Down2u Physiotherapy

22/03/2026

11 MILLON people were signed off sick in the UK in 2025.

A significant proportion of those cases started as musculoskeletal pain that became chronic — often compounded by delayed work conversations, long waiting times for treatment, and prolonged sickness absence.

This is exactly the challenge we’re trying to tackle.

It was a privilege to be invited by ACPOHE (Association of Chartered Physiotherapists in Occupational Health and Ergonomics) to present the outcomes we’re seeing in South Yorkshire, where we are testing new approaches to support people with chronic pain back into meaningful work.

South Yorkshire is acting as a vanguard area for the test and learn phase of the Pathways to Work / Keep Britain Working agenda.

Locally, we are combining functional rehabilitation, chronic pain management, and occupational health approaches to support individuals who have been economically inactive for years due to disability or persistent MSK conditions.

The results are genuinely transformational.
We are seeing people who have been out of work for years regain confidence, function, and the ability to return to an active socioeconomic life.

I started the session with my usual warm-up ritual (those who know, know) before discussing a key issue:

Too often acute MSK problems become chronic and complex because the system focuses on waiting for treatment rather than supporting people to stay connected to work while they recover.

This work matters deeply to me.
We know that people living in more deprived communities are significantly more likely to develop high-impact chronic pain, and therefore more likely to fall out of the labour market.

If we get this right — combining rehabilitation, occupational health, and early work-focused conversations — we can change that trajectory.

A huge thank you to ACPOHE for the opportunity to share this work.
I’d love to hear from others working in occupational health, MSK, pain management, or vocational rehabilitation:

👉 What approaches are you seeing that genuinely help people with persistent pain stay in — or return to — work?

Great to see Alexandra Bell Katie Knapton Lina Chauhan Lasse Flosand Dr Jennifer Walmsley Tim William

18/03/2026

Lovely afternoon at BEST Barnsley. Super honoured to present how our Work and Pain Solutions are helping Chronic pain patients find their feet again, to over 100 GPs.

Great to hear from Consultant Anaesthetic Dr Wassall from Sheffield Pain management about how they are approaching Fibromyalgia.

They have 4 consultants, 2 physios, 2 Occupational therapist and 1.5 psychologist- 1 year waiting list and 4000 people on waiting list.

We offer very similar concepts, building people to be bigger than their pain and giving empathy and compassion. Validating feelings and pain.

Great to consolidate that we are doing all the right things! ✅️

17/03/2026

A post about pride

Down2u was born out of self-reliance, discipline and exploration. I have leaped into business the last 5 years. Its been a roller coaster, juggling - running a company, family with 3 kids, moving house (renovations -DIY), keeping up with social activities and staying fit.

Down2u encourages our patients to face their physical barriers and complications to reach new levels of capabilities. I had to dig deep through a number of injuries for the Crossfit Open, big strain to the right arm, so when seeing one of the workouts was pull ups, chest to bar and Ring muscle ups, I had huge anxiety.

So, to finish top 6% in the world and 5% in England in the crossfit open 2026, I am super SHOCKED and proud 👏

I love crossfit and what is stands for, Down2u tends to use their philosophy to fitness in our functional rehabilitation.

I wish I had the time to take it more seriously, saying that, I wont be able to part take in the quarter finals 😫

Well done to everyone involved, especially all the members and all the different teams baking some delicious goodies over the last 3 weeks.

Special shout out to the people who judged me, or pushed me whilst trying not to die during the workouts.

8

cf

01/03/2026

Last year my life got turned upside down, usually a fit and well 32 year-old woman with a full but blessed life, including a husband, two beautiful young children, loving wider family, Church and a nursing career I loved on ITU.
I suddenly began developing symptoms affecting my sight, ability to swallow, limb movement, coordination, pain and strength. After the initial scans confirmed that what they currently suspected wasn’t life-threatening, I was put on an extremely long waiting list to see various Specialists to explore the possible diagnosis of a condition called Gillian barre syndrome.
In this waiting period I was seen by multiple NHS physios who spent most of the session discussing my possible condition and no help or advise on how to alleviate any of my symptoms. I paid to see private chiropractors, rheumatologists seeking help and all just wanted more tests carried out and no one offered any help to alleviate any of my symptoms.
At this point I was still unable work, to pick my children up in my arms, chop food without cutting myself or dropping when serving the plates, sleep or do any of my usual Daily chores without poor coordination, weakness, pain and pins/needles in my limbs.
A friend from Church recommended Adam Sui, and down 2 U physio services to me. Sceptical, as no one else had managed to offer any help, I felt desperate enough to sign up for a session.

When I first met Adam I noticed straight away his approach was extremely different to anyone else I had visited. I quickly noted that he cared about getting me back to work, and back to doing the things I enjoyed ASAP! His holistic approach made sure all areas suffering in my life were covered, and gave techniques that I could use at work and home that would fit into my lifestyle.
Not only that, his anatomy and physiology knowledge was outstanding! Every pain and pins/needles area I turned up with, he knew straight away the nerve controlling the area and how to alleviate the symptoms. Still sceptical (a neuro/spinal ITU nurse), I decided to thoroughly put these techniques to the test. I wrote a diary of my symptoms and how I had managed the day with and without doing the techniques Adam had...

11/02/2026

12/01/2026

Fibular fracture from Forklift driving over his leg!

INITIAL
Wasn't working
Unable to walk or stand for long
Gait pattern was very poor
Lower back pain from walking differently

AFTER
Return to work
Walking, standing for long periods of time
Walking naturally
Started to jog, skip and hop

FUNCTIONAL rehab

"Improving someone's function to return to their lives"

04/01/2026

Top 5 tips to help return to work after an MSK injury.

One of the most important things we do is get someone back to work after injury.

Work has a financial benefit to enable us to live our social lives.

Work is also a great rehabilitation tool - having routine of waking up, eating hearty breakfast, commuting to work, talking to colleagues, sitting or manual work for 8 hours. This is all require mental, physical and emotional capacity.

If you have been off work for more than 2 weeks, get in touch and we can help you return to work with advice, treatment and a return to work plan, FREE of charge if you in South Yorkshire.

Tag someone you know whose struggling or DMs us for more information.

Happy 2026!!

01/01/2026

2025, lovely year.

2026, here to more of

1) helping more people
2) talking to more people
3) listening to more people

23/11/2025

CSP CONFERENCE THOUGHTS

This year there is a huge theme regarding Work and Health.

It is brilliant that the CSP has presented the opportunity that is upon us as Physiotherapist to make an impact on the 9.2 Million people off work due to ill health.

Out of the 8 vanguard that has been provided funding ONLY 2 responded to Pip White review on how the WorkWell Scheme is implementing physiotherapy services in their Trailblazer. WHAT A SHAME!

The 2 include South Yorkshire and fortunately how Down2u Health and Wellbeing Ltd x South Yorkshire Housing Association are providing Early Intervention to those at RISK of falling off sick or those who have early sickness absence.

The other includes the brilliant work Pip Norris is doing over in Greater Manchester - linking FCP physiotherapists with a local employment organisation The Growth Company: Employment - this is brilliant in terms health clinicians are having conversation with patients about work and whether they need assistance, however, are physios missing out on providing follow up rehabilitation to get people over their Health barriers to return to work?

Alexandra Bell lovely CSP summary on "physios should be shouting out louder on our talent and skills to help this government's agenda of helping more people back into work".

We have brilliant pocket of physiotherapist out there like Lina Chauhan Karli Gibson Clare Henson-Bowen shouting out about functional rehabilitation.

If you are a Physiotherapist and making a difference in this space, reach out... I would love to connect!

04/11/2025

Older doesn't mean weaker

Recently, I have been hearing that strength training trumps any other type of fitness for longer health span.

Mr and Mrs N have come for 3 couples' strength and conditioning sessions on top of knee arthritis and shoulder rehabilitation.

Mrs N knees are feeling great with no pain.
Mr N shoulder is becoming more mobile and stronger.

Christmas is around the corner, why not consider gifting health?

DM us if you want to gift health to a loved one.

02/11/2025

October dump

Thank you to everyone who has ever trusted us to build you a better and stronger body.

Pain gets us at any age, and the earlier you receive the right support, the less likely it will impact your life, work, and sport.

You're always going to see us promote heavy lifting, dynamic movements, and challenging tasks to make your normal day to day movements feel a lot easier.

Let's have you in November, with lots more learning, webinars, conferences, and networking. Of course, making a difference to our patients' lives.

19/10/2025

Hyrox sim with last weekend.

1.00.19 seconds