40-year-old Richard Taylor-Jones is the Managing Director of Leeds-based digital marketing agency Digital Velocity. A keen footballer, Richard represented Honley FC, a team based close to his home town of Holmfirth, until a serious ankle injury, sustained during a game, left him side-lined and in need of medical treatment. Worse still, the injury occurred just two weeks before his wedding.
Doctors advised Richard to apply ice to his ankle, rest and take painkillers if necessary. However, anxious to return to the football pitch as soon as possible and worried that he might miss his first dance, Richard decided to consult a physiotherapist for further advice before the big day. His mum recommended Physio Med, having previously worked with its Clinical Director, Mark Fletcher.
After an initial assessment, Mark helped Richard reduce the swelling in his ankle, increase his mobility and strengthen his ankle by carrying out a variety of physiotherapy treatments, as well as advising him about exercises he could carry out at home to help speed up his recovery.
Happily, the treatments worked, allowing Richard to dance at his wedding and return to the football pitch.
Richard said: “If it wasn’t for Mark, I’m not sure I ever would have fully recovered from the twisted ankle I suffered. It was a really shocking injury – I dislocated my ankle but it also somehow relocated itself, which tore several tendons. The doctors said it would actually have been better if I had broken it as it would have healed quicker. But, thanks to physiotherapy speeding up my recovery time and reducing the pain in my ankle, I was back playing competitive football again within a few months and, almost as importantly, I was able to dance at my wedding and go on honeymoon to Hawaii!
“For any other footballers suffering with an injury, or easing themselves into the new season, I’d absolutely recommend physiotherapy. There are many injuries you might not think physio could help with but that’s not the case - Mark has helped me with a number of other injuries over the years and it makes a real difference. In fact, I’m currently seeing him again to ensure I’m in good shape for the new season.”
Left: Richard's ankle before treatment.
