MiaBailey

I’m a keen recreational runner, and as much as I love running, it has certainly come with its fair share of injuries! I’ve personally experienced plantar fasciitis, multiple stress fractures and a hamstring tear. Going through the rehabilitation process with each of these injuries has given me a firsthand appreciation of the physical and mental challenges that can come with being injured, particularly when it means having to step back from something you love. It’s also given me a real insight into the importance of having a good understanding of your injury, setting realistic goals and following a structured rehabilitation plan. These experiences have fuelled my passion for sports-specific rehabilitation, particularly running-related injuries. I love helping people navigate their recovery, build strength and confidence, and ultimately get back to doing the activities they enjoy, whether that’s running their next race or simply getting out for a pain-free jog.

I think university provided a really valuable foundation in understanding anatomy, physiology, biomechanics and the theory behind injury and rehabilitation. However, I think there was a gap between learning the theory and knowing how to confidently apply it in a real clinical setting. I would have loved more emphasis on developing practical, hands-on skills and learning different treatment techniques, as well as a much greater focus on exercise prescription and rehabilitation programming. We touched on these areas, but I don’t think there was enough opportunity to develop the skills needed to confidently assess an injury, develop an individualised rehabilitation plan and progress someone through each stage of their recovery.

Without a doubt, it’s the people. I’ve had the opportunity to learn so much from John and Jack, and working alongside them has really challenged me to keep developing as a clinician. They’ve helped take my clinical reasoning, hands-on treatment skills and rehabilitation programming to the next level, while encouraging me to continually question, learn and refine my approach.

One of the things I love most about MAD is that everyone brings something different to the table. Each clinician has their own areas of interest and expertise, which creates such a great environment to learn from one another, share ideas and collaborate as a team to give our clients the best support we can.

I also genuinely love the clientele we work with. We see so many passionate, motivated and driven people who are eager to get back to the sports and activities they love. Being able to work alongside them, help them navigate their rehabilitation and see them achieve their goals is incredibly rewarding.

I think patients would be surprised by how much work happens behind the scenes. There’s a lot of planning and preparation that goes into each appointment, and just as much work afterwards. Between writing notes, updating programs, writing letters and planning future sessions, we actually spend a lot of time on our laptops.

I try to understand the bigger picture, not just the injury. What else is going on in their life that might be impacting their recovery? What does getting back to their normal look like for them, and how important is the timeframe? I also listen to what they want and expect from their appointments, so I can make sure I’m providing the right support and working towards goals that are important to them.

When I first started, I think I was much more focused on the specific area of pain and treating what was directly in front of me. Now, I take a much broader approach and look further up and down the kinetic chain, considering how the whole body might be contributing to the issue. I’ve learnt to look at the bigger picture rather than just focusing on the site of pain.

I think one of the most underrated skills in physiotherapy is being able to connect with people and build rapport. Obviously, having the clinical knowledge and hands-on skills is important, but being able to make someone feel comfortable and build a level of trust is just as valuable. Everyone who walks through the door is different, with their own goals, personalities and experiences with injury. I think taking the time to get to know people, understand what motivates them and make them feel heard goes a long way. I think that connection is what helps create a positive rehab experience and gets people invested in their recovery.

Honestly, it depends on what time I finish work! If I have an early finish, you’ll usually find me out for a run, making the most of the sunshine. If it’s a later finish, I’ll generally head home, switch off and watch an episode or two of whatever I’m currently working my way through. At the moment, that’s The Sopranos. I’m still pretty early on, but so far I’d give it a 7/10. Good viewing, but not quite on the same level as Breaking Bad.

This is my perfect day and quite literally what I obsessively plan my weekends around: a nice little sleep-in (8am), a long run with a friend followed by coffee (skinny latte), then straight to the beach to lie in the sand and read a good book. To finish the day, Aperols in the late afternoon sun with my closest mates.

I’m definitely someone who loves to chat, so there’s never usually a shortage of conversation in my treatment room. But I also really care about my patients and their progress. I care if you’re not improving, if you’re still in pain, and I genuinely want to help. If things aren’t progressing, I’m invested in figuring out why and what else we can do to help.

I’d remind myself that you don’t need to have all the answers. The human body is complex, and you’ll never know everything. Focus on developing your clinical reasoning and learning how to investigate, assess and work through a problem. Never be afraid to ask questions or seek a second opinion. There is so much to learn from the people around you, and every experience helps you grow as a clinician.