Physiotherapy & Pilates, Mrs CA - Norwich

 

Since February 2001 I had been suffering acute pain in my right leg and lower back.  Over the years I had received weekly chiropractic treatment, paid regular visits to my GP and had been told by both I had a lower back problem despite my continued explanations that I had severe leg pain.  I progressively deteriorated until Christmas 2007 when I returned to my GPs room in agony.  By this time I was taking up to 16 ibuprofen tablets a day which only took the edge off the pain, my mobility was severely restricted, I had a bad limp and was constantly exhausted.  I was prescribed strong pain killers and referred for an x-ray which revealed severe osteoarthritis in my right hip.  My GP told me that it was too bad to do anything about other than a hip replacement but I was too young to be considered for such an op, I would have to be at least 10 years older or in a wheel chair.  However, in reading it became clear that it is possible for the under-40s to have such ops and so I went back to my GP and asked to be referred to a consultant.  My appointment came through for August 2008 and within 5 minutes of being with Mr Nolan he was saying he would happily replace my hip and that I should be pain free and limp free. 

 

I read up more and came to the conclusion that despite my obvious physical limitations the better physically prepared I went into the op the easier I would make the work of my surgeon and therefore the better my prognosis after.  So I started making enquiries of physiotherapists in Norwich but they really only wanted to see me post-op and for maybe one or two sessions to back up the physiotherapy I would receive at the hospital.  This was not what I wanted – I wanted someone pro-active who would think in the long term as well as the short and this is what I found in Hannah.  The first time we met I suspect she saw a broken, middle-aged woman desperate for hope and answers.  I came out from that first meeting inspired, positive and feeling that I was finally going to be in control of my own body.  Hannah has the benefit of assessing her patients from three perspectives:  physiotherapy, pilates and sports massage.  When with Hannah and seeking her advice seemingly insurmountable problems become manageable and with self-resolution.  For example, I had been suffering considerable pain in my right knee and was scared that the osteoarthritis had spread.  However, in the space of an hour Hannah had explained the physiology of the problem, treated me intensely and given me ideas of how to continue this treatment for myself.  Within 10 days the pain had gone.

 

The main aim of my first weeks with Hannah was to prepare for my op, physically and mentally, and to be educated as to how I would be in the short, medium and long term and what I could do to aid my own recovery.  I cannot thank her enough for her enthusiasm, positive affirmation, humour, guidance and friendship as well as exemplary treatment.  She made everything seem possible.  Here for the first time, other than my consultant, I was with a medical professional who actually listened to me, heard what I was saying and treated me accordingly.  Because of the skill of Hannah and Mr Nolan within 5 days of my op I was only using a stick outside, returned to work a month earlier than expected and found the whole process instructive and enlightening.  Six months on I am biking, walking, doing regular pilates and am, as promised, pain and limp free.  My life has changed beyond all recognition.  I continue to see Hannah weekly for assessment but predominately we meet for pilates and massage and I value this time with her immensely.  She is a gifted practitioner, she has neither ego nor agenda – her patients care is her only concern,her care of them is superb, she listens and believes in the power of each of us to make our own recovery.  I count myself very lucky to have found her when I needed her most. 

 

Mrs CA (PA to the Archdeacon of Norwich)