or injury?’, and help them to see what it will mean to them when they achieve the goals we set. We have a psychologist on our team and it’s all part of the process of making someone as pain free as possible. That’s the best thing for me. I enjoy seeing people get better whether they are fun runners or world class athletes.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Keith Newman .