Meet the Team
Physiotherapists for private treatment in Kendal, Cumbria and Lancashire
Gavin Thomas
What are Gavin's qualifications?
Gavin is an HPC registered physiotherapist. This means he has a degree in Physiotherapy (A first class honours degree from the University of Manchester School of Physiotherapy, awarded in 1996) and has maintained his professional knowledge and skills through regular training and development, including a post graduate diploma in Sport & Exercise Medicine from University of Wales Institute Cardiff & University of Wales College of Medicine, completed in 2004. Over the years, he has also attended courses which have given him the skills to treat patients with manual therapy, massage, tape and through movement and exercise. Gavin also has extensive experience in biomechanical analysis.
What experience does Gavin have?
Gavin's background is in musculoskeletal medicine and rehabilitation and he has worked in NHS out-patient clinics, in GP practices and in the community. Outside of the NHS, Gavin has worked in professional sport, in higher education and for a charity.
Gavin has a special interest in the treatment of cyclists and cycling injuries. Between 1998 and 2006 he worked for British Cycling, initially as one of the team physiotherapists and from 2002 as the lead physio. Work with the men's and women's road, track and mountain bike disciplines focused on injury management and prevention through optimizing core strength, flexibility and riding position as well as pre and post ride massage. Gavin travelled with the squads to all the major championships during this period, including the Commonwealth Games in Manchester in 2002 and Melbourne in 2006 as well as the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens.
Gavin understands cycling injuries not just as a physiotherapist but also as a rider, riding about 8000 miles a year and regularly competing in local events.
Before training as a physiotherapist Gavin taught outdoor education and science and his involvement in education has continued. He has taught concepts of physiotherapy and rehabilitation at The University of Central Lancashire, Salford University and The University of Wales College Cardiff, and for the South Cumbria GP Training Scheme. In 2009 Gavin spent a year working as a research physiotherapist at the University of Central Lancashire evaluating the biomechanics at the knee during rehabilitative squatting exercises. The findings from this work were presented at the International Symposium in Sport, Measurement and Simulation in Poitiers in 2011.
What patient groups has Gavin worked with?
Gavin has worked with a very broad spectrum of patients including:
- Individuals suffering with musculoskeletal dysfunction, recovering from injury and after surgery, including elite athletes (GB Cycling, GB Squash, GB Track and Field Athletes).
- Older people with chronic spinal and joint conditions and with long term health problems (chronic lung conditions, after a stroke, Parkinson's disease), impaired balance, reduced mobility and after surgery or illness.
- Specific occupational groups (fire fighters and prison officers) with occupationally related conditions, including post traumatic stress syndrome.
What are Gavin's areas of interest?
Gavin's first love is cycling and this extends into his physiotherapy practice. He has a specialist bike fitting and treatment service for cyclists called “Lifecycle”. Lifecycle is equally interested in treating both recreational and competitive cyclists and triathletes and aims to help riders of all disciplines and standards get the most out of riding their bikes without any aches and pains.
Gavin believes that cycle injury prevention and bike fit is a fusion of science and art – “physics and physio” and knows that the best outcomes are achieved when the cyclist develops a deeper understanding of the relationship between their body and the bike's geometry and handling. He uses motion analysis / video feedback to evaluate body posture on the bike and highlights the impact of making changes to the bike on rider position and proficiency. He also believes that how the bike is ridden, the “rider's style”, should be addressed and uses drills completed both on and off the bike to assist in improving these aspects.
Beyond cycling, Gavin is particularly interested in functional rehabilitation. This means focusing on optimising function and enabling patients to achieve their aims rather than only focusing on “getting better”. This is particularly important when working with clients who have chronic injuries and conditions.
How does Gavin work?
Movement is the key to Gavin's practice. Optimising movement patterns and structured progressive exercises carried out within the “safe zone” helps to recondition painful structures and in time promotes better overall function. "Hands – on" techniques (mobilisation, massage and stretching) are used to compliment this where required.
What else might be interesting?
Gavin has always enjoyed the outdoors; mountaineering, rock climbing and fell running compete with cycling for his time. He has climbed in the European alps, Norway and Indian Himalayas and is a competitive fell runner. He lives in Levens with his very supportive wife, teenage daughter and their mad Sprollie (Springer/Collie cross) called Willow.
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