Treatments & Services...

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When somebody is affected by a health condition or an injury, Physiotherapy aims to reduce the pain and symptoms of the problematic area and helps to restore movement and function of the body. In simple terms, a Physiotherapist is a mechanic for the human body! At Mav Movements, we have several methods which we use to achieve this, including:

- Soft tissue techniques

- Deep tissue release / Trigger point release

- Manual therapy (this includes using methods to mobilise and manipulate your joints or spine)

- Exercise and rehabilitation 

- One-to-one Pilates 

- Taping

- Acupuncture

- Posture Education

- Ergonomics advice 

- Electrotherapy 

Mav Movements maintains health for people of all ages and ailments. Whether you are an athlete with a muscle strain, or if you struggle to walk due to painful arthritic joints, we ensure that we tailor the treatment programme to suit your specific needs. As well as being “hands-on” in your care, we will also empower you with exercises and advice so that you can appropriately manage your symptoms at home. 

Whether you are sitting at a desk, using a computer all day or trying to participate in a new hobby or sport, or even if you are just looking for some maintenance treatment to look after your body, we can help you. At Mav Movements, there are a number of conditions that we see and treat including:

- Neck Pain

- Headaches

- Upper Back Pain

- Low Back Pain

- Sciatica / Referred Pain

- Whiplash Injuries

- Shoulder Pain

- Elbow and Arm Pain

- Hand and Wrist Pain

- Hip Pain

- Knee Pain

- Shin Pain

- Foot and Ankle Pain

- Sports Injuries

- Postural Problems

- Work-related Disorders i.e. Repetitive Strain Injury

- Joint Stiffness

- Pre and Post-operative Rehabilitation

- Balance Issues and Falls

- Paediatric Issues

- Chronic Pain 

- Women’s Health Care

- Strengthening for Optimal Wellbeing

- Exercise Prescription

- Maintenance Treatment for General Wellbeing 

Further self-management advice and exercise for various musculoskeletal injuries/conditions can be found on The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP) website:

• Back pain - CLICK HERE
• Neck pain - CLICK HERE
• Shoulder pain - CLICK HERE
• Arthiritis - CLICK HERE
• Chronic pain - CLICK HERE
• Pregnancy & Pelvic floor - CLICK HERE

Acupuncture is used within Physiotherapy, to assist in the management of pain and inflammation. Our acupuncture treatments are based on Western scientific research and evidence combined with many Eastern principles. There are two different methods within acupuncture:

Conventional Acupuncture involves the use of needles which insert into the skin at specific points. The needles used are a variety of sizes and are designed for single-use only and are pre-sterilised. The Physiotherapist will determine the locations of the acupuncture points, based upon your symptoms. A number of needles may be used at each treatment and the duration of acupuncture can range from 5 to 20 minutes depending on your body’s response.

Trigger Point Acupuncture or ‘Dry Needling’ may be used to facilitate relaxation in specific muscles following trauma or as a means to increase the length of the injured muscle in order to improve stretch and rehabilitation. Here the single-use needle is placed into the affected muscle until it is felt to relax under the needle and then removed. The duration of trigger point needling is much quicker than that of conventional acupuncture and can take 5 to 10 minutes. 

Acupuncture was originally derived from Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), first recorded in the stone age. It was thought that the body has many complex lines of energy and areas called ‘Meridians’. The use of acupuncture following the Eastern theory, is that acupuncture unblocks these Meridians where excess energy has become stagnant, and it enhances energy flow into areas where it is lacking, thus restoring the body’s equilibrium.

There is a wealth of research behind acupuncture for pain relief, however there is no conclusive evidence on exactly HOW it works in Western medicine. It is thought to work in three ways: 

The brain – By inserting a needle into the muscle, the nerves will carry a stimulus along pathways to higher centres within the brain. This ‘nerve communication’ results in a natural chemical response as the brain releases pain-relieving hormones such as endorphins, dopamines and serotonin (our natural ‘feel good chemicals’). This promotes general well-being and has an analgesic effect on the body. The brain also releases a chemical called melatonin which promotes sleep.

The spine – By inserting a needle into an affected area, the nerves of that area will automatically send signals to the part of the spinal cord which is responsible for that particular area. These signals will then block the original pain signals from reaching the same spinal cord segment which causes our body to interpret pain. This is known as the ‘pain-gating theory’, similar to when you rub your toe after you have stubbed it on something. 

Locally - By inserting the needle into a muscle, it increases blood flow to the area of pain and releases chemicals, causing a local inflammatory response. This optimises the injured tissue to heal and allows the body to recover from the injury. 

The sterile single-use needles vary in length from 25mm – 70mm and are usually 0.25-0.30mm in diameter. As the needles are so fine and delicate, they are usually pain free when inserted. When in situ, it is normal to feel a dull, heavy or aching sensation, but this should not be an unpleasant feeling and settles within 24 hours.

If you feel that you have had an adverse reaction from acupuncture then please let your therapist know.

At Mav Movements, acupuncture is used alongside a combination of other treatments. It is often used to reduce pain levels so that the underlying mechanical cause of the problem can then be addressed with hands on techniques, movement re-education and exercises.

Pilates is a popular exercise system which focusses on re-training the body’s correct movement patterns and strengthening both core and global muscles in the body. This is important because pain inhibits our core muscles from working properly and can eventually alter the way which we move and function. These muscles need to be woken up again in order for us to recover properly.

Here at Mav Movements, we offer clinical Physiotherapy-led Pilates and are APPI approved. This means that we have the specialist skill in analysing your movement patterns and tailoring your Pilates programme to best suit your needs taking into account your injury.

We offer mat-work Pilates for:

• Prehab
• Menopause
• Antenatal
• Postnatal
• Stretch & mobilise
• Pelvic floor dysfunction  

Studies show that approximately 94% of the population experience an incidence of low back pain at some point in their lives. Subsequently, the risk of recurrence within 3 – 12 months of low back pain symptoms is high. Pilates aims to strengthen the body’s deep stabilising muscles as well as the global functional muscles, resulting in a significant reduction in the recurrence of low back pain symptoms. 

Pain also has a connection with our emotions and can make us feel negative as there is a close link between our mental and physical health. Pilates aims to restore the body’s positive emotions by incorporating breathing patterns during the exercises which helps us to concentrate on the movement, thus reducing anxiety levels and promoting ‘normal’ pain-free movement in a positive environment.

Pilates is a mind-body exercise approach. As well as changing your movement patterns, helping your posture, reducing pain levels and restoring positive emotions, Pilates helps to change your outlook on a healthy lifestyle. 

Ante & Post-natal Pilates or "Modified Pilates" is when you perform Pilates exercises safely during all trimesters of pregnancy as well as post-partum. 

Modified Pilates is known to provide a number of positive benefits and commonly used in women's health physiotherapy (POGP, 2013). The UK Chief Medical Officers' Physical Activity Guidelines, 2019 recommend that women should aim for atleast 150 minutes of moderate intensity activity every week during and after pregnancy.

The key benefits of modified Pilates for pregnancy include:

• Maintaining pelvic floor muscle strength & preventing incontinence
• Prevents incidence of pelvic girdle pain & lower back pain
• Improves spinal mobility
• Improves pelvic stability
• Improves postural awareness
• Greater movement efficiency
• Maintenance of circulation
• Relaxation
• Preparation for labour

Here at Mav Movements, we provide modified Pilates during ALL stages of pregnancy and post-partum! Exercises are tailor-made to the individual ensuring that you get the most out of your one-to-one guided Pilates programme.

1. Breathing
2. Concentration
3. Control
4. Centering
5. Precision
6. Flow
7. Integrated isolation
8. Routine

Usually Pilates exercises are done on a mat. Special equipment can also be used which your therapist can introduce as appropriate.

Pilates and yoga both develop strength, flexibility, posture and a good breathing technique. The main differences between the two are:

- Pilates exercises are commonly done on the floor throughout the entire session, whereas in Yoga you are required to get on and off the floor more often during the session.

- Yoga aims to improve your range of movement before developing your strength, whilst Pilates focusses on improving range of movement gradually, whilst simultaneously developing your muscle control and strength. 

- Pilates carries out more repetitions per exercises therefore the exercise sessions do not move as swiftly as they do in Yoga. 

We run group Pilates classes as a 6-week programme suitable for all levels and genders. 

We also run private Pilates classes for up to 2 people as a 6 or 12-week programme. These bespoke classes are often specifically designed for menopausal, antenatal, postnatal or back-pain clients.

If you would like to join or enquire further then please WhatsApp message or call us on 07555 489 189. 

 All you need to wear or bring with you is comfortable clothing. Shorts or tracksuit bottoms, and a t-shirt tends to work well.

If you are attending the studio for a group class then you will need a mat, an eyemask, a water bottle and a small towel (wrist weights are optional). Mats are also available to borrow with prior notice.

If you are attending the studio for a 1:1 session then just bring yourselves, a water bottle and an eyemask (if you have one). Everything else will be provided for you!

If you are having online Pilates with us then you will need to have the following in your home:

• Good internet access
• A yoga or Pilates mat
• A flat head cushion or folded towel
• 1-2 foam blocks or cushions
• A resistance band
• Some light-weights/wrist-weights (or tins of beans!)
• A gym ball (for Ante & Post-natal Pilates)

Here at Mav Movements, we offer clinical Physio-led Pilates and we are APPI qualified and approved.

Bringing Physiotherapy to people’s homes, regardless of ailment and age. 

The home visit will begin by the Physiotherapist having a conversation with you taking a detailed history of your symptoms. They will then ask you to have access to a comfortable seating or lying area so that your assessment can be completed just like you would do in the clinic. A diagnosis will then be made and a treatment programme will be started taking into account your treatment goals. All of the diagnoses listed in the 'Physiotherapy' section can be treated during the home visit and all of the above treatments can be given. You can then arrange future appointments so that your treatments can continue.

Whether you are elderly and having mobility issues, or whether you are younger and have a hectic work-life routine, home visits are for anyone and everyone!  This maximises patient comfort and convenience whilst ensuring that our patients receive the same standard of care as they would in the clinic. 

Home visits will last up to 45 minutes.

Our Physiotherapist travels up to 10 minutes in distance each way. The home visit will be at the Physio's discretion depending on their caseload demands and availability at the time of your enquiry.

Home visits start at £55 and can range up to £70. The Physiotherapist will let you know the charge once they have your exact location details.

If you are not local or you are unable to travel then do not worry, we will bring Physiotherapy to YOU! Yes - it is possible to experience fantastic rehabilitation from the comfort of your own homes. The recent virtual Physiotherapy trial and appointments have proven a great success. Head over to our Facebook or Instagram pages to view patient feedback videos. 

Video appointments can take place over WhatsApp video calls.  If you are unable to use WhatsApp then sessions can be organised via an App called Zoom. Zoom is very user-friendly and the Physiotherapy session can be accessed through a link provided on your desktops, Androids and iPhones. 

Details of Zoom GDPR compliance can be found HERE.

More information on using technology, privacy and confidentiality can be found in our FAQ's

There are many!

1. Face-to-face interaction with a qualified Physiotherapist from the comfort of your own home

2. Assessment of your symptoms can be done by:

• Collecting a detailed history just by listening to you
• Completing a physical examination by analysing your movements and asking you to perform certain clinical tests with the Physiotherapist’s verbal instructions, such as testing your own strength . More information can be found in our FAQ's

3. Diagnosis can be made (in most cases a Physiotherapist can formulate a diagnosis based on your history and account of symptoms!)

4. Treatment plan can be provided including:

• Advice
• Education
• Tailored exercise plans

5. Screen-sharing - This clever tool allows you to share the Physiotherapist's computer screen which means you can view images of your exercises/YouTube and Instagram videos of exercises being demonstrated

6. Follow up reviews can be made bi-weekly or weekly

7. Same day appointments can be offered should your symptoms worsen or if you become worried

*Please also note that remote Physiotherapy sessions are supported and guided by our regulatory body, the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP) CLICK HERE.

Yes. Only you should have access to your WhatsApp. Alternatively, only the person who has the invitation link can join the Zoom video call. There is also a ‘waiting room’ on the Zoom app, which means that nobody else can join the Zoom video call unless they are asked to enter!

Your appointment will start off with a chat. The Therapist will listen to your problems and symptoms and take a detailed history, just like a face-to-face session. You will then be asked to perform certain movements and perhaps some clinical tests with the Physiotherapist’s verbal instructions, such as testing your own strength. The therapist will then talk to you about your management, including your exercise programme and welcome any questions.

No. As long as your condition is musculoskeletal (symptoms which involve your muscles, joints, ligaments, nerves or spine), then your Therapist can take a detailed history and give you the most appropriate advice and education. If an exercise programme is relevant then this will be issued too. 

  If you have health insurance with:

- Bupa

- AXA

- Vitality Health

- Aviva

...then the great news is that your sessions may be funded. Speak to your provider for more information.

Yes. You will need WiFi or mobile data in order to complete the Zoom or WhatsApp video call. If you do not have access to the internet then a 10-minute complimentary triage appointment can be completed over the telephone, during which you can discuss options for Physiotherapy if needed. 

Absolutely! You will be given an easy, step-by-step guide from your Therapist over your initial telephone call. Your Physiotherapist can also help you along during your virtual appointment.