Nicola Warren-Footman

Senior Physiotherapist | BSc (Hons) MCSP SRP

My Background

I originally developed an interest in Physiotherapy as I wanted to help people be healthier with a therapeutic approach. After graduating I worked in a variety of areas of healthcare including neurology and orthopaedics before focussing on musculoskeletal physiotherapy. In the last 25 years I have worked with many client groups including those with sports injuries, pregnancy related musculoskeletal pain, lifestyle related injuries and long term conditions, both in the UK and New Zealand. My interest in biomechanics and how the body adapts when in pain or injured has led to successfully treating many long term conditions in addition to more acute injuries.

I love the analytical aspect of physiotherapy: identifying the underlying problem, treating the symptoms and educating/retraining the body to recover fully and avoid future dysfunction. I examine the body holistically and assess how each joint interacts with each other to determine where the original problem lies in addition to treating the pain.

Qualifications & Experience

My experience as an Extended Scope Practitioner, working alongside Consultants, required me to be able to order x-rays/MRIs and determine the appropriate treatment for an individual, whether that be physiotherapy, podiatry, self-management or surgery. I am therefore able to quickly identify if physiotherapy is appropriate or whether a surgical/consultant opinion is necessary.
I am skilled in a variety of techniques including soft tissue release, manual therapy, taping, exercise prescription, postural advice and pain management education. I also have a special interest in using acupuncture as part of my physiotherapy treatment programmes and find it incredibly beneficial for clients’ symptoms. I can treat any part of the body but mostly enjoy shoulders, hips and knees. I also love treating children/ young adults over the age of 10 as they are so positive and fun to engage with!

Maintaining high standards is extremely important to me and I regularly attend postgraduate physiotherapy courses and read current research to ensure I am giving the best possible up to date care to my clients.

Specialisms

• Biomechanics – analysing how the body moves to identify the root cause of injury, and treating underlying imbalances to prevent recurrence
• Acupuncture – using fine needles to relieve pain and support the body’s natural healing processes
• Joint-specific Treatment – specialist care for shoulders, elbows, hips, and knees
• Paediatric and Adolescent Care – treating children and young people aged 10 and above with tailored physiotherapy approaches

How I like to recharge and reset

Exercise and nutrition are very important to me and I try to incorporate both into my daily life. I enjoy the gym, body balance classes, swimming and walking my handsome Golden Doodle and my beautiful scatty rescue dog from Zante! I love reading anything from historical fiction to personal growth books and also enjoy planning my next trip around the globe! I have two children who also keep me busy and I love to spend time with them and my husband as a family, walking in the country or visiting the beach……when we’re not driving them to their various after school activities!