Where Does Laser Therapy Fit Into Sports Injury Rehabilitation?

When you’re active, the goal following an injury isn’t necessarily to stop everything until the pain disappears. Whether you train pole or aerial, run, cycle, swim, lift weights or compete in sport, rehabilitation is usually about finding the balance between allowing irritated or injured tissues to recover and gradually rebuilding their ability to tolerate load.

There are lots of tools we can use to help with that process. One that we have recently introduced is MLS® Laser Therapy.

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Why movement screening changes everything in Physiotherapy.

Have you ever tried to explain your injury and thought, “I don’t even know how it happened”? You’re not alone, and sometimes your physio might not fully understand the demands of your sport or activity either. That’s why modern physiotherapy is moving away from guesswork and toward understanding how your body actually moves.

That’s where movement screening and video analysis come in.

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From early rehab to return to performance.

Bridging the gap between post-op recovery and true return to performance.

In January, I shared Abby’s story; she was in the later stages of her ACL rehabilitation and working toward a full return to higher-level activity.

I wanted to expand on that, because “late stage rehab” can mean different things to different people, and recently I’ve also been supporting patients at the very beginning of their ACL journey.

Here’s what that full spectrum actually looks like.

Late-stage ACL rehab (like Abby):

This is the phase after the basics are restored. Swelling has settled. Range of movement is good. Foundational strength is back.

But late-stage rehab isn’t just “getting stronger.”

It involves:

  • Single-leg power and plyometric progression.
  • Deceleration and change-of-direction control.
  • Rotational stability.
  • Fatigue testing.
  • Psychological confidence rebuilding.
  • Sport- or activity-specific loading.

This is where we move from “recovered” to genuinely resilient.

For Abby, that meant refining movement quality, building confidence under load, and preparing her body for the demands she actually wanted to return to, not just passing a time-based milestone.

Immediate post-op ACL rehab:

At the other end of the spectrum, I’m also seeing more patients in the very early stages following surgery.

This phase focuses on:

  • Reducing swelling and pain.
  • Restoring knee extension (crucial early goal).
  • Gentle range restoration.
  • Quadriceps activation.
  • Gait re-education.
  • Protecting the graft while promoting safe loading.

Early rehab sets the tone for everything that follows. The quality of this stage often determines how smoothly someone progresses later.

What makes our approach different:

ACL rehab isn’t one-size-fits-all, and it shouldn’t be purely exercise sheet-based.

My approach combines:

  • Hands-on manual therapy to optimise joint mechanics and soft tissue mobility.
  • Individualised, progressive exercise prescription.
  • Reformers and supported loading to rebuild strength safely.
  • Bungee-assisted systems to retrain deceleration and confidence.
  • Research-backed return-to-sport criteria.
  • Ongoing reassessment rather than time-based progression.

Rehab isn’t just about healing a ligament. It’s about restoring trust in your body.

Whether someone is 2 weeks post-op or 9 months into recovery and feeling “nearly there but not quite,” the goal is the same:

  • Build strength.
  • Restore control.
  • Create resilience.

If you or someone you know is navigating ACL rehab, early or late stage, I’m always happy to discuss where you are in the process and what the next step should look like.

Recovery doesn’t have to feel uncertain. It just needs the right progression.

Jane x

Chartered Physiotherapist & Founder of Pole Kinetics PT

Why Physiotherapists Love the Pilates Reformer.

A Tool for Recovery and Performance!

Traditional exercises and manual therapies may come to mind when you think of physiotherapy. But have you ever wondered why some physiotherapists, like me, incorporate the Pilates Reformer into their treatment plans? This innovative piece of equipment has a rich history and offers unique benefits that can bridge the gap between injury recovery and performance enhancement.

A Brief History of the Pilates Reformer:

Joseph Pilates invented the Pilates Reformer in the early 20th century as part of his comprehensive approach to physical fitness, which he called “Contrology.” Designed originally for rehabilitation, the Reformer helped bedridden patients regain strength and mobility. Over the years, it evolved into a versatile fitness tool embraced by athletes, dancers, and anyone looking to improve their physical capabilities.

Joseph’s concept was simple yet revolutionary: controlled resistance through springs and a sliding carriage could strengthen and lengthen muscles simultaneously. This principle is just as relevant today as it was a century ago, making the Reformer a natural fit for physiotherapy.

Why Do Physiotherapists Use the Reformer?

  1. Controlled Progression for Recovery:
    Rehabilitation often requires balancing the body’s challenges and protecting it from further strain. The Reformer beautifully provides this balance. Its adjustable resistance allows me to tailor exercises to your specific needs, whether you’re recovering, you’re undergoing surgery, managing chronic pain, or addressing a recent injury. For instance, gentle resistance can aid in reactivating weak muscles, while greater tension can gradually build strength in a controlled manner.

  2. Restoring Functional Movement:
    The Reformer is ideal for retraining movement patterns that may have been lost due to injury or compensations. It enables precise, guided movements that mimic real-life activities. This focus on functional movement ensures that progress in the clinic translates to better mobility and strength in your daily life.

  3. Joint-Friendly Exercise:
    Many exercises, especially those involving weights or impact, can strain joints. The Reformer offers a low-impact alternative that protects your joints while still providing an effective workout. This particularly benefits individuals with arthritis, joint replacements, or other conditions requiring careful load management.

  4. Strength and Mobility for Every Body:
    Whether you’re an elite you’re or a weekend gardener, the Reformer caters to all fitness levels. It’s especially visible for targeting deep stabilising muscles, which are often neglected in traditional workouts. This translates to better shoulder control, core stability, and overall movement efficiency for pole athletes, aerialists, or anyone performing overhead tasks.

Injured or Not: The Reformer Fits Your Goals:

  • For Injury Rehabilitation: The Reformer allows for early mobilisation and gentle strengthening during recovery. Its versatility makes it suitable for treating various conditions, from post-surgical recovery to chronic issues like back pain or tendinopathies.

  • For Performance Enhancement: Even if you’re injury-free you’re Reformer can elevate your fitness. With exercises that challenge your range of motion, control, and strength, it’s a powerful tool for mastering advanced movements or simply feeling stronger and more flexible in daily life.

A Personal Touch:

At my clinic, I use the Pilates Reformer not only as a treatment tool but also to empower my clients. Whether you’re an athlete looking for peak performance or someone navigating the challenges of an injury, the Reformer offers a path to better movement, confidence, and resilience.

Jane x

Chartered Physiotherapist

Untangling risk factors for injuries in circus artists in the USA.

Discussing research...

Untangling risk factors, including discipline-specific exposure for injuries in preprofessional and professional circus artists in the USA.

This prospective cohort study aimed to analyse injury patterns in preprofessional and professional circus artists based on their exposure to specific circus disciplines. The study enrolled 201 circus artists aged 13 to 69 years, with 172 female and 29 assigned male at birth. The participants were located in 10 cities across the USA and were followed for one year. They recorded their training activities weekly and underwent evaluations by physical therapists to identify and document injuries. The study utilised the circus-specific extension of the International Olympic Committee’s consensus on recording injury and illness in sports to analyse the injury patterns.

The completion rate of the study was 77% (155 participants). The data were analysed based on participant subgroups, including age, professional status, and assigned sex at birth. The highest injury rates were observed in males (5.69 injuries per 1000 exposures). Regarding specific disciplines, the highest injury rates were associated with aerial disciplines involving ground elements (5.93 injuries per 1000 exposures) and aerial disciplines alone (4.26 injuries per 1000 exposures). Adults experienced more injuries related to aerial disciplines, while adolescents had more injuries related to ground disciplines. Non-time loss injuries were also more common among adolescents. Females had a higher proportion of repetitive injuries compared to males. Females had a higher proportion of repetitive injuries (70% vs 55%) than males (χ2 (1) = 4.43, p=0.035). Participants with a history of eating disorders had a higher number of injuries compared to those without such a history.

This study on injury patterns among circus artists has some potential flaws that should be considered. Firstly, the generalisability of the findings is limited as the study was conducted in the USA with a small sample size from specific cities. Additionally, relying on self-reported training logs and injury reports introduces the possibility of recall bias and misreporting. The study also experienced selection bias, with a completion rate of 77%, potentially affecting the representativeness of the enrolled participants. Moreover, the lack of a control group hinders comparisons with non-circus artists. The study primarily focused on injury occurrence rather than severity, limiting the understanding of the true impact of these injuries. Furthermore, confounding factors, such as previous injury history or training intensity, were not extensively addressed. These limitations emphasise the need for further research to validate and expand upon these findings.

Despite the potential flaws in the study, several noteworthy aspects should be acknowledged. Firstly, a prospective cohort design provides a strong foundation for examining injury patterns over time. Additionally, the study’s adoption of the circus-specific extension of the International Olympic Committee’s consensus on recording injury and illness in sports demonstrates a tailored approach to analysing injuries in the context of circus arts. The inclusion of a diverse range of participants in terms of age, assigned sex at birth, and professional status enhances the study’s applicability and allows for insights across various subgroups. The longitudinal follow-up period of one year enables a comprehensive understanding of injury patterns among circus artists. Moreover, the study successfully identifies intrinsic and extrinsic risk factors, such as age, assigned sex at birth, and history of eating disorders, shedding light on important considerations for injury prevention strategies. Lastly, emphasising the intersectionality of these risk factors highlights the need for a nuanced approach to promoting safety and implementing effective training practices within the circus community.

In conclusion, this study demonstrated that various factors, including age, assigned sex at birth, history of eating disorders, and exposure to specific circus disciplines, influenced the risk of injuries in circus artists. To effectively manage these risks, it is crucial to consider the intersectionality of these factors at both individual and group levels.

Jane x

Is Pole Fitness A Good Workout?

Is Pole Fitness A Good Workout?

Pole fitness is a whole body workout, helping you to build serious upper body and core strength, coordination and flexibility with a combination of cardio, bodyweight training and dance. If you’re curious about pole fitness, this quick guide on muscles and moves from X-POLE is the perfect place to start.

Shoulders and Upper Back:

  • The shoulders and back work hand in hand and comprise the most important muscles used in pole and aerial fitness.
  • Movement Example: pole or aerial Invert (i.e. going upside down).
  • Muscles Used: deltoids, trapezius, latissimus dorsi, rhomboids, rotator cuff group. 

Arms & Hands:

  • Your forearms, wrists and hands are the most used body parts as this is what you’re holding on with. The bicep and triceps work together to lift, pull and push your body into each position needed. So, your arms will be getting a good workout for the entire session.
  • Movement Example: corkscrew.
  • Muscles Used: bicep, tricep, brachioradialis.

Core:

  • Having a strong core is key to lifting into moves with control. It is good practice to work on your core strength by cross-training and conditioning.
  • Movement Example: pull up crunch.
  • Muscles Used: transverse abdominals, rectus abdominals, internal and external oblique, serratus anterior.

Lower Back:

  • Working with the upper back and core, the lower back muscles play a huge part in your entire body’s functions, attaching to the hips and abdominals. They help hold up the spine and gluteal muscles. Having strong and healthy back muscles allows you to have better control in and out of moves, perform backbends, and have good posture.
  • Movement Example: bridge.
  • Muscles Used: erector spinae, latissimus dorsi, obliques.

Lower Body (Hips & Bottom):

  • Your hips and bottom comprise many muscles that will help you in pole and aerial. For any split, fan kick or leg extension, you need your gluteal muscles, hip flexors and surrounding muscles. It is essential to work all equally to avoid injury and overdevelopment.
  • Movement Example: fan kick.
  • Muscles Used: hip flexor (psoas major and minor, Iliacus), glutes, hamstring.

Legs:

  • Your legs play a big part in your posture and lines; by engaging your quads and calves, your legs will straighten, allowing your foot to point and flex when needed. It is vital to stretch your leg muscles to build flexibility. 
  • Movement Example: splits.
  • Muscles Used: quadriceps, calves, hamstring.
Original Article: Health Wellbeing Magazine 17th January 2023

5 Signs You Need to Take a Mental Health Day.

Perhaps nowhere more often do people tend to ‘put on a brave face’ than in the workplace. This might be because you’re a private person, you don’t want your boss to think you’re not doing your job effectively, or you use work as a distraction from your dwindling mental health state.

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For your eyes only…

For strictly limited availability...

We at PPF look forward to our annual only Black Friday specials.

These are 1 time only offers to grab a bargain. Typically these offers are for members only but to give you a sample of our great services and the amazing community that we have at the studios, enjoy these at such a bargain you cannot miss out. You must use the code (If applicable) at time of purchase. No mistakes will be rectified.

Pilates Reformer 1-2-1: 

Extremely limited availability!

Clinical Pilates is a 1-2-1 session specifically with the Pilates Reformer & is advisable if you are recovering from an injury or for those experienced in Pilates that want that extra challenge.  This specialised & focused support is an invaluable investment in enabling yourself to be pushed to your own ability. This session is on a 1-2-1 basis to boost confidence prior to returning to group fitness sessions.

Use coupon BF21 when booking. Usual cancellation policy applies (12 hours) – ask if you are not sure.

NOW FULL!

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For Newbies to our studios…

Perfect Block of 10: 

The perfect option if you are not sure on diving into the deep end of becoming a member.

This block is valid for any 10 sessions on our schedule. The block begins on the date of the first registration. Valid for 6 weeks. No limits on weekly use of classes. No refund or transfers and usual T’s & C’s apply.

We only have 10 of these available as we are a members only studio and almost at studio capacity. Take advantage before its too late!

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For our VIP's...

Want to catch up on sessions? Repeat your favourite Hybrid sessions and have on demand access to them?

Well wait no more…

  • Perfect Fitness On Demand: A collection of our hybrid sessions, typically Pilates and Stretch & Flex, does inc many more. If we have completed as a hybrid you will see it here. Almost 100 filmed sessions.

Monthly access to our most popular virtual sessions, this is updated every month with our latest videos and you have access to your full library for the duration of your subscription. Members and participants get access to their sessions for 7 days, however now VOD allows you to have unlimited access to our whole library and which is building every month with new content that you can access whenever and however often you wish.  Reduced for members – contact Jane for your membership code.  

Perfect VOD

Platinum VIP Membership.

Only 1 of its kind!

Available just once a year GRAB THIS BARGAIN! Our RARE and UNIQUE subscription that includes our Boutique and Traditional Group fitness sessions per month and Pole or Aerial Credits per month (Subject to typical T’s & C’s), it is the ultimate membership that we offer once a year – that is it.

You will have the ultimate 48 class credits per month to use for the endless class options on our timetable, both LIVE and Virtual.

  • 1 year access to our Video On Demand service.
  • As a studio member you will also be entitled to 50% off Sports Therapy sessions.
  • 50% off Internal Workshops held by our amazing Instructors.
  • In addition as a VIP you will get 50% off any additional class credit sessions (should you need them).

It is deemed your choice to attend as much or as little as you wish and therefore we do not accept responsibility for your usage. Subscriptions that have a set numbered limit of classes/sessions or credits per calendar month will not be rolled over if not used within that calendar month unless will no exception for this subscription. 

Specific T’s & C’s:

It is a 1 off strictly non refundable payment at the start of the 12 months, does not roll over, cannot be put on hold for any reason / cannot be extended. Late cancellation of session still looses credit &  No Show fee still applies if you do not cancel your sessions. Term start and end date is started from date of purchase. Current members CONTACT Jane to organise your upgrade.

If thats not tempting enough…

Here’s another £250 off!!! Please apply code (BlackMagic250) on purchase, mistakes will not be rectified.

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