To tell a new business that it must effectively shut up shop after just 8 months is a low blow in any circumstance. But to also tell the business owners to go into lockdown for 3 months is a challenge, to say the least.
Rising to the task, Paul and Louise O’Connell, joint founders of Bridge Health and Wellbeing in Christchurch, took stock and worked out what they needed to do to carry on delivering physiotherapy, Pilates and other exercises classes in Dorset. Like many of us, Zoom became their best friend and they discovered a whole new way of working.
Four months later, the business is starting to feel really positive again and look to the future. Their health and wellbeing clinic on Bridge Street in Christchurch, Dorset re-opened in mid-June for physiotherapy appointments. Sports massage is starting this week and face-to-face Pilates classes can start from 25th July on a 1-2-1 and 2-2-1 basis.
During the lockdown, as health and wellbeing experts, Paul and Louise noticed some common trends. Paul O’Connell comments: “With less time spent at work or commuting, many people have embraced the opportunity to be far more active than usual. This is something which, of course, we would never ever discourage. However, this has meant that the incidence of overuse injuries has gone up. When you suddenly increase your activity level your body needs time to adapt. If you repetitively keep doing more and more, you can overload the body causing things like Tendinopathy’s and stress fractures.
On the flip side, some people have struggled to find time for any exercise with no 5 aside footie to go to after work, or no going to the gym. As they are doing less activity, less sport and less socialising, they are getting niggles, aches and pains as a result.
Although there isn’t a one size fits all solution, both of these groups can benefit from similar activities, such as having a regular daily routine with a structure to your day or training programme. Make incremental increases in activity or load to give your body time to adapt. Take regular breaks from sitting at the laptop. People working from home still need support and being more productive, not working more hours, should be the priority.”
Bridge Health & Wellbeing are certainly not operating as business as usual yet. But they are on the road to get there. Welcoming patients back through the door for physiotherapy treatment was a major milestone. Seeing patients return for sports massage and small group Pilates classes will be the next step. They continue to follow all the government and Chartered Society of Physiotherapy guidelines, including screening patients and using PPE. Whilst they may look a little different, their level of service and focus on wellbeing remains the same.
To book your physiotherapy, sports massage appointment, Pilates or Yoga class contact Bridge Health & Wellbeing on 01202 473800 or visit http://www.bridgehw.com