TESTIMONIALS
I came to Tom with a meniscus tear in my knee which was very painful and swollen and at its worst caused me to limp. I didn’t want to go down the route of surgery so Tom worked on strengthening exercises to do on my own combined with one-to-one sessions which were fun but challenging. I would highly recommend Tom; his knowledge and expertise is second to none.
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Jane Sylverya
I have suffered with lower back issues for many, many years, since my teens. After multiple back procedures in my late 40s and no significant improvement I was offered disc replacement surgery. If I’d gone ahead with this I would have been out of action for at least 6 months.
Instead of this extremely invasive surgery I was recommended to try weekly sessions with Tom. He quickly understood my physical limits and condition and treated me with a blend of manipulation and therapeutic exercise sessions for a number of years. My strength grew, my weight plummeted and I became a bit of a athlete! In 2018 I completed a unique 3,500 mile, month-long charity cycling challenge around the UK - in my 50th year.
I wouldn’t hesitate in recommending Tom.
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Dom Millar
Having suffered for almost two years with a rotator cuff tear, degenerating ACJ joint & mild osteoarthritis I was beginning to believe I would have to have a shoulder operation as advised by my surgeon who I had seen on two occasions.
I had tried many alternative methods of healing, such as acupuncture and chiropractor, however, nothing really had an effect on my shoulder.
By the time I was introduced to Tom I had stopped most of my yoga & pilates classes and swimming was proving difficult.
I had 12 training sessions with Tom in the gym and I found the following improvements:-
1. Increased mobility of shoulder.
2 Massive reduction in pain.
3. Enabled me to return to my classes.
Over and above this Tom gave me the confidence to believe ‘in the process’ and that I could actually use my shoulder and build strength.
He also helped me understand that other parts of my body needed strengthening and how they interact with each other..
Tom gave me the confidence to start going to the gym a couple of times a week and he also believed that I would heal. His positivity and encouragement had a great effect on me.
In summary, although the treatment was personalised to my shoulder I felt the whole approach was holistic and helped me with my overall fitness and body strength.
I really believe that I could not have got better without Tom. I really enjoy going to the gym now and feeling so much more positive about my overall health.
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Lisa Lucas
After my hip operation in 2006, I was only given a booklet to refer to for exercises and no offer of any Physiotherapy. I knew I needed help as I’d been unable to do much in the way of physical exercise for several years.
I engaged with Tom 6 weeks after my operation and his first instruction was to “get rid of the stick”.
My skeletal muscles were in bad shape and Tom worked with me to build up my fitness. I am now at a fitness level I’ve not known for over 30 years and as a result I have also lost over 15kg.
Tom has been aware of my limitations throughout and has taken these into account whilst continually pushing me to greater achievements. I cannot recommend him highly enough.
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Janice Coombes
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In September 2014, I started personal training sessions with Tom once a week and a year later increased to twice a week.
I had suffered with cartilage degeneration and tendon failure and turned to Tom to gain strength, mobility and balance at this time.
In March 2018 I decided to go ahead with recommended surgery for an ankle fusion, scheduled for July 2018 under Mr Paul Halliwell, Orthopaedic Surgeon.
During the three months prior to my surgery, Tom concentrated on my overall fitness, including quad strength, posterior chain strength as well as upper body, core and lower back so I would be prepared for surgery and a three month non-weight bearing period.
During my recovery Tom worked with me at home and I was able to work on my core and upper body strength whilst still adhering to my non-weight bearing recovery.
After three months (post surgery), Tom worked closely with me for 12 months , giving me rehabilitation programmes.
We worked together, initially concentrating on balance and general gait, and over time increased my program to joint stability, full weight bearing without pain and overall improved mobility and strength for everyday tasks.
Toms knowledge regarding the anatomy, injury and tailoring personalised programs to suit a clients needs is exceptional.
I would highly recommend Tom for both pre and post surgery training.
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Alison Sandwith
At the beginning of 2019 a long-standing knee problem deteriorated to the point where I was on regular doses of ibuprofen and unable to walk more than a quarter of a mile without discomfort and pain.
I’m a very fit and active person, walking, running, horse riding, working out at the gym are all a part of my daily routine.
An MRI scan showed that I only had a sliver of cartilage behind my right knee cap and I was considering surgery, however my surgeon wasn’t convinced that this was a long term solution.
Tom Saunders is a Rehab coach Based in the gym that I use and having seen him work with his clients I was impressed with his professional approach and experience in postoperative rehabilitation. I went to Tom for a second opinion.
Tom suggested that I undertake a program of strengthening exercises to help support my knee. The aim being to reduce my use of pain killers down to the bare minimum and get back as close as possible to my previous levels of activity.
After seven weeks I was able to come off pain killers entirely and after nine weeks my right knee felt normal. Although I no longer run on a regular basis I was able to take part in parkrun earlier this month with no ill effects.
I have also been suffering from carpal tunnel syndrome, I had a release operation and was told to be very careful about using it for six weeks. However my work with horses requires considerable grip and forearm strength which I didn’t want to lose whilst my hand healed. Tom was able to give me an exercise program tailored to maintain arm strength without damaging the operation site and I was able to go back to work at the yard after just five weeks.
Tom is not only professional but passionate about what he does. He has an extensive and thorough knowledge of physio therapy. Tom is a friendly, enthusiastic and a great PT to work with.
Katie Corrie
Take a late-50-something with a dodgy sacroiliac, which went four times a year, and two recent operations for torn rotator cuff tendons… and then add in Tom Saunders. This now-60-something has had a consistent and bespoke programme from Tom to repair, strengthen and increase flexibility and now has a resilient body that enjoys a lot of exercise without pain or injury. Tom’s care and attention to you as an individual is second to none….and his great sense of humour makes the hard work fun!
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Jane poyntz
In Dec 2021 I could barely put one leg in front of another to walk normally without pain in my
buttocks and thighs.
After just one session I was walking reasonably well and so I have continued to use his services to
help me strengthen my muscles. I hadn’t realised the Covid layoff and not using the gym over that
period had affected me so much.
I feel I have managed to make good progress over the six plus months such I would be happy to
recommend him to anyone with a muscle problem.
Pete Coombes
