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Is my arthritis going to get worse and cause more pain?

Apr 23, 2021

Find out more about Arthritis

This is a question we get asked quite frequently in the
clinic. It’s always a hard question to answer as we are all very different
people, who do very different things and have very different lifestyles.

How about if I put it to you that arthritis does not have to
be a debilitating condition, which stops you from doing things that you love
doing?

WHAT?

Would that change your outlook of your condition?

Yes, it’s true; arthritis does not have to be that condition
which holds you back. There are many things that you can do that can help to
keep you active and mobile. First thing that I have to implore that you do is,
to seek advice from your Health care professional!!

Let’s have a look at what arthritis actually is.

Arthritis is inflammation in the joint, be it back, knee,
shoulder, etc. It’s part of the body’s natural healing process. The two main
types of arthritis we see at the clinic are inflammatory arthritis and
degenerative/mechanical arthritis/osteoarthritis (OA).

Inflammatory arthritis normally occurs as a defence against
viruses or bacteria. Often this occurs for no obvious reason and is referred to
as an auto immune condition, which means the immune system is attacking your
joints. So, instead of helping to repair the body, inflammation can cause
damage to the affected joint and cause pain and stiffness. The inflammation can
also affect tendons and ligaments surrounding the joint.

Degenerative/mechanical/osteoarthritis (OA) is a group of
conditions where the main problem is damage to the cartilage which covers the
end of the bones. Normally the cartilage helps the joints to move smoothly. In
this type of arthritis the cartilage becomes thinner and rougher. The bone
underneath then tries to repair the damage but sometimes overgrows, altering
the shape of the joint. It can also result from previous damage to the joint
such as fractures or previous inflammation.

Ok, so knowing what it is, what can we do about it?

Ok so first, seek healthcare professional advice. As I said
above we are all very different and at very different stages of having the
condition in different joints. Getting assessed properly, finding out all about
you is the most important thing. Finding out about what you can or can’t do and
even what you would like to be able to do, top our list every time.

NOTE! Doing nothing will get you nowhere!

I am always keen to find out what your limitations are and
setting goals to get you closer to where you would like to be.

The main thing with physiotherapy and arthritis treatment
always boils down to the assessment. Inevitably there will be some exercise to do;
as this is what research tells us is important to help ease those aches, pains
and tightness. Finding the right
exercise regime that works best for you without overly stressing your body or
making things worse is always one of our goals.

At our clinic, we also advocate the use of manual therapy techniques
to help loosen off tight muscles and stiff joints. That is what we find works
best for our clients.

So, is my arthritis going to get worse and cause more pain?

In my opinion, yes it will if you do not seek help and find
the right rehabilitation. Getting the right treatment will certainly help to
keep aches and pains at bay.

Remember, doing nothing will most likely make things worse.

If you have any further questions, please feel free to
contact the clinic on 02892 666959, or gavin@gavnoble.com

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Physiotherapist
  • Are you comfortable working with different people to achieve their health goals?
  • Are you stuck in a boring job with little chance of learning, development or career opportunity?
  • Do you want a fresh flexible opportunity that will allow you to grow professionally and personally?
  • Our dynamic and fun business is looking for the right person to join the team.

Ideal Characteristics Required 

  • People person
  • Highly motivated
  • Outstanding references
  • You actually want to learn and work

Why work at Gav Noble Physiotherapy? 

  • Join an established, respected and busy set of clinics
  • Excellent work environment with learning opportunities in both Clinical & Business

Skills Required 

  • Commitment to ongoing professional development
  • Demonstrated ability to work as part of a team
  • Practical and able to problem solve
  • Demonstrate ability to market and advertise your skills
  • Able to use a computer
  • Strong musculo-skeletal and manual therapy background
  • Relevant Qualification 

Desirable skills/interest 

  • Manual therapy
  • Pilates training
  • Dry needling
  • Kinesio tape
  • Marketing/Business
  • Previous MSK Private Practice background

Perks

  • Opportunities for developing manual therapy skills.
  • Mixed Caseload
  • Flexibility, accountability, autonomy, transparency
  • Ability to make changes and improvements to clinical practice easily and quickly.
  • Flexibility and freedom to be creative in your approach with patient care
  • Flexible working hours
Client Care Specialist

THIS JOB WILL BE PERFECT FOR YOU IF:

  • Have amazing personal and phone communication skills
  • Have a record of speaking to people at length and the ability to deal with complaints in an empathetic manner
  • An understanding of KPIs in business and the ability to optomise their own performance
  • Help our clients get the best outcomes they can
  • Want to learn on the job and are keen in evolve your current skills
  • Computer and Social Media Literate
  • Able to handle taking payments and managing money

THE OPPORTUNITY:

  • Join a hard working, fun group who enjoy making a difference every day you come into the clinic
  • The opportunity to make a real difference in people’s lives and health through communication and education

IF YOU CAN SEE YOURSELF:

  • Helping potential clients determine if our clinic is the right fit for them and their problem?
  • Answering and returning phone calls of potential, current and past clients?

JOB TITLE: Client Care Specialist

  • Are you comfortable with talking to strangers both in person and on the phone?
  • Are you a motivated to learn?
  • Is being “organised” a top priority in your life and are you able to multi-task and prioritize projects, while simultaneously meeting deadlines and prioritizing your day?
  • Can you communicate effectively with people from all different backgrounds – both written and verbal?
  • Are you able to speak up when you see something that is not working and can you anticipate the needs of other people because you show up for work knowing that the smallest details always make the difference?
  • Do you have a positive outlook on life? Are you flexible and open to change, committed to learning?

THE ROLE:

  • You will be responsible for managing a busy front desk and waiting room.
  • experience, meeting and greeting our patients, answering the phone, converting inquires into paying patients and ensuring that all of our patients are looked after and made to feel welcomed whenever they enter your world.
  • Ultimately, your job is to help us grow the revenue of the clinic by booking in new patients via the phone or those who walk into our clinic directly and excelling at retaining those patients as lifelong customers of the business.
  • You’ll do that by creating the type of customer service experience that patients will be happy to pay for – and just as happy to tell others about.

THE TASKS:

  • Communicate the value of our services (in person and on the phone) and be able to explain how what we do, is worth the price we are asking
  • Successfully handle price objections.
  • Hold a lengthy (at least 15-20 minute) conversation with new patients on the phone ensuring that patients are committed and bought into our service.
  • Provide an exceptional waiting room environment for our patients that they’ll look forward to coming back to.
  • Ensure that people who call requesting appointments are placed on schedule and understand the true time and cost commitment involved in physical therapy.
  • Ensure people show up excited for their first appointment after scheduling.
  • Communicate with patients before, during and after appointments to ensure satisfaction is being achieved.
  • Ensure that all invoices are raised on time, every time and are sent to the appropriate person (in house or externally).
  • Organise and plan all schedules – maximising efficiency and revenue for the clinic.
  • Foster deep relationships with patients ensuring NP score hits agreed levels.
  • Develop and regularly update the procedures library so that every aspect of the role is documented and can be achieved by anyone else in the business.

SKILLS/COMPETENCIES NEEDED:

  • Be able to hold meaningful conversations with prospective patients on the phone for longer than 20 minutes (empathy).
  • Be able to answer all questions asked on the phone in a such a way that increases the likelihood that the person asking will want to become a customer (insightful and knowledgeable).
  • Recall names and faces of patients and in doing so making all our patients feel welcomed and remembered.
  • Provide a warm and welcoming greeting to patients when they arrive in the clinic (experience).
  • Organisation and planning: plans and organises, schedules and budgets in an efficient, productive manner.
  • Focuses on key priorities.
  • Follow through on commitments: lives up to verbal and written agreements regardless of personal cost.
  • Demonstrate an ability to quickly and proficiently understand and absorb new information.
  • Attention to detail: does not let important details slip through the cracks.
  • Persistence: demonstrate tenacity and willingness to go the distance to get something done.
  • Proactivity: acts without being told what to do.
  • Bring new ideas to the company.

WHAT WE WILL DO FOR YOU:

  • Provide you with ongoing training and support in the field of customer service and front desk administration.
  • Give you an amazing environment to work in that includes working with a team of wonderful and very supportive staff – as well as very
  • friendly customers.
  • Opportunity to develop and grow in a team that is value driven and strongly encourages personality based service.
  • Competitive salary with chance to earn even more as we grow as a result of your impact.

Salary: On Application.

Hours: Full time, 37.5 hours.