Lexden Physiotherapy - About Us

For over 22 years, Caroline & Rachel have worked together as Lexden Physiotherapy Ltd, situated in the heart of Lexden.  Founded on the principle that effective physiotherapy requires a personalised, hands-on approach, we have helped hundreds of patients find relief from chronic pain and acute injuries to return to work, sport and actvities that they love and sometimes even find new and exciting oppotunites to remain active.

We believe every body is unique and that nobody knows your body better than you. So...we listen and hear what you are telling us at every consultation.  We take a holistic approach to you and your condition whilst remaining realistic in what we ask of you in your recovery.  We understand everyone recovers a different paces, everyones capabilities and time constraints are different so we will work with you to create an individually tailored treatment plan that will not overwhelm you or demotivate you.  We will not and do not keep you coming week in, week out simply offering exercises as the answer. We will work with you to make the changes necessary to remain as active as possible.  That’s why we don't just offer generic exercise sheets; we provide skilled manual therapy and tailored treatment plans designed to get you back to the activities you love. We are honest with you and will encourage onward referral when and where possible never over treating you or bringing you back for more sessions without ongoing discussion. 

This is my opportunity to introduce myself and hopefully give you a feel of not only the professional qualities I possess but also my friendly approach to everyone I meet. I love my work in physiotherapy and the real sense of satisfaction that comes from making someone who has been suffering with pain comfortable again, allowing them to return to their normal activities. Physiotherapy is such a rewarding profession, and I feel lucky to pursue a career that I regard as a hobby as well. So, who am I? I am a Chartered Physiotherapist, and I run my practice from a purpose-built clinic at home.

What is a Chartered Physiotherapist, you may ask? This is the most important part of my qualifications; it means that the degree I studied was a recognised course endorsed by the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy. Through this, I am a member of the Health Care and Professionals Council, our regulatory body.

The title of Physiotherapist is a protected title. Without these qualifications and being registered with the HCPC, one cannot call themselves a Physiotherapist. If you wish to verify my registration, please visit the Health Professionals Council's website at www.hcpc-uk.org and enter my name under the online registration section. Additionally, I am a member of the Organisation of Chartered Physiotherapists in Private Practice and the Acupuncture Association of Chartered Physiotherapists.

I qualified in 1996 (wow, that's 30 years ago this year!) after spending four years studying at the University of East London, where I earned my BSc (Hons) degree in Physiotherapy. Upon qualification, I worked for two years at Bromley Hospitals NHS Trust as a junior physiotherapist, rotating through the many specialties that physiotherapists cover, ITU & Respiratory care, Neurology,  Elective and Trauma Orthopaedics, General surgical and medical wards as well as MusculoSkeletal outpatients (MSK) the speciality where I find myself today. 

Working as part of a multidisciplinary team alongside the Doctors, physiotherapists gain invaluable experience from a medical perspective within the hospital setting. These are all skills I learned and experiences that I draw on everyday when assessing and treating patients.  Having first hand experience of acute illness enables me to treat patients with co morbidities.  The effect these have on day to day activites or recovery times, right down to the position adopted during treatment sessions are vital.

When I moved home to Colchester I worked for five years at Colchester General Hospital as a Senior Physiotherapist, initially full-time and then part-time while I took time to have my two children. However, I continued to work during my maternity leave, running a clinic at the Royal Hospital School in Holbrook, Suffolk. There, I worked with both staff and pupils dealing with acute and chronic pain, including sports injuries and back pain. Returning to Colchester hospital after maternity leave,  I gained further promotion and helped set up the hydrotherapy and acute back pain services at the hospital. After leaving the NHS I began to work within the Private setting at a clinic within the town eventually leading to me opening my own practice.  Since qualifying, I ensure I attend further education courses and keep it at the forefront of my mind to continually maintain my professional standards.

Now, I have been practicing from Lexden since 2004 and have enjoyed meeting and helping so many people. I love it when I hear from my patients that they "trust me and my opinion". To me this shows I have developed a fantastic relationship with them. Having lived and worked in Lexden for over 20 years, I have often treated many members of the same family, mum, dad, children, grandparents and in-laws alike. To some, I think I am one of the family!  It is not just an honour to hear about family updates and events but also to be able to lend a kind ear when needed.  I am not a Counsellor but I am a good listener and will always signpost people to the appropriate healthcare professional when necessary.  Acknowledging the link between mind and body is vital.  We always maintain a porfessional environment although tears and laughter are always allowed!

Remember, no problem is too small!

Don't leave it and think it will just go away; often, these issues don't resolve on their own, and with a little gentle persuasion, they can be easily addressed to allow pain-free activity once again. It is also worth bearing in mind that the sooner you seek treatment, the less treatment you will need, which ultimately saves you money! 

I am always more than happy to chat over the phone about your condition before you commit to an appointment.

The premises are licensed by Essex County Council to practice acupuncture.