Cortex Physiotherapy

02/04/2026

We wanted to share this great event coming up with MS Society Scotland.

It’s a really relaxed, no-pressure session for anyone who’s been newly diagnosed with MS (or waiting on confirmation), or for those supporting someone who has. It’s all about real conversations, practical advice, and helping you make sense of what comes next, at your own pace.

We’re also really proud to say that Dionne, our Clinical Lead, has been asked to be part of the panel for the event. It’s a privilege to be involved and to work alongside such an incredible charity doing amazing things for the MS community.

📅 Monday 1st June
📍 Riverside Hotel, Irvine
⏰ Arrive from 4:30pm (food & refreshments) | Starts 5:15pm

If this sounds like something that could help you or someone close to you, it’s definitely worth coming along.

We’re really looking forward to it and hope to see some of you there 💙

19/03/2026

Our friends at Thistle Help are hosting their upcoming Open Days and it’s a great opportunity to learn more about the mobility equipment and services available to support independence at home.

📅 24th & 25th March
⏰ 10am – 4pm

During the open days you’ll be able to:
• See demonstrations on a wide range of mobility and assisted living equipment
• Learn more about the services available at Thistle Help
• Speak with their knowledgeable team and ask any questions you may have

Offers available on both days and of course… there will be complimentary tea, coffee & biscuits available throughout the day ☕

If you or a family member are looking for ways to improve mobility, comfort or independence at home, this is a great opportunity to explore what’s available.

We’re delighted to highlight the fantastic work the team at Thistle Help do to support people across the community. And you never know... you might even bump into a member of the Cortex Team while you're there 😁.

18/03/2026

⭐ We recently received this lovely Google review, and this video is the result ⭐

"I have an adult son with learning disabilities and epilepsy, who has for many years experienced fluctuating mobility issues and chronic fatigue. This was severe enough to make a wheelchair necessary at times, and ordinary, everyday activity had to be carefully planned to avoid over exertion. A day out could mean several days at home afterwards to recover and it was very difficult to live a 'normal' life.

I contacted Iain and Dionne last year, not really thinking they'd be able to help much, but I felt I ought to try anything possible. From the outset the clinic was a very welcoming place, the assessment was easy to manage and everything was explained very clearly. The first set of exercises my son was given were straightforward, easy to do at home, and didn't take more than ten minutes a day. He's been seeing Dionne regularly for about ten months now and, although the exercises vary each session and his 'homework' changes, it is always easy to follow and doesn't take up a lot of time to do.

The change in my son's capabilities has been extraordinary. He finds every day tasks much easier, which leaves him more energy for days out and new activities. His sensory difficulties have reduced, which in turn has helped reduce fatigue and anxiety. We gradually started doing longer or more challenging activities, having less rest time in-between, and found we were better able to stick to a routine as the random nature of the fatigue reduced so greatly.

We had a very successful camping trip to Loch Ness which involved a lot of walking, and a successful visit to a 4 day music festival where he walked, danced and chatted to random people for hours each day, and still had enough energy to pack away the tent and make several trips to and from the car. Usually we'd spend a lot of time just sitting by the tent and I would leave him sat down somewhere while I packed everything up. Seeing him do it was amazing.

This year, Dionne suggested he had a go at skiing, so we went to the dry slope at Newmilns for a one-to-one lesson. Having never put on a pair of skis in his life, by the end of the hour he was skiing unaided and was keen to have another go. A year prior to this I'd never have even contemplated him doing that. We are now planning a trip to Legoland in Denmark - his first time on a plane - and he's feeling confident about the amount of walking involved and enjoying all the rides!

Obviously after all of that I have nothing but praise for the team at Cortex and the improvements they have achieved. I would happily recommend them to anyone and would suggest a visit even if, like me, you don't think physiotherapy is likely to help much! I was very glad to be wrong about that :)"

14/03/2026

A friend of the Cortex family has recently launched their own beauty, cosmetics & personal care business

If you’re looking for a bit of self-care or just fancy treating yourself to a relaxing massage treatment, be sure to check them out and show them some support.

They’re currently running a wee competition, so lets show them some love... and you never know, there might even be a wee freebie in it for you 😉

13/03/2026

This week, something truly special happened.

For the first time since his fall in 2022, John took steps again.

Many of you will remember John's story from our previous posts. While recovering from a stroke in 2019, John had a fall in 2022 that created a huge additional challenge for his recovery. Following the injury to his knee, John developed extremely high tone in his leg, meaning his muscles were constantly overactive and pulling his knee into a deeply flexed position.

For a long time, this meant his foot couldn’t even reach the floor properly, because his knee remained so bent. On top of that, his knee and leg became incredibly sensitive, to the point where it could barely be touched without causing significant pain, never mind asking him to put weight through it.

So standing and walking again felt like a very distant goal.

More recently, as John prepares for a big orthopedic intervention to surgically straighten his leg, we have worked through gradually reducing the sensitivity, improving his tolerance to movement, and slowly retraining his body to accept weight through the leg again. John has continued to push forward with incredible determination.

And this week, with the support of a pulpit frame and assistance from his therapists, John took his first steps.

To some, it may just look like a few steps in a video. But for John and his family, it represents years of persistence, patience, and refusing to give up when things felt impossible.

Moments like this are why rehabilitation matters. Progress doesn’t always come quickly, but with the right support and a lot of determination, milestones like this can still happen.

John, we couldn’t be prouder of you. This is a huge achievement, and we know this is only the beginning of the next chapter in your recovery.

One step at a time… and this was a very big one. 💙

10/03/2026

🧠 Brain Injury Awareness Month

March is Brain Injury Awareness Month, a time to recognise the millions of people living with the effects of brain injury and to raise awareness of the challenges they face every day.

Brain injuries can happen suddenly, through stroke, trauma, or illness and the impact can be life-changing. Something as simple as walking across a room, getting dressed, or holding a conversation can suddenly become incredibly difficult.

But what many people don’t always see is the strength, resilience, and determination shown by those living with brain injuries. Recovery is often a long journey filled with small steps, setbacks, and incredible moments of progress.

At Cortex Physiotherapy, we have the privilege of working alongside individuals and families navigating this journey. Every improvement in balance, every extra step taken, and every regained bit of independence represents countless hours of hard work and perseverance.

This month is about recognising those journeys, supporting those affected, and continuing to raise awareness that recovery and progress are always possible with the right support and rehabilitation.

To everyone living with the effects of a brain injury, and the families supporting them, we see the effort you put in every single day. 💙

04/03/2026

For those who didn’t see Margaret’s progress post from November, here’s a little reminder of just how far she’s come.

After her stroke in June 2024, Margaret worked incredibly hard to regain her independence and was making fantastic progress. However, early in 2025 she became severely unwell due to an infection and spent over six months in hospital. During that time, she experienced significant deconditioning, losing strength, mobility and confidence. By the time she was discharged, she required hands-on assistance to stand, could only walk short distances with a zimmer frame, and was fatigued by even small movements.

At the end of November, we shared a huge milestone, Margaret’s first steps with a quad stick since her hospital stay.

Now, just three months later, we’re sharing a comparison that truly shows the power of consistent rehab and determination.

Her balance is stronger, her walking more controlled, and her confidence continues to grow with every session.

After everything she has overcome, this isn’t just progress, it’s resilience in action.

Margaret continues to prove that setbacks don’t define you. How you respond to them does. And she is responding in the best way possible. 💙

26/02/2026

Exciting Partnership Announcement 🤝

We’re delighted to share that Cortex Physiotherapy is now working in partnership with Thistle Help, a trusted local provider of mobility aids and assisted living equipment across the west of Scotland.

At Cortex, our mission has always been to help people improve their mobility, rebuild confidence and regain independence and Thistle Help share that exact same focus.

Thistle Help specialise in providing mobility scooters, wheelchairs, adjustable beds, riser recliners, hoisting equipment and a wide range of other daily living aids that make life at home safer and more manageable. Their experienced team support individuals, families and care providers in finding practical solutions that genuinely make a difference.

We’ve also had the pleasure of being involved in joint assessments with Thistle Help, and it’s been clear from the outset that their team share the same commitment we do to going the extra mile for clients. We’re incredibly grateful for the care, respect and professionalism they show to the individuals we support.

We’re excited about what this partnership means for the people and families we support.

Stronger together.

16/02/2026

Cortex Physiotherapy didn't start as just a business plan. It started with family and this is the woman behind it all!

Karen Kerr, 58, was told she'd never walk again because of a brain injury.

13/02/2026

Anne has been an absolute superstar this week.

Anne came following a stroke, with one clear objective, to get back on her feet again. And she is well and truly on her way.

When we first started working together, Anne required hands-on assistance at all times. During balance re-education and walking practice, she needed continuous support, and her right foot required passive assistance from a therapist to help her step.

Fast forward to now… and the progress has been incredible.

In this week’s session, Anne truly surprised even us. In the video you’ll see her performing unassisted squats, working on dynamic balance while batting a balloon back and forth & finishing strong with walking practice using her quad stick

The confidence, strength and control she is showing now compared to those early sessions is remarkable.

Anne’s recovery is a reminder that progress after stroke doesn’t stop, it builds with consistency, courage, and the right support.

We couldn’t be prouder of her effort and determination. Client of the week? Absolutely deserved.

Keep going, Anne, you’re smashing it 💪

05/02/2026

We’re excited to officially welcome Annie, our newest Physiotherapist, to the Cortex Physiotherapy team!

If there’s one thing you’ll notice about Annie straight away, it’s her energy. When she’s not in clinic or on visits, she’s often out taking part in one of her many hobbies and staying active, something that reflects the same drive and positivity she brings into her work with clients. That high-energy approach fits perfectly with the Cortex team, where motivation, movement, and momentum are a big part of helping people recover.

Annie’s journey into physiotherapy started early. Growing up in a very sporty family, she was always around competitions and events where she saw physios in action, helping people recover and get back to doing what they love. That curiosity quickly turned into a passion for rehabilitation.

Her biggest motivation, however, came closer to home. Annie’s mum developed cauda equina, a serious spinal condition caused by compression of the nerves at the base of the spine and often requires urgent surgery followed by intensive rehabilitation. Watching her mum go through surgery and rehab showed Annie just how powerful good physiotherapy can be and confirmed that this was the career she wanted to pursue.

What Annie loves most about being a physio is seeing those breakthrough moments. Whether it’s the first muscle twitch after a stroke, a new movement someone thought they’d lost, or a first independent walk, every win matters, big or small. She also enjoys being part of the entire journey, from the first assessment right through to discharge, and says there’s nothing more satisfying than helping someone reach their goals and sending them back out into the world with confidence.

Outside of work, Annie is a self-confessed chatterbox who loves getting to know people. She’s a big ice hockey fan, follows Formula 1, and when she’s not out surfing you’ll find her rock climbing, reading, or playing airsoft, always keeping busy and active.

We’re delighted to have Annie on board and can’t wait for our clients to benefit from her passion, drive, and infectious energy.

02/02/2026

At Cortex Physiotherapy, we help people whose movement, balance, and confidence have been affected by neurological or complex conditions, often long after hospital rehab.

We commonly support people in Ayrshire who are living with the effects after a stroke, brain injury, Parkinson’s, MS, or CP, or who are struggling with everyday activities like walking, getting around the house, or doing the things they love.

Our goal is simple, help our clients regain independence and get back to the activities that matter most, whether that’s walking safely, enjoying your hobbies, or feeling confident at home.

We provide specialist neuro physiotherapy both in clinic and at home, so support fits around you, not the other way around.

If this sounds familiar, whether for you or someone you care for, you’re not alone and help is available.

If you have any questions or are unsure if physiotherapy could help you or a family member feel free to call us on 01563 657334 or send us a message.