When you have been unwell, sitting in a comfortable chair can feel like a major achievement. After days in hospital or bed, simply getting out of bed and sitting in the living room can feel like a big step forward. Chairs are not the problem — the problem is spending most of the day sitting and rarely getting up. For someone recovering from illness, sitting out of bed is an important part of recovery. It gets the body upright, provides an opportunity to eat and drink normally

When we are unwell, bed can be exactly where we need to be. Rest gives the body time to recover while it fights an infection, virus or other illness, and sleep is an important part of recovery. There are also many situations where a person may need to remain in bed for medical reasons. The problem comes when we are medically well enough to get up, but continue spending most of the day in bed. For older people especially, prolonged inactivity can quickly lead to weakness, loss

We breathe all day, every day, usually without even thinking about it. Breathing is something our bodies do automatically, but when we become unwell, less active, anxious or develop a respiratory condition, our breathing can change. We may start breathing faster, taking larger breaths, using the muscles around our neck and shoulders more, or becoming increasingly aware of every breath. For someone experiencing breathlessness, this can become a frustrating cycle of breathlessn

Getting older doesn't mean that you have to accept becoming weaker, less mobile or less independent. In fact, staying physically active is one of the most important things you can do to help maintain your strength, balance, mobility and confidence as you age. And exercise doesn't have to mean going to the gym or completing a hard workout. You can exercise from your living room, using a sturdy chair. You can try chair yoga, Pilates, Tai Chi or Qigong. You can go for a walk, jo

Understanding persistent pain and how you can take back control Living with pain for weeks, months or even years can be exhausting. It can affect your sleep, work, relationships, hobbies, confidence and ability to do the things you enjoy. You may have had X-rays, scans, injections, medication or physiotherapy. Perhaps you have been told that you have arthritis, a disc problem, "wear and tear" or an old injury. Sometimes there is a clear physical reason for pain, while at othe

Staying active is about much more than exercise When we talk about keeping active as we get older, it is easy to think purely about fitness. Getting stronger. Improving your balance. Walking further. Keeping your heart healthy. Maintaining your mobility. All of these things are important. But there is another part of staying active that can be just as important — staying connected to other people and remaining part of your community. Going for a walk with someone can mean mor

A practical guide to getting the home ready, arranging support and helping Dad recover safely and independently Bringing your dad home from hospital can be a hugely positive moment. After days or weeks in hospital, there is something wonderful about being back in your own home, sleeping in your own bed and being surrounded by familiar things. But getting home can also be surprisingly exhausting. The journey home, getting dressed, transferring into a car, walking through the f

A practical guide for families helping an older parent settle safely back at home after a hospital stay Bringing your mum home from hospital can be a hugely positive moment. After days or weeks in hospital, there is something wonderful about being back in your own home, sleeping in your own bed and being surrounded by familiar things. But getting home can also be surprisingly exhausting. The journey home, getting dressed, transferring into a car, walking through the front doo

An avulsion fracture occurs when a tendon or ligament pulls so forcefully on a bone that it tears away a small fragment of the bone. These injuries commonly occur during sports, falls, or sudden twisting movements and are often mistaken for severe sprains. Although hearing the word fracture can sound alarming, the good news is that most avulsion fractures heal well without surgery when diagnosed early and managed appropriately. Physiotherapy often plays a key role in restorin

When people think about physiotherapy, they often picture travelling to a clinic, sitting in a waiting room and attending an appointment. For many people, that's perfectly manageable. But for others, it's one of the biggest barriers to recovery. After more than 20 years working as a physiotherapist in hospitals, community rehabilitation and patients' homes, I saw first-hand how difficult it could be for people to access the rehabilitation they needed. Patients recovering from

If you've recently been told you have hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (hEDS), or you've lived with it for years, you may have experienced a mixture of relief and frustration. Relief because someone has finally given a name to what you've been experiencing. Frustration because, after finally getting a diagnosis, you may have been left wondering, "What do I actually do now?" Many people tell me they have spent years feeling as though they weren't believed. Blood tests are no

Returning home after a hospital stay is an important milestone, but a little preparation beforehand can make the transition much smoother and safer. Whether you're preparing for your own discharge or helping a family member, taking time to plan ahead can reduce stress, lower the risk of falls and help recovery get off to the best possible start. Use this checklist before discharge to make sure everything is ready. The Home Environment ☐ Remove unnecessary clutter from walkway

Leaving hospital is often a milestone worth celebrating, but returning home can also feel overwhelming. Even after a relatively short hospital stay, many people find that everyday tasks require more effort than they expected. It's common to wonder, "How soon should I start physiotherapy?" The answer is that there is no one-size-fits-all approach. Recovery should always be tailored to the individual, but in many cases, starting physiotherapy within the first week after returni

If you're considering private physiotherapy, choosing the right physiotherapist can feel overwhelming. A quick internet search reveals dozens of clinics and practitioners, all offering similar services. So how do you know who is right for you? The answer depends on your individual needs. Some people benefit most from attending a clinic, while others are better served by treatment in their own home. Understanding the differences can help you make an informed decision. Make Sur

A pelvic fracture is a significant injury that can understandably leave people feeling anxious about moving. Many patients ask the same question: "If my pelvis is broken, won't walking make it worse?" It's a perfectly reasonable concern. The answer is often reassuring. Many pelvic fractures are stable injuries, and once your orthopaedic consultant has assessed the fracture, most people are encouraged to begin walking with an appropriate walking aid as soon as it is safe to do

A broken rib can be an extremely painful injury. Even simple activities such as breathing deeply, coughing, laughing, rolling over in bed or getting dressed can become uncomfortable. Although rib fractures are painful, the good news is that most heal very well without surgery, and the pain gradually improves over the following weeks. Understanding your injury and knowing how to manage it can make recovery much easier. What are the ribs? Your rib cage is made up of 12 pairs of

A broken collar bone (clavicle) is one of the most common fractures, particularly following a fall onto the shoulder, a cycling accident, or sporting injury. Although most people make an excellent recovery, many are surprised by how stiff and weak the shoulder can become during the healing process. The good news is that, with the right advice and appropriate rehabilitation, most people regain excellent function. What is the collar bone? The collar bone, or clavicle, is the lo

Same people. Same values. A fresh new look. If you've visited our website recently or seen us on social media, you may have noticed that Physio at Home has a brand-new logo and updated branding. As our business continues to grow across Mid Cornwall, we felt it was the right time to refresh our visual identity to better reflect who we are today and where we're heading in the future. Looking Back When I first started the business, our original logo represented the beginning of

A Physiotherapist's Guide to Understanding and Managing Lower Back Arthritis Introduction If you've recently been told you have arthritis in your lower back, you're probably feeling worried. Perhaps you've had an X-ray or MRI scan that mentions terms such as degeneration, wear and tear, disc bulge, facet joint arthritis or lumbar spondylosis. These words can sound frightening and understandably leave many people thinking their back is damaged or that life is only going to get

A Physiotherapist's Guide to Understanding and Managing Neck Arthritis Introduction If you've recently been told you have arthritis in your neck, you've probably got lots of questions. You may have had an X-ray or MRI scan that mentions terms such as degeneration, wear and tear, disc bulge, bone spurs or cervical spondylosis. These words can sound frightening and understandably make many people think their neck is damaged or that things will only get worse. The first thing I'