5 Minutes with Stronglines Physio | Your Cancer Services

07 May 2020 — david-allen

During your cancer journey, physical wellbeing is often just as important as your clinical treatment. We caught up with Fred Braithwaite, Managing Director of Stronglines in Wellingborough, Northamptonshire, about their physiotherapy services for those living with cancer. With current restrictions in place due to COVID-19, the team are now also offering video consultations.

Tell us about your organisation? 

We opened our doors on 21^st March 2016 operating out of Wellingborough in Northamptonshire and set out to offer the most innovative and forward-thinking physio services for those with injury, chronic illness or just wanting to improve their performance.

What services do you offer people living with cancer? 

We use scientifically grounded techniques to help rebuild people living with and beyond cancer. The service is thorough and holistic, and we take into account everything that the client chooses to share with us. We then offer real world, applicable and effective solutions to any issues. Examples would be reducing the cancer related fatigue, increasing muscle mass and bone density, helping them feel strong again, confident in their body, returning people to their original lives where needed including sport and work.

Do you have a target demographic who use your services? 

We work with everyone from 12 to 112. We actually have a specialty to work with both men and woman affected by cancer and can treat those with any type of cancer that are undergoing any kind of treatment. We offer solutions that are highly individualised.

How are you funded? 

We work with most insurance companies so clients with appropriate cover can access our services that way. People can also self-pay. We have worked with charities before and hope to develop this avenue of funding but currently it is worked out on an individual basis.

What’s the most rewarding thing about the work you do? 

We love working with people. We are often shocked at how little people know of the benefits of cancer rehabilitation. It is incredible watching someone who does not entirely believe they can get better reaching new heights and completing new challenges that they genuinely believed were impossible. An example would be taking a team of our clients to complete the Milton Keynes Marathon Relay. We are passionate about what we do and what’s more, we are good at it.

What would you say to those who are considering getting in touch with you but are nervous or apprehensive? 

It will be the best thing you do. Give us a call. Even if it is just to ask questions. If calling is too daunting, have a look at our website and listen to the testimonials from real people, talking real issues. We get it.

Do you have testimonials from people that have used your services? 

On our website you can see two passionate people talking specifically about their journeys. They are incredible people. We also have many testimonials on our website, some are from cancer rehab patients but this may not come across as by this time, it is not about disease, it is about rebuilding the person – they are not their disease any more, they are a new version of themselves.

Who works for you? 

All our employees are Physio’s with CSP and HCPC accreditation. We then put everyone on a UK Strength & Conditioning Association and Cancer Rehab course to ensure all three skill sets can be merged and used effectively.

What are the values of your organisation? 

We want to change people’s lives.

And finally, can you describe your organisation in 3 words?

OWN YOUR BODY