Combined Physio

11/08/2026

**Could acupuncture help with sciatica or nerve pain?**

Over the years, I’ve treated many people experiencing nerve pain in their arms or legs—including sciatica.

Often, they arrive feeling frustrated. They may have been told that they simply need to wait for it to improve, learn to live with it or consider surgery if it doesn’t settle.

One of the most encouraging patterns I see with acupuncture is a gradual improvement over the first few appointments:

* After the first session: pain may feel around 30% easier
* After the second session: some people report roughly 60% relief
* By the third session: pain and function can sometimes be 85–90% improved

Of course, everyone responds differently, and these results can’t be guaranteed. However, acupuncture can be a really useful tool for:

* Calming and reducing pain
* Making everyday movement more comfortable
* Helping people sleep more easily
* Allowing rehabilitation exercises to progress
* Supporting a return to normal activities

For someone who has been struggling for weeks or months, seeing that level of change after only a few sessions can feel quite significant.

Acupuncture isn’t suitable for every person or every condition, but if nerve pain is affecting your everyday life, it may be worth considering as part of a wider physiotherapy and rehabilitation plan.

📩 Please get in touch if you’d like to discuss whether it could be suitable for you.

CombinedPhysio

04/08/2026

🐾 **When should my dog see a physiotherapist?**

Dogs can’t tell us exactly where something hurts, but changes in their movement or behaviour often provide important clues.

Your dog may benefit from physiotherapy if they:

🐶 Are limping or moving differently
🐶 Seem uncomfortable when touched
🐶 Struggle with stairs, jumping or getting into the car
🐶 Find it difficult to sit, lie down, roll over or stand up
🐶 Appear stiff after resting
🐶 Lose their balance or look unsteady when walking
🐶 Have arthritis, hip dysplasia or cruciate problems
🐶 Are recovering from an injury, illness or operation
🐶 Have a spinal or neurological condition
🐶 Are no longer managing their usual walks or activities comfortably

Physiotherapy can include hands-on treatment, laser therapy and an individually tailored exercise programme to help manage discomfort, improve movement and rebuild strength.

At **Combined Physio**, I work with dogs of all ages and temperaments, collaborating with their owners and veterinary team to provide supportive, personalised rehabilitation.

📍 Clinic appointments in Atcham, Shrewsbury
🏡 Home visits may also be available

🌐 [www.combinedphysio.co.uk](http://www.combinedphysio.co.uk)

If you’ve noticed a change in your dog’s movement, comfort or confidence, please get in touch to discuss whether physiotherapy could help.

ShropshireDogs CombinedPhysio

30/07/2026

The American College of Sports Medicine has published its first major resistance-training update since 2009, drawing on 137 systematic reviews.

The message is clear: **consistency and appropriate loading matter more than complicated programmes.**

For healthy adults, the guidance supports:

• Training all major muscle groups at least twice weekly
• Around **80% of one-repetition maximum (1RM)** for strength
• **30–70% of 1RM**, lifted quickly, to develop power
• Programmes tailored to the individual’s goals, abilities and safety

**Older adults also need progressive strength, power, balance and functional training—not simply gentle movement.**

Rehabilitation should:

• Move away from prolonged rest towards safe, progressive loading
• Progress from isometric, concentric and eccentric strengthening to functional and plyometric exercise
• Use supportive treatments to manage symptoms (massage, manipulation, laser therapy, acupuncture) to allow active rehab
• Apply the principles to animals, helping reduce weakness caused by unnecessarily prolonged crate or box rest

**The right exercise, at the right time, with the right guidance, can be game-changing.**

*All rehabilitation should be individually assessed, considering the injury, surgery, symptoms and stage of tissue healing.*

27/07/2026

TFCC injury is a disruption to the triangular fibrocartilage complex, little finger side of your wrist. Often injured by falling on an outstretched hand. Isometric loading is a great way to start if tolerated. I have been lasering and taping too.

27/07/2026

21/07/2026

Constantly checking my pups. Physio brain can’t switch off. Especially with Leo’s surgery 6 months ago. With my horse recently injuring herself too. I’m going to spend most of my time rehabbing my own 🤦🏼‍♀️. Any other physio’s relate? Oh and I may have sprained my wrist ✊.

08/07/2026

🐶✨ Laser therapy isn't just for people!
Here's Leo enjoying one of his laser therapy sessions. 🐾 Leo has elbow dysplasia and underwent surgery around four months ago, and laser therapy has been a great addition to his recovery.

Laser therapy can help by:
✔️ Increasing blood flow
✔️ Supporting tissue healing
✔️ Providing pain relief
✔️ Reducing swelling and inflammation

One of the best things about it? There's no messy gel (unlike ultrasound treatment), sessions are quick, and most dogs relax and tolerate it really well—as you can see with Leo! 💙

If you'd like to know whether laser therapy could help your dog, feel free to get in touch at www.combinedphysio.co.uk.

02/06/2026

One appointment has become available tomorrow due to a cancellation.

If you or your dog, horse or cat could do with a physiotherapy session, assessment, or a bit of extra support, feel free to get in touch.

My next available appointments after this are from **23rd June**.

📩 Message the page for details

20/04/2026

🚧 Roadworks 🚧

Tue 14 April - Fri 5 June 2026
I have been made aware that roadworks will be taking place on the B4380 and the B5061 (the road between Emstrey Island and Wellington Turn) on selected dates between Tue 14 April and Fri 5 June 2026, specifically for stud removal on 21st April.

When the road is closed, you should still be able to access via Emstrey Island.
Please follow the diversions in place and allow a little extra time for your journey.

For more information, visit the Shropshire Council website 🙏

14/03/2026

Fab course completed this week updating knowledge and technique using medical acupuncture. I find it so successful at helping to get tissue change, healing and pain relief from sports injuries to spinal pain and arthritis. This then helps set the body up for strengthening and conditioning for rehab. Pictured here are needles to help anterior knee pain/ patella tendon injury, shoulder joint pain especially for rotator cuff dysfunction, wrist problems such as dequervains and lateral epicondylitis.