--- title: "Physio for Bodybuilding: Prevent & Treat Injuries | CK Physio" description: Relieve muscle aches with physiotherapy at trusted London clinics. Restore strength and mobility to support your active lifestyle. Read on for more info. image: https://ckphysio.co.uk/hubfs/bodybuilders%20in%20London.jpg --- [![Spinal Problems, Sports Injuries, Joint Pains & Others! | London | CK Physiotherapy](https://ckphysio.co.uk/hubfs/CK%20physio%20-%202023/Images/CK%20LOGO%20main%20with%20wordmark%2032pt%20SVG%201.svg)](https://ckphysio.co.uk) - [About](https://ckphysio.co.uk/about-us) - [Testimonials](https://ckphysio.co.uk/testimonials) - [Links](https://ckphysio.co.uk/links) - [Infection prevention](https://ckphysio.co.uk/infection-prevention) - [Treatments](https://ckphysio.co.uk/treatments) - [Physiotherapy](https://ckphysio.co.uk/treatments/physiotherapy) - [Shockwave therapy](https://ckphysio.co.uk/treatments/shockwave-therapy) - [Shockwave Video](https://ckphysio.co.uk/treatments/shockwave-therapy/shockwave-video-hanwell) - [Electrotherapy](https://ckphysio.co.uk/treatments/electrotherapy) - [Conditions](https://ckphysio.co.uk/conditions) - [Bookings](https://ckphysio.co.uk/bookings) - [Resources](https://ckphysio.co.uk/resource) - [Blog List](https://ckphysio.co.uk/blog) - [Educational Videos](https://ckphysio.co.uk/in-depth-guide-video) [Contact us](https://ckphysio.co.uk/contact) ![bodybuilders in London](https://ckphysio.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/bodybuilders%20in%20London.jpg?width=1200&height=628&name=bodybuilders%20in%20London.jpg) ![calender](https://ckphysio.co.uk/hubfs/CK%20physio%20-%202023/Images/Group%20427324665.svg) 20\. February 2015 # Physio for Bodybuilding: Prevent & Treat Injuries **Clinically reviewed by Bryan Kelly, Chartered Physiotherapist (MCSP, HCPC).** Last reviewed: 26 Oct 2026. Next review due: Oct 2027. Original article: 20 February 2015. **Quick answer** Physiotherapy for bodybuilders and strength athletes focuses on load management, lift-specific assessment and progressive rehab, so you can keep training in some form while you recover. At CK Physio in Hanwell, our Chartered Physiotherapists help West London lifters work through shoulder, back, elbow, knee and chest injuries without defaulting to rest. ![physiotherapy for bodybuilders](https://ckphysio.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/physiotherapy%20for%20bodybuilders.jpg?width=800&height=447&name=physiotherapy%20for%20bodybuilders.jpg)Most lifters we meet have put off seeing a physiotherapist because they are afraid of one answer: stop training. That answer is rarely the right one. The evidence base around tendons, muscle strains and lifting-related back pain has shifted a long way from the old rest-and-ice model, and so has our clinic. This guide explains how we assess and rehab bodybuilders at CK Physio in Hanwell, what the research actually says about lifting injuries, and when to call a physiotherapist rather than tough it out. ## Do bodybuilders actually need a physiotherapist? Bodybuilding has one of the lowest injury rates of any strength sport, but niggles are common and most lifters try to self-manage them for too long. A physiotherapist helps you work out which pain is a normal training signal and which is an injury that needs a plan, then builds that plan around keeping you lifting. ### How risky is bodybuilding, really? Lower risk than most people assume. A systematic review by Keogh and Winwood in *Sports Medicine* pulled together 20 studies across the weight-training sports and found bodybuilding sat at the bottom of the risk table, at roughly 0.12 to 0.7 injuries per lifter per year, or 0.24 to 1 per 1,000 hours of training.[1](https://ckphysio.co.uk/blog/when-physiotherapy-london-works-towards-your-bodybuilding-goals#ref-1) Powerlifting and strongman carry higher rates, mostly because of the maximal loads and the technical demands of competition lifts. For context, that is comparable with recreational running and well below contact sports such as rugby. An updated 2024 systematic review in *BMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine* looked at 17 reports and more than 3,000 lifters.[2](https://ckphysio.co.uk/blog/when-physiotherapy-london-works-towards-your-bodybuilding-goals#ref-2) The squat, deadlift and bench press were the lifts most often involved, and the shoulder, lower back and knee were the most common injury sites. That is the honest picture: your sport is relatively safe, but the three lifts you probably do every week are where most trouble starts. ### Why lifters wait too long Because they expect to be told to stop. In our clinic the most common story is a nagging shoulder on bench or an elbow that flares with curls, which the lifter has trained around for months before seeking help. The problem with waiting is simple: once a tendon has been irritable for 12 weeks or more, the rehab window stretches, and the training compromises get larger. Earlier assessment usually means a smaller programme change. ## The most common bodybuilding and lifting injuries The injury pattern in bodybuilders is predictable because the exercises are. Below are the sites we see most often at our clinic in Hanwell, the lifts that typically trigger them, and the first-line physio approach. | Injury | Typical lift | Key symptoms | First-line physio approach | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Rotator cuff tendinopathy | Bench, overhead press, lateral raises | Front or side shoulder ache, worse at end-range | Load modification, heavy slow resistance; see our [rotator cuff guide](https://ckphysio.co.uk/blog/overcome-shoulder-tendinitis-help-physiotherapy-london) | | Non-specific lower back pain | Deadlift, back squat, bent-over row | Stiffness and ache after sets, often one-sided | Graded loading, lift variation; see our [lower back guide](https://ckphysio.co.uk/blog/physiotherapists-share-best-lower-back-stretches-pain-relief) | | Lateral/medial elbow tendinopathy | Curls, chin-ups, high pulling volume | Pinpoint elbow pain with grip or wrist loading | Isometrics and slow eccentrics; see our [tennis elbow rehab guide](https://ckphysio.co.uk/blog/5-physiotherapy-exercises-tennis-elbow-rehabilitation) | | Patellofemoral pain or patellar tendinopathy | Back squat, hack squat, leg press | Front-of-knee pain under load or on stairs | Depth and tempo work, strength progression | | Pectoralis major rupture | Bench press, especially heavy or paused | Audible pop, bruising, deformity near the armpit | Urgent GP or A&E referral, then surgical opinion | | Achilles tendinopathy | Calf raises, high-volume lower-body work, posing | Morning stiffness, pain at the tendon mid-portion | Heavy slow resistance; see our [Achilles guide](https://ckphysio.co.uk/blog/sports-injuries-healing-achilles-tendonitis-through-physiotherapy) | ### Shoulder pain on bench and overhead press Most lifting shoulder pain is tendon-related rather than structural, which is good news because tendons respond well to loading. We usually find the problem is a combination of volume (too many pressing sessions per week), range (bar touching the chest with a very wide grip) and a weak link somewhere in the external rotators. Reducing bench frequency, swapping flat bench for a slight incline or floor press for a few weeks, and adding structured rotator cuff work tends to settle things within six to eight weeks. If you want more detail on the mechanism, our [rotator cuff and shoulder impingement guide](https://ckphysio.co.uk/blog/overcome-shoulder-tendinitis-help-physiotherapy-london) covers the rehab progression in depth. ### Lower back pain after deadlifts and squats The majority of lifting-related back pain is what the NHS calls non-specific low back pain, which does not mean the pain is imagined. It means scans rarely find a single cause, and the condition responds to graded loading rather than extended rest.[3](https://ckphysio.co.uk/blog/when-physiotherapy-london-works-towards-your-bodybuilding-goals#ref-3) We often spend the first session unpacking training load (how many heavy sessions have stacked up in the last four weeks), sleep and total weekly workload, before adjusting the programme. Trap-bar or Romanian deadlifts can replace the conventional pull for a phase. Our [lower back pain relief guide](https://ckphysio.co.uk/blog/physiotherapists-share-best-lower-back-stretches-pain-relief) has the mobility and strength work we usually prescribe. ### Elbow pain from curls and pulling (tennis and golfer's elbow) Lateral epicondylalgia (tennis elbow) and medial epicondylalgia (golfer's elbow) show up in bodybuilders when biceps and back volume climb quickly. The tendon has not had time to adapt. The usual answer is not to stop pulling, but to lower the volume, add isometric holds for the painful tendon, and reintroduce slow eccentric curls over four to six weeks. Our [five tennis elbow exercises](https://ckphysio.co.uk/blog/5-physiotherapy-exercises-tennis-elbow-rehabilitation) post gives a worked example. ### Knee pain when squatting Patellar tendinopathy and patellofemoral pain are the usual culprits. Both respond to depth and tempo adjustments rather than cutting squats out. We will often programme a block of slower tempo squats to a controlled depth, add a tendon-specific loading drill such as a Spanish squat isometric, and taper you back to full-range work over several weeks. ### Pec tears: why a “pop” on the bench needs urgent assessment A sudden pop or a visible dent near the armpit during a heavy bench press is one of the few lifting injuries that needs same-day medical attention rather than a physio appointment. A 2019 systematic review in *Sports Health* looked at outcomes after pectoralis major repair and reported that around 90 percent of athletes returned to sport, but only about 74 percent returned at their pre-injury level, with a mean return-to-sport time of 6.1 months.[4](https://ckphysio.co.uk/blog/when-physiotherapy-london-works-towards-your-bodybuilding-goals#ref-4) Early surgical opinion matters, so if this happens to you, go to A&E or your GP first and ask about an orthopaedic referral, then come to us for rehab. ### Pelvic floor symptoms in lifters An often-missed issue, particularly in female lifters. The 2024 *BMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine* review found a high prevalence of pelvic floor dysfunction, including stress urinary incontinence under load, in weightlifters and powerlifters.[2](https://ckphysio.co.uk/blog/when-physiotherapy-london-works-towards-your-bodybuilding-goals#ref-2) If you notice leaking during heavy squats or deadlifts, or a dragging sensation after lifting, this is treatable and worth raising with a physiotherapist. It is not something you have to accept as part of training heavy. **Not sure which category your pain falls into?** Book a lifting-specific assessment with one of our Chartered Physiotherapists. [Book an assessment](https://ckphysio.co.uk/bookings) ## Should you stop lifting when it hurts? The pain-monitoring model In most cases, no. The best-evidenced framework for training through tendon and muscle pain is the pain-monitoring model, developed by Karin Silbernagel and colleagues in a 2007 randomised controlled trial of Achilles tendinopathy published in the *American Journal of Sports Medicine*.[5](https://ckphysio.co.uk/blog/when-physiotherapy-london-works-towards-your-bodybuilding-goals#ref-5) The patients who kept training with a simple set of rules did at least as well as those who rested. The pain-monitoring model, in three rules 1. Pain during training is acceptable up to 5 out of 10 on a 0 to 10 scale. 2. Pain should settle back to its baseline by the following morning. 3. Pain and function must not get worse week to week. If you can keep inside those three rules, you can usually keep lifting. If you cannot, that is useful information: it means the current load is too high for the tissue right now, and a physiotherapist can help you work out what to drop and what to keep. ### Soreness versus injury: how to tell the difference Delayed-onset muscle soreness is diffuse, feels symmetrical when it should (you worked both quads, both are sore), peaks at 24 to 48 hours and eases with movement. An injury tends to be pinpoint, one-sided, sharper, and either lingers past 72 hours or gets worse the next time you load it. A good rule of thumb: if the same movement at the same load reproduces the pain across three sessions in a row, it is time to look at it rather than train through it. ### Training around an injury: substitutions that keep the stimulus The point of a substitution is to keep training the same muscle at a dose it can tolerate, so you do not lose adaptations while you rehab. A few common swaps we use: - **Shoulder:** swap barbell bench for a slight-incline dumbbell press, floor press or landmine press for a few weeks. - **Lower back:** swap the conventional deadlift for a trap-bar or Romanian deadlift; swap the back squat for a safety-bar or front squat. - **Elbow:** keep pulling but reduce supinated grip; use a neutral grip pull-up or seated row for a block. - **Knee:** reduce squat depth, slow the eccentric and add a Spanish squat or split squat variation. ### When to deload and when to book an appointment Deload if pain is low grade, you have run four or more hard weeks in a row and sleep or life stress has been high. Book an appointment if pain is above 5 out of 10 during training, is getting worse week to week, is waking you at night, or is pinpoint on a tendon that is tender to touch. If in doubt, call us for a quick phone chat before booking in. ## What happens at a physio assessment for lifters at CK Physio The first appointment is a conversation as much as a hands-on examination. We want to understand the lifter in front of us, not just the sore joint, because the training context is usually where the answer lives. ### Your training history and load review We will ask what you train, how often, how it is structured, what has changed in the last six to eight weeks and what is coming up (meet prep, a cut, a holiday). Bring your training log if you have one, including a rough sense of weekly sets per muscle group. Patterns usually emerge quickly. ### Watching you lift, in clinic or from video We ask lifters to send a short video of the painful lift ahead of the appointment where possible, or to perform it in clinic. We are not looking for a “perfect” lift; we are looking for how the pain presents under load, which joints are doing the work, and what varies from set to set. ### Strength and symptom testing, and why we don’t rely on “injury prediction” screens Popular pre-season movement screens have not held up well in the research as predictors of future injury. The evidence base is clear enough that we do not sell “injury prediction” assessments at CK Physio. What we do instead is lift-specific testing: symptom provocation (does this movement reproduce your pain), strength testing on the painful side versus the other side, and tendon-loading tests where relevant. ### Your plan: in-clinic sessions plus your gym programme You will leave with two things: a short list of changes to your current programme (what to swap, what to keep, what to drop for a few weeks), and a small number of tendon- or joint-specific exercises to add in. We usually review you every two to three weeks until the pain is settled and you are back on the full programme. ## Evidence-based treatments for strength athletes A good rehab plan is almost always built around progressive loading. The treatments listed here are adjuncts that help you tolerate that loading, not stand-alone fixes. ### Progressive loading and heavy slow resistance The strongest evidence for most lifting injuries, especially tendons, is progressive loading. A typical heavy slow resistance protocol is three sets of six to ten reps, three times a week, with the tempo controlled (around three seconds up and three seconds down). It is not glamorous, but it works, and it fits inside a bodybuilder’s programme without too much friction. ### PEACE & LOVE for acute strains For acute soft-tissue injuries, the modern replacement for RICE is PEACE & LOVE, described by Dubois and Esculier in the *British Journal of Sports Medicine* in 2020.[6](https://ckphysio.co.uk/blog/when-physiotherapy-london-works-towards-your-bodybuilding-goals#ref-6) The short version is: Protect for a few days, Elevate, Avoid anti-inflammatories early, Compress, Educate; and then Load, apply Optimism, Vascularisation (easy cardio), and Exercise. Rest for weeks on end is no longer the advice. ### Blood flow restriction (BFR) training: who it suits and its limits Blood flow restriction uses a specialist cuff to partially restrict blood flow during low-load exercise. It can be useful when you cannot load heavily, for example after knee surgery or during a tendon flare that will not tolerate normal weights. Current evidence suggests low-load BFR outperforms matched low-load training, but does not reliably beat heavy training for strength or hypertrophy. We treat it as a clinician-supervised bridge, not a muscle-growth shortcut, and we only use it when the clinical picture fits. ### Manual therapy and sports massage: what they can and can’t do [Manual therapy](https://ckphysio.co.uk/manual-therapy-ck-physiotherapy-in-west-london) and [sports massage](https://ckphysio.co.uk/blog/sports-massage-therapy-benefits-preventative-injuries) can offer short-term symptom relief and can help you tolerate the loading programme you need to do. They are not a stand-alone treatment for tendon or back pain, and the research does not support claims that massage alone speeds up long-term tissue recovery. Use them as part of a plan, not instead of one. ### Shockwave therapy for stubborn tendinopathy Extracorporeal shockwave therapy is an option worth discussing when a tendon problem has not settled after three or more months of good loading rehab. NICE’s interventional procedures guidance for Achilles tendinopathy notes no major safety concerns but describes the efficacy evidence as inconsistent, and recommends special arrangements for clinical governance, consent and audit.[7](https://ckphysio.co.uk/blog/when-physiotherapy-london-works-towards-your-bodybuilding-goals#ref-7) Similar language applies to refractory tennis elbow and greater trochanteric pain syndrome.[8](https://ckphysio.co.uk/blog/when-physiotherapy-london-works-towards-your-bodybuilding-goals#ref-8) We offer [shockwave therapy at our Hanwell clinic](https://ckphysio.co.uk/treatments/shockwave-therapy) as an adjunct for persistent tendon pain, not as a first-line accelerator. If your tendinopathy has settled with exercise rehab, you do not need it. ## Pre-hab: staying injury-resilient through bulks, cuts and PR attempts Most lifting injuries are triggered by load changes rather than bad technique. The three windows where we see them most often are when weekly volume jumps up suddenly, during an aggressive cut and in the week or two before a competition or heavy PR attempt. ### Programming principles that lower injury risk Progressive overload works best in small, repeatable increments. If weekly sets per muscle group jump by more than about 20 to 30 percent compared with the previous block, that is where niggles tend to appear. Build in a planned deload every four to six weeks, keep one or two technique sessions in the programme and treat sleep as part of the training plan. ### Accessory work that protects shoulders, elbows and the lower back The accessories most lifters skip are the ones most likely to hold up to scrutiny: external rotator work (face pulls, band pull-aparts), direct trap work (shrugs), hamstring hinges (Romanian deadlifts, nordics), and dedicated core work that does not just bias the lower back (dead bugs, loaded carries). These do not need to be heavy. They need to be consistent. ### Sleep, energy availability and cutting-phase risk Hard, long cuts are a well-known source of injuries. Recovery drops when calories drop, strength drops, and the lifts you tried to hold on to start to slip. If you are deep into a prep or a cut, treat niggles seriously and come in earlier. Our spoke article on [physiotherapy for competitive bodybuilders](https://ckphysio.co.uk/blog/how-physiotherapy-works-competitive-bodybuilding-healthier-you) covers posing-related issues and the specific risks of the final weeks of prep. ## Return to heavy lifting: realistic timelines Timelines in the table below are typical ranges, not fixed numbers. Individual recovery varies with training history, prior injuries, sleep, nutrition, age and the specifics of the injury. Your physiotherapist will refine the window for you. | Condition | Typical rehab window | Return-to-lift criteria | | --- | --- | --- | | Rotator cuff tendinopathy | 6–12 weeks | Pressing at previous working weight without symptom flare; symmetrical external rotation strength | | Non-specific low back pain | 2–8 weeks | Tolerating full-range squat and deadlift at submaximal loads without symptom flare | | Tennis / golfer’s elbow | 6–16 weeks | Full grip strength; pulling at prior volume without 24-hour flare | | Patellar tendinopathy | 12–24 weeks | Pain ≤ 3/10 on heavy slow resistance; symmetrical single-leg squat strength | | Pectoralis major repair (post-surgery) | Around 6 months to return to sport[4](https://ckphysio.co.uk/blog/when-physiotherapy-london-works-towards-your-bodybuilding-goals#ref-4) | Surgeon’s clearance; graded return to pressing under physio supervision | ## Red flags: when to see a GP or go to A&E instead **The symptoms below mean urgent medical review, not a physio appointment.** - A sudden pop with bruising or a visible change in muscle shape (likely pec or distal biceps rupture). - New bladder or bowel changes, saddle numbness, or progressive leg weakness alongside back pain. These can signal cauda equina syndrome and are a medical emergency — call 999 or go to A&E. - Chest pain, palpitations or breathlessness during training. - Unexplained weight loss, fever or night pain with back symptoms. - Inability to bear weight after a fall or impact. If you are not sure, call [NHS 111](https://www.nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/nhs-services/urgent-and-emergency-care/nhs-111/) or your GP. When these are ruled out, we are happy to pick up the rehab. One more thing worth saying honestly: if you are using anabolic steroids or other performance-enhancing drugs, please tell your physiotherapist. We are not here to judge, and the conversation stays confidential. It matters clinically because PED use can affect tendon stiffness, cardiovascular risk and recovery times, and we will plan around it more safely if we know. ## Physio for lifters in Hanwell, Ealing and West London CK Physio has been treating patients in West London since 2003. Our clinic is at 57 Elthorne Avenue, Hanwell, W7 2JY, a short walk from Boston Manor Underground station and a few minutes from Ealing Broadway by bus. We see lifters from across W7, W5, W13, W4, UB1, UB2 and TW8, as well as people travelling in from Chiswick, Acton, Southall and Brentford. You can read more about the sports and lifting side of what we do on our [sports physiotherapy in West London](https://ckphysio.co.uk/sports-physiotherapy-treatments-in-west-london) page. You do not need a GP referral to see a physiotherapist privately. The NHS supports self-referral to physiotherapy for most musculoskeletal problems,[9](https://ckphysio.co.uk/blog/when-physiotherapy-london-works-towards-your-bodybuilding-goals#ref-9) and private clinics such as ours work the same way. If you are claiming on private health insurance, your insurer may ask for a referral; it is worth checking before you book. If you prefer the NHS route, our [NHS vs private physiotherapy comparison](https://ckphysio.co.uk/blog/nhs-vs-private-physiotherapy-in-ealing) covers the trade-offs honestly. All of our clinicians are Chartered Physiotherapists, registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). “Physiotherapist” is a legally protected title in the UK, and HCPC registration is the standard to look for whichever clinic you choose.[10](https://ckphysio.co.uk/blog/when-physiotherapy-london-works-towards-your-bodybuilding-goals#ref-10) You can see our current session fees on our [bookings page](https://ckphysio.co.uk/bookings). **Ready to speak to a Chartered Physiotherapist about your training?** Book online, or call us for a short chat if you’re not sure whether physio is the right call. [Book an assessment](https://ckphysio.co.uk/bookings)[Call 020 8566 4113](tel:+442085664113) ## Frequently asked questions ### Should I keep lifting with a shoulder or elbow niggle? In most cases, yes, with modifications. If pain stays at 5 out of 10 or below during training, settles by the next morning and does not get worse week to week, continuing to train is usually fine. If it breaks any of those rules, book an assessment so we can adjust your programme before the problem settles in. ### Do I need a GP referral to see a physio for a gym injury? No. In the UK you can self-refer to a private physiotherapist directly. Some insurers require a GP referral before they will cover sessions, so if you plan to claim on insurance, check with them first. ### How long does a pec tear take to recover from? After surgical repair, published return-to-sport times average around 6 months, with the majority of athletes returning to their sport but a smaller proportion returning to their pre-injury level.[4](https://ckphysio.co.uk/blog/when-physiotherapy-london-works-towards-your-bodybuilding-goals#ref-4) Partial tears managed non-surgically typically take a similar timeframe for a full return to heavy benching. ### Is lower back pain after deadlifts normal? Some stiffness after heavy pulling is common and usually short-lived. Pain that lingers past 48 hours, is pinpoint rather than diffuse, or keeps coming back at the same loads is a reason to look at your programme and get assessed. ### Can a physio help with my squat, bench or deadlift technique? Yes, within reason. Our role is to spot movement patterns that are feeding the pain and to suggest changes that lower symptoms without hurting your training. We are not coaches, so we work alongside your coach where you have one. ### Is blood flow restriction training safe? Under clinician supervision, with correctly measured limb occlusion pressure and the right exercise selection, serious adverse events in rehab settings are rare. It is not suitable for everyone, and we screen for contraindications (such as a history of blood clots) before using it. ### Does shockwave therapy work for tendinopathy? The evidence is mixed. NICE describes the efficacy evidence as inconsistent and recommends special arrangements for consent and audit when it is used.[7](https://ckphysio.co.uk/blog/when-physiotherapy-london-works-towards-your-bodybuilding-goals#ref-7) In our clinic we offer it as an adjunct for stubborn tendon pain that has not responded to a solid loading programme, not as a first-line treatment. ### What’s the difference between a sports massage and physiotherapy? A sports massage focuses on soft-tissue techniques to ease muscle tightness and support recovery. Physiotherapy includes assessment, diagnosis and a progressive rehab plan tailored to your training, with manual therapy or massage used alongside loading work where appropriate. ### Should I tell my physio if I use performance-enhancing drugs? Yes, confidentially. It affects your risk profile, particularly tendon stiffness and cardiovascular considerations, and it changes how we plan rehab. Our clinicians take a non-judgemental approach and will signpost you to appropriate services if you want further support. ### How much does an assessment cost at CK Physio? Our current session fees are listed on our [bookings page](https://ckphysio.co.uk/bookings). If you have questions before you book, call us on 020 8566 4113. About the author **Bryan Kelly, Chartered Physiotherapist (MCSP, HCPC)** Bryan founded CK Physio in 2003 and has been treating patients in West London since 1997. He is a Chartered Physiotherapist, a member of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (MCSP) and registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).   ## References 1. Keogh JWL, Winwood PW. The Epidemiology of Injuries Across the Weight-Training Sports. *Sports Medicine*. 2017;47(3):479–501. [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27328853/](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27328853/) 2. Tung MJ, Lantz GA, Lopes AD, Berglund L. Injuries in weightlifting and powerlifting: an updated systematic review. *BMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine*. 2024;10(4):e002104. [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39650568/](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39650568/) 3. NHS. Back pain. NHS.uk; last updated 2025. [https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/back-pain/](https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/back-pain/) 4. Yu J, Zhang C, Horner N, et al. Outcomes and Return to Sport After Pectoralis Major Tendon Repair: A Systematic Review. *Sports Health*. 2019;11(2):134–141. [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30543493/](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30543493/) 5. Silbernagel KG, Thomeeé R, Eriksson BI, Karlsson J. Continued sports activity, using a pain-monitoring model, during rehabilitation in patients with Achilles tendinopathy: a randomized controlled study. *American Journal of Sports Medicine*. 2007;35(6):897–906. [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17307888/](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17307888/) 6. Dubois B, Esculier JF. Soft-tissue injuries simply need PEACE and LOVE. *British Journal of Sports Medicine*. 2020;54(2):72–73. [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31377722/](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31377722/) 7. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. Extracorporeal shockwave therapy for Achilles tendinopathy (IPG571). NICE; 2016. [https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ipg571](https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ipg571) 8. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. Extracorporeal shockwave therapy for refractory tennis elbow (IPG313). NICE; 2009. [https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ipg313](https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ipg313) 9. NHS. Physiotherapy. NHS.uk; last updated 2024. [https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/physiotherapy/](https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/physiotherapy/) 10. Chartered Society of Physiotherapy. Why choose a Chartered Physiotherapist? CSP. 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