As people age they start to make little noises every time they get out of a chair – groans, or weird little exhalations. Niggling pains and aches, particularly in the neck and back, are accepted as an invariable part of the march of later life.
Deborah O’Flynn, however, is adamant that this need not be the case. She should know – a physiotherapist for over 10 years, her business on Lower Cork Street sees all sorts of customer, from kids going through growing pains, to members of Mitchelstown GAA and rugby teams, and Ballygiblin GAA.
“Movement is key. A lot of people think that the aches they feel as they get older are part of the ageing process, but that’s not true. There’s almost always something we can do to help them”.
Deborah worked in Douglas for almost ten years before taking leave to have her baby. When her daughter was four weeks old, Deborah was diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma and two weeks later was having chemo. In full health today, she opened Revive Physiotherapy last October, and has seen how lockdown has changed her clientele’s needs.
“Back in 2020, people were really great at getting outside, being good to exercise and move, but I think now people are slipping back into their old ways. Working from home, a lot of people are working even longer hours and sometimes literally spend the day sitting down. Standing desks are great, and people had those in their office but working from home, they don’t have the correct set up.”
At revive physiotherapy they offer expertise on ergonomics, as well as small classes of low-impact Pilates and sports massage. Deborah is from Ballygiblin, and works alongside another physio, Louise Whitely, a Kilkenny native but living in Watergrasshill.
When it comes to sport, Deborah says the key is to listen to the body.
‘Myself and Louise have run half marathons and a few full marathons each. I know that the toll of the full marathon is just a little too much for my body whereas I can do half marathons without any ill effects. It’s about listening to your body and not pushing through when something doesn’t feel quite right.”
Other factors tell on the body too, as sugar and wheat are linked to inflammation, and water (or lack of it) is behind a lot of injuries.
“We are a physiotherapy centre so we don’t lecture of give diet advice, however, I would say that cleaning up the diet can be invaluable. We see a lot of injuries too through dehydration – the lads who go out for the weekend, and then have an injury on the Monday when they’re still dehydrated would be common enough!”
Most people will be up and running after just six sessions of physio, and the physiotherapist knows when the effects should be seen.
“If someone isn’t improving after say, seven session, there’s something else wrong, and we ask them to see their GP and perhaps to try something else. There’s no point in continuing if there’s no change.”
Sessions are €60 and initially for 45 minutes, with follow-ups 30 mins long. Deep tissue and sports massages are also available at Revive Physiotherapy for €45. The centre sees a huge number of clients from Limerick, and their online booking system offers both early and evening appointments to work around the working schedule.
You can book online and contact the team at revivephysio.ie, visit them on Lower Cork Street, Mitchelstown, or call 025 41752.
As a medical service, all staff and customers will be wearing masks for the time being while undergoing sessions.
Contact: Revive Physiotherapy, Lower Cork Street, Mitchelstown | t: 025 41752 | w: revivephysio.ie
