edvossphysio

This patient has had months of tendon pain in the foot.

We have tried everything that I'd usually expect to be effective but nothing seems to have worked so far.

So I've resorted to a technique I've not used in quite some time to see if we can have a bit of a reset to get on top of the pain.

Made me think that life can sometimes be like this.

Sometimes we just need to take a step back, reassess, offload then move on.

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Today I'm visiting London for a marketing conference to try to work out how to grow my business.

What I am also realising is that I also need to work out what I want to grow it into.

I've always been ambitious as a physio, striving to be the best clinician I can be, and dare I say it, I want to be a better clinician than anyone else.

But I have absolutely no idea how to grow a business and absolutely cannot do it alone.

Listening to speaking this morning is both overwhelming and inspiring in equal measure.

A quote I read this week was 'a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step'.

I think I'm a few steps along the way but there looks to be a long road ahead.

Wish me luck!

(Sorry about the terrible picture, Paul. Need a better camera from the back row!)

It was a pleasure to present a talk to an incredibly engaged and enthusiastic ladies section at this morning. 

MGC boasts one of the biggest ladies memberships in the UK and those in attendance were really tuned in to the benefits of physical preparation for reducing injury risk and improving performance on the golf course. 

With such a friendly and welcome atmosphere I'm sure the MGC ladies will continue to thrive. 

Thanks for hosting me.

Getting ready for my first 'Running Resilience ' class at gym in Stroud.

This is something that's been floating around my head for months now so it's great to finally get it off the ground.

Applying what I've learnt over the past 5 years, particularly from and to a running population.

Improving performance, reducing injury risk, and providing some education to improve people's understanding of the body 💪🏃🔥

It's been a year since I officially opened the door to my home clinic.

People tell you starting a business is tough, and my goodness they're not wrong. 

It's taken me a year to even start to get my head round building a website, SEO, advertising and marketing, the patient pathway, accounting, let alone just working out just exactly what it is I am aiming to do.

And this is all from a standing start with no experience and minimal resources. 

But thanks to the support and encouragement of a special few people I finally feel like I'm starting to build a little momentum.

There are some really tough times, as I discussed with my wife yesterday, not helped by having probably unnecessarily high expectations of myself. 

But the buzz of getting new patients booking in off the back of recommendations is starting to occur more regularly and the slog seems to be starting to be worth it. 

Hoping the next 12 months continues to bring more growth, learning and development not only as a physio but as a small business owner.

Took the new daps out for a spin this morning.

Superiors. Zero drop trail runners, nice wide toe box.

Now, I'm not not particularly on one side of the fence or the other on the bare foot/minimalist trainers argument.

But like my brain, I like options.

And like in any other sport or activity I like to improve so I'm going through a bit of an experimental phase.

I've read a lot, I've spoken to coaches and now I'm doing some learning by doing.

And part of that is building a bit of a quiver of trainers - different shoes for different needs.

Does anyone else like to experiment or do you live by 'if it ain't broke?'

What should your maximum heart rate be?

At uni we were always taught the equation of 220 minus your age and this is still widely quoted online, which would make mine 180bpm.

Here is my heart rate data from a very tough 2 hour run on Sunday, and as you can see my average rate is pretty much what my max should be, if we believe that equation

So should I be worried? Should I stop running?

Yes, I was pushing myself but I felt good and I recovered fast.

All I want to demonstrate here is our understanding of the body is constantly evolving.

And sometimes having access to so much data can sometimes be unnecessary concerning.

And finally that we are all different, and the body can do some amazing and unexpected things.

Maybe it's time we focussed less on data, and more on feel.

What's the average 5km time for a trail runner?

Who cares?!?

Has the most fun racing I've ever had today at the Dursley Dozen.

12 miles. 2000ft of climbing. More mud than you could shake a stick at. Certainly enough to lose many sticks in!

I'm working hard this year to be less focussed on times and more focussed on enjoying my running. I'd highly recommend it!

I don't do new years resolutions but I do set objectives at the start of the year.

One of those objectives was to be consistent with my exercise habits, for my own benefit but also because I talk to patients daily about the power of habits so I need to practice what I preach.

When I woke this morning I felt exhausted - not the start to the year I was after. It was pouring with rain and so I decided against my usual pre work run.

When I got back from work I had a small window so I grabbed a quick session. It wasn't much but it was better than nothing.

It would have been easy to skip it but felt much better to at least get something in, no matter the distance.

Goals are achieved with consistency, commitment and time. With those three ingredients you can achieve anything.

Do you set resolutions, objectives, or neither?

People can do incredible things

Last week I spebt 48 hours crewing for at the inaugural Winter Downs 200, run by .

My job is usually to get my clients to the start line, but here I also had the chance to help get them over the finish line.

To complete a 200 mile race takes a superhuman level of physical and mental resolve, something Sabs has by the bucket load.

My main part was really played at mile 130, when Sabs arrived with acute lateral shin pain. Suspecting a stress fracture or acute tendinopathy that pain killers weren't touching and was threatening to end the race prematurely, I strapped the leg to offload the muscle attachment.

It would either work, or it wouldn't, in which case we might be having a difficult conversation at the next check point.

20 miles later and Sabs was moving much better with the leg pain under control.

But to get over the line Sabs had to go to places mentally that I could only imagine. She had to keep going when the body and mind were screaming to stop.

After 86 hours on her poor feet, she made it over the line and to have played a small role in getting her there is one of the proudest moments of my career to date.

So what have been my takeaways from the experience?

1. People are capable of superhuman feats, but to achieve success we all need a little help.

2. Having a crew of capable people you can trust, and who you can be at your most vulnerable with is essential.

3. Having the will and determination to continue with your race, even when everything is telling you to give up is a special skill and seeing it in action is inspirational.

4. Life is an adventure, and whilst pushing your boundaries can feel a little daunting the rewards are totally worth it.

It's not always something nasty!

This 40 year old mountain biker came in with pain on the inside of his lower thigh when he rode. No trauma. No injury. But a big, solid, palpable lump at the end of his femur. 

It's often human nature to go straight to the worst case scenario and think a lump is something serious. Maybe a tumour. And this can be really frightening. 

However, remember that the body is really complex, and it does some weird stuff at times. 

An x-ray showed an osteochondroma, which was rubbing on and irritating a tendon every time he bent and straightened his knee on the bike.

It was removed, he got back on his bike and on with his life. 

It's always worth getting anything out of the ordinary checked out, but often it'll be nothing to worry about. 

 

This is the time!

If like me you don't get out to play so much through the winter then how else can you use that time?

Sort out any ni**les or injuries, work out what your objectives are for your golf and your fitness, then get to work!

If you want to discuss getting yourself in top physical condition in time for the spring, DM me for a chat.

Change Takes Time!

I've not previously done a prolonged period of resistance training, as I'm sure you can tell. But three months ago my wife and I started doing some regular strength training at home. 

You will see from the picture, not much has changed as far as appearance is concerned, and that's because...change takes TIME. And it takes CONSISTENCY. And it takes COMMITTMENT. 

 Having said not much has changed, when we started I was bicep curling 5kg dumbbells, and now I'm curling 9s.

When we started I could only do 3 sets of 5 push ups comfortably without losing form, now it's 3 sets of 15. 

So whilst I may not look any different, I've made significant improvements in strength, and how I feel in myself. 

I don't think we need to do huge amounts of exercises or do anything particularly complicated if we want to improve. But what we do need to do is something we can stick with and to turn up and do the work consistently over months and years. 

If you can tick that box, you will achieve. 

And if you've read this far, sorry for exposing you to the above images!

Settling down to watch my client, the amazing in SurvivorUK this evening.

It's a privilege to work with an athlete of Sabrina's calibre. The determination and dedication she has to achieving her goals are an inspiration, both with regards to her ultra running and the numerous other interests she persues.

Good luck Sabs. You're gonna smash it!

Settling down to watch my client, the amazing in this evening.

It's a privilege to work with an athlete of Sabrina's calibre. The determination and dedication she has to achieving her goals are an inspiration, both with regards to her ultra running and the numerous other interests she persues.

Good luck Sabs. You're gonna smash it!

After a year of trying to make it work, today was my last day running my own clinic at Ogbourne Downs Golf Club. Sadly the interest simply wasn't there to make it a financially viable option to continue to pursue.

I was meant to finish by presenting a talk of golf injuries and prevention, but sadly nobody turned up! When you can't even give it away for free then I think it's time to stop.

As I drove away I was feeling really despondent. On reflection however, I have to see this as a stepping stone. When trying to set up a business with no experience, you have to fail to learn.

I've loved working within a golf club, and those people I treated and spoke with at ODGC were incredibly friendly and welcoming, and for that I'm incredibly grateful.

By finishing with this venture, it has opened up the opportunity for me to plough more time and energy into SwingFit and my home clinic.

We do not win or lose. We win or learn.

Onwards and upwards

Warm up with a view. When I first started using resistance bands to warm up before we played, my golf buddies gave me a certain amount of ribbing. Once I explained the benefits of increased carry with the driver and improved centredness of strike, they're all on it. If you'd like a free video on effective warm up for golf head over to www.swing-fit.co.uk and sign up to our news letter.

What a day. I didn't quite get the run or the time that I was hoping for, but then not every run can be your best. However, the unrelenting support from start to finish, the atmosphere, the unbelievable turnout even on a rainy Sunday morning is something I will never forget.
Thanks for all the support I've received, it got me over the finish line and it raised £1500 for charity. Now for wine.

8 months ago I couldn't run due to injury. Tomorrow I'm aiming for a sub 4 hour marathon. The only way I've made it to the start line in good shape is through consistency and good habits. Tomorrow will be more about adrenaline and determination. Best of luck to anyone running tomorrow, go well.


https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/ed-voss1

Great to get some feedback from another happy golfer at Ogbourne Downs Golf Club

It's been about 3 years in the making but I finally have my home treatment space open for business.

If you are looking for top quality sports physio in the Stroud area drop me a DM.

Delighted to have finally finished the work on my treatment room and am now open for business in Stroud. If you would like an appointment then drop me an email - [email protected]

Great to get some feedback from one of my first clients at the new clinic.

I'm available on Thursdays at Ogbourne Downs Golf Club. Drop me a message to get an appointment booked.

Great to do some work with pro Theo Hall at the beautiful Ogbourne Downs Golf Club this morning. He's been getting on great with the SwingFit programme but we all get the odd ni**le from time to time.
This is a great time of year to get any injuries, aches or pains sorted ahead of the start of the season.