Testimonials
Some of the testimonials we have received are listed in these pages.
Click on the person's name to see their comments.
- Bryony Bevitt
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I can't praise Physio 4 life highly enough. Mark diagnosed my injury (which the A&E doctor missed) and has provided fantastic rehab, support before and after my knee surgery and now has me back playing sport within 6 months. I am always able to get an appointment when I want to and the staff are always just an email or call away if I have needed any advice in between appointments. I am fitter and stronger than I have ever been and although looking forward to being signed off fully fit will miss the weekly visits to Putney!
- Katie Wells
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Physio4Life do so much more than merely provide physio.During my preliminary examination they identified a problem with my neck and immediately referred me back to my GP.Following surgery my Consultant told me that had Physio4Life not been as thorough I could have sufferedlong term permanent damage to my neck. A thoroughly professionalset-up. Katie Wells
- Chrissie Wellington - World Ironman Champion 2007
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Physio4Life was recommended to me when I returned to the UK after winning the World Iron Man Championship in October 2007. The centre provides the ideal 'one-stop-shop' for everything an athlete could need – physiotherapy, massage, acupuncture, personal training, nutritional advice, gait analysis, pilates and much more besides. The practitioners are consummate professionals and most importantly, communicate regularly with each other to develop a holistic approach to injury prevention and treatment. This really helped when I had a shoulder problem and was able to get physio, acupuncture and massage under one roof and quickly managed to nip the nasty niggle in the bud! Massage is something that I take really seriously, and I am obsessed with getting a high quality rub down once a week. The deep sports massage I got at Physio4Life definately helped me recover from the stresses and strains that professional triathlon places on my body, and ensured I remained fit, reinvigorated and injury free. I was particularly impressed with the masseur’s deep knowledge of biomechanics, and an understanding of what I specifically needed. I have absolutely no hesitation in recommending Physio4Life to anyone, regardless of whether they do sport or not! Chrissie Wellington, World Iron Man Champion 2007
- Simon Rey
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Mark,I just wanted to say 'thanks' for all the training tips, physio and massages from you (and Evelyn).I got round without stopping and with zero shin pains, so well done you!I will mention Physio4Life to friends who may wish to do run marathons in the future.....that was my first and last!Thanks again,Simon
- Clare Fiore
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I started using the sports massage services at Physio4Life about four months ago due to a trapped spinal nerve. I had tried Osteopathy treatment unsuccessfully and was receiving physiotherapy treatment for the same problem somewhere else but did not feel that I was getting results very quickly so I decided to try Physio4Life's physiotherapy services. After receiving treatment from Mark for just five weeks, I have seen a substantial improvement in my condition and feel that I am now finally on the road to recovery. I would highly recommend them to anyone.Clare
- Simon Rooney
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I am not a natural user of a gym, so when I met Mark Saunders some weeks before he opened Physio4Life, I assumed that our relationship would be purely social. For Christmas that year, I was given a number of personal training sessions with Daniel Wellard...I admit to thinking that socks would have been a better gift!! How wrong I was! From the beginning, I found that this was no ordinary health making facility. Daniel's first and foremost interest was in me - what did I want to achieve, how could we make it fun and yet beneficial...not for him, the gym membership that is unused after the 1st February (when all New Year resolutions are automatically cancelled!). Physio4Life is so much more than just Daniel and his excellent Personal Training. I've benefited from the 'one-stop' care and 'friends' style environment...Mark was interested and concerned when I admitted to still having problems with an old shoulder injury - something unfixed by months at a previous physio...he had a quick look at it, and then it was straight down the corridoor to one of his excellent team of physio's. I have to admit to enjoying my visits to Physio4Life. Try it - and you'll be back for more!!
- Simon Wurr 2
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Another update for Mark… I won the UK Inter County Championships in late May and backed this up with a new best time over 1500 metres (3:52) – am now the fastest man over 30 in Britain!! To cap it all off, I ran a new personal best of 8:56 for the 3000 metre steeplechase in the British League in Swansea – my PB had stood for 10 years and this means I now have the qualifying time to compete in the GB trials in late July. This run was all the more pleasing as I led from start to finish and I’m sure that in a proper race I could go faster still. I thought I’d never get back under 9 minutes and am still buzzing from it!! Thanks so much for all your help – I just can’t believe how well this summer is going. I even did a leg of the welsh castles relay for Thames Hare & Hounds and ran a time over the hilly 12.3 mile route I did that equates to equalling my half marathon PB (and I haven’t been doing any mileage at all – nothing above 10 miles now for weeks). My mileage is still low but the intensity of the track sessions I’ve been doing has been very high. I’ve been lucky enough to train with top GB international Jermaine Mays and I’ve even pipped him in a few reps – he ran 3:39 for 1500 metres last week (plus 8:30 for the 3k s/c) so is not bad!! Best wishes
- Simon Wurr
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Dear Mark,Just a quick update on how my return to training has been going…It’s all very exciting; since I started back in late Feb my sessions have gone incredibly well. I’ve cut my mileage, ditched the ‘junk’ (slow) miles and upped the tempo of my runs. My Sunday run has been cut back to 6-8 miles and I’ve felt fresher for my reps sessions. I even take a day off or go swimming when tired…In April I set new best times for 3 road races that I have done before and my 13:54 for 2.85 miles was particularly pleasing.Last Sat 28th April I had my best start to the track season ever with 5:52 for the 2000m steeplechase and then last Saturday 5th May I had my fastest 3000 metre steeplechase in TEN YEARS!! The time I ran is my 2nd fastest ever and all this was done as a solo time trial as I won by about 100 metres. As a result, although it’s VERY early season I have a good UK ranking…Of course lots of the top UK athletes are yet to race so it’s not very meaningful but I was so pleased with my run. Training times have been at “best ever” levels every week for the last 4 or 5 and I took a whole 5 seconds off my best average for 5 x 1k on the track off 3 mins rest at training last night.Some of this is down to my improved diet (no biscuits, far fewer puddings, more fruit and veg) but also down to the advice you gave me about focussing on quality and not quantity. I’ve been doing my stretches religiously and maintained my body weights programme that I do every night. So far so good – thank you for all your help in this!!!Best wishes
- Jenny Cunis
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Physio4life has given me excellent treatment and support, providing a combination of physiotherapy, pain management and clinical Pilates for a lower back problem. Since being treated at Physio4life, I have achieved significant improvement both in my day-to-day life and well-being. Their highly professional staff have been most helpful at all times.
- Dora Clarke
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Dan is an inspiration and definitely makes all the difference to me even getting to a gym! He is thoughtful and kind and whilst he pushes you when needed he is sensitive to your own needs. His knowledge and experience inspires the utmost confidence and you know you are in safe hands.
- Helen Tapp - Orthopaedic Nursing Sister
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Since my back injury in 2003 which required surgery I have found Pilates classes an enjoyable step in my rehabilitation back to normal life. I have found that my posture and lower back strength has improved, due to the fact that with Pilates I am able to transfer the classes exercises into how I stand and move during the day. This in turn helps with my lower back pain after a hard day at work. I have always found the classes friendly, small and fun.
- Scott Stanley - Personal Trainer
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Before starting Pilates I regularly suffered from a stiff sore back despite staying fit through more traditional training techniques. Since joining the Pilates classes at Physio4Life I feel stronger and more supple through my midsection, my posture feels great and I have no back pain.
- Richard Smith - Elite Rower
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Just a quick note to say thanks for being so good on Friday when I came in to see you about my shoulder/upper back. It's so nice to visit a place like yours and see the excellent relationship you obviously have with Cambridge University Lightweight Rowing Club, and that you are willing to extend the goodwill to the other Cambridge University clubs. I will forward your details to the rest of my club as a good place to visit if we require treatment on the tideway.
- David Austin
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I contacted Physio4Life after developing a forearm muscle strain at the gym. I was treated by Tessa. She was excellent: she began by asking me a lot of questions about my general health and then about my particular problem. In addition to the physiotherapy itself, Tessa gave me some exercises to do at home which she said would help correct the problem which had caused the injury in the first place. So she not only treated my immediate concerns - she also took preventive action to stop my injuries recurring. Tessa also linked the problem of my forearm to a previous muscle strain of my shoulder joint and long-standing problems with a stiff neck. In addition to the physiotherapy treatment she provided exercises to do at home to stabilise the whole shoulder joint. (During my treatment, I was involved in a traffic accident which damaged my hand. Tessa again provided physiotherapy for this which helped the healing process enormously. Again she gave me exercises to strengthen the tendons). I would strongly recommend Tessa. She provides great expertise in friendly, informal way.
- Rachel Smith
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Finishing the London Triathlon in August 2006 wouldn’t have been possible without the wonderful Barbara. Not only did she expertly treat my calf injury picked up 4 weeks before the race but she gave me the confidence to believe I could do it. Barb races in triathlons herself so she knew exactly what I was talking about and patiently listened to my boring tri stories! Thank you Barb!
- Siobhan Brownlow
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I’ve always been prone to injury with long distance running, so when I undertook to enter Ironman Austria 2006 back in October of last year, I knew I’d have my work cut for me in terms of injury management if I was going to be in any shape to run a marathon on race day. The Ironman race consists of a 3.8km swim, 180km bike and 42km run. At least with three sports to train for, my level of cross-training would be high, but sure enough I started encountering problems with achilles tendonitis as soon as the run mileage increased. By seeing Mark Saunders last November/December, I was able to get my achilles problem sorted out and got some orthotics for my running shoes which we hoped would stave off any further injuries. Luckily for me, with my endurance hours being built up on the bike rather than the run, I was able to sustain the mileage required in training and arrived in Austria fully fit on race day. I’m happy to say I had an incredible experience doing my first ever Ironman, and finished in 11hrs55mins with a sub 4hr30min marathon to my name – so absolutely delighted with the result. I should say my taste for long distance events has only strengthened through the experience, so come my next big challenge, I’m sure I’ll be back down at Physio4Life working on my injury prevention once again! My flexibility (or lack of it) will be the next phase in my training, though – so pilates exercises in the gym will form a welcome relief from the grind of heavy mileage.
- Tony Shaw - Triathlete
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Since having treatment for a long-term knee problem at Physio4Life I have returned to pain-free training and seen my running and cycling improves over a matter of weeks as my strength, flexibility and core stability continue to improve. After a number of years with the same niggling injury and several different treatments I have finally found a physiotherapist who has not only treated my initial complaint but also its underlying cause so that I am now becoming a much better athlete.
- Charlotte Carlsen
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Following an accident 14 months ago I was suddenly unable to continue with most aspects of daily life, including any form of exercise. After starting physiotherapy in September and finding myself improving slowly we decided to integrate Pilates into my rehabilitation program in order to speed up my recovery. I was quite sceptical at first as when I think of exercise it tends to involve running and sweating, as it was what I perceived to be more challenging. However, Pilates is very challenging, albeit in a different way, to my previously preferred types of exercise. Because your mind is required to engage with your body to perform the movements correctly, you experience a new awareness of muscle function and control. The increase in control of my core stability has been markedly improved. What attracted me to the Physio4Life sessions is the fact that the sessions are done with a certified teacher in closely supervised small groups, who understands my back injury and therefore sessions are tailored to your specific needs.
- Ken Hayden - Photographer
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I've had back pain for too many years and have seen many different Physiotherapists and Osteopaths around the world. After finally having an MRI scan, it was discovered that a prolapsed disc was the cause of my agony. I was faced with two choices, go under the surgeon's scalpel or work towards strengthening the muscles supporting (surrounding) my prolapsed disc. I chose against the 'quick fix' and started Physiotherapy with Mark Saunders and now use a personal trainer to maintain a healthy back and improve my fitness. I'm now pretty much sorted and see Mark only occasionally while carrying on with personal training which means I'm getting stronger and healthier than I've been since my 20's. The prolapse, I suppose, was a blessing in disguise and thanks to Mark Saunders and his team I've managed to stay off the 'butcher's block'.
- Claire Pay
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It was fantastic! 4 hrs 22 mins! I am delighted! (But it does mean I have to aim for 4 hrs if there is a next time!) In a lot of pain today though. Day was totally brilliant. Knees held up really well, only a little pain but nothing to stop me. The main problem was the lactic acid in IT band and every muscle in my thigh. That came on at about 18 and by 22 was killing! But I ran the whole way, 9 minute miling for most, then 10 mins, last 1.2 miles was 14 mins!!!! Thank you so much for all the treatment and positive advice - worked brilliantly, and there is no way I would have made the start without it! I will be sure to recommend you to friends in need of physio treatment.Am contemplating a massage, but think it would be too painful at the moment - am really struggling going downstairs! Thanks,
- Mark Watkin - Captain London Rowing Club
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Rowing relies heavily on core stability in the torso region and relaxation of all the major and minor muscle groups. The Pilates sessions that London Rowing Club has had with Jessica over the last two months have provided some great techniques that assist in improving core stability, relaxation and posture. All athletes that have attended the classes have been able to make improvements in different areas and put the methods into practice during training.
- Lois Curtis - Marathon runner and Active Lifestyle Coordinator for Croydon Council
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As an Active Lifestyles Coordinator I have worked with Gill Horgan on many of the active lifestyle programmes involving people at all stages of fitness and ability. Most of the participants have some medical conditions such as being overweight and having heart disease and as part of a multidisciplinary team she has been instrumental in delivering an appropriate and innovative way of addressing their nutritional issues. As a runner myself I ask Gill to help me prepare for the various races in order for me to achieve full fitness and to strive for a PB.
- Suki Brownsdon - 4 times ex Olympic swimmer and captain of the women's team
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Following advice and guidance from Gill I introduced sports drinks and more balanced mealtimes and recovery snacks into my training and noticed the difference almost immediately. I noticed a big improvement in my energy levels and recovery rates. Gill has also helped me to retain the best nutritional practices now that I have retired but I still enjoy exercise and good health. I often ask for advice on what to feed my 3 very active children.
- Veronica Vleck - Triathlon coach
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Gill has worked with several of the triathletes that I have coached. I cannot recommend her highly enough
