Being in year 10, I had to choose where I was to go for my work experience placement and bearing in mind I don’t know what I would like to be in the future this was not an easy task. I am interested in biology and anatomy and this got me thinking about a placement here at the Malmesbuury Clinic. I came hoping to find out about physiotherapy and osteopathy as well as treatments such as dry needling, all of which I viewed and experienced during my time here.

On day one, I viewed three separate patients where Pippa talked me through what each treatment intends to loosen and improve, including what manipulating and dry needling aims to do. I was also able to sit in a consultation with a new patient and experience how Pippa records the case history, seeing how each patient is treated from start to finish. After each patient I was becoming more and more interested in the practice and as I am looking to go down a career path that involves biology it was really interesting for me to see this branch of work and how it improves people’s lives.

The first Patient I saw on day two was to have a sports massage with Sarah. This was the first time I had seen a different treatment and I learned how sports massage therapists work predominately with the soft tissue and loosening the muscles whereas the osteopaths look more at the spine and neck and how the muscles link in with the bones and the skeletal system. Later on in the day, I sat in a couple of Stephen’s appointments and I began to understand more about how osteopaths look for the root of the problem rather than focusing on where it hurts. For example, if you had a sore right arm it may be coming from the left side of the neck, showing me how the job is similar to an investigation and looking for a solution to release the pain. Once the root is found the osteopath sets to work on manipulating and loosening the muscles around that area which in turn should help the area of soreness. Also, I learnt how the osteopaths and the sports massage therapists work with each other to provide the best treatment for the patient.

The next day began with some more viewings where I felt what a tight muscle felt like and how Pippa loosened it. After more manipulating and dry needling, I spoke with Saara one of the physiotherapists who told me that physiotherapy is often more to do with rehabilitation and getting the patient stronger. I came to the Clinic with an interest in Physiotherapy but as I have begun to understand what each practice entails I have become more intrigued with osteopathy and how the manipulating and trigger points work. Whilst talking to Richard I learnt how many osteopaths and physiotherapists come out of university wanting to set up their own practice and business but don’t know how to begin. I was told how important marketing and websites are and how having a good website can improve your chances of becoming more successful. So, to see how I could make my own website I was given a blank canvass and was allowed to design my own website which I have enjoyed doing.

On my final day, I was lucky enough to view a patient using Shockwave Therapy which I learnt was to help speed up the healing process of the tissue that uses a small hammer that repeatedly taps on the area where the treatment is needed. I also continued on with my website beginning to get to grips with the software and later on another viewing with a patient.

Overall, I enjoyed my time here at the Malmesbury Clinic and to begin with I wasn’t sure what the differences were of the different practitioners however, now I have learnt what they are and how they each aim to achieve their end goal of helping the patient. I have also gained a lot of knowledge about how marketing and websites are important for a business which will be valuable in the future if ever I find myself is the position of wanting to start my own practice. I would definitely recommend work experience here if anyone is looking to get a placement with a practice like this one. Even, if you are not too sure on what to expect there are many interesting lessons that you learn and I really enjoyed my time here.