PHYSIOTHERAPIST
Meet Jo Ponting- your Physiotherapist
I feel fortunate to have qualified over 20 years ago and still get the enjoyment and satisfaction of helping my clients achieve their goals. This might be to compete a charity walk or run when you have aches and pains and real worries that you can't complete! Or, perhaps it might be getting you through the marathon, or it could be as simple as reducing that hip pain so you can walk the dog, or perhaps your back pain is so bad you cant get your socks on. I get as much enjoyment working on elite athletes as I do recreational people...We all have goals!
I knew I wanted to be a physiotherapist from first hand experience of hurting myself. At the time, I was a GB athlete racing my mountain bike all over the Europe and the UK. I was young, inpatient and had no time scheduled for injury- I needed to be fixed yesterday. Fortunately, I have met some amazing physio mentors along my journey that that still inspire me today. It has meant, that I have first hand experience of what my clients are feeling and what they are missing and what you want from your physio.
The love of training and exercise physiology took me initially down a sports science route studying a BSc (Hons) Sports Therapy. This was a specific sports injuries, sports psychology and physiology degree and I loved all of it. After the degree, I worked with the British cycling under 23 road team and GB downhill teams and set up Back on Track from Andover Leisure Centre in 2005. What it didn't do however at that time, was allow me to work in the NHS.
Therefore, years later, I undertook another degree in physiotherapy gaining a First class honours and top student award. The depth of knowledge this provided was invaluable and has made me into a much more rounded health professional.
I have enjoyed many sports over the years, I grew up on a horse (scraggy ponies) played volleyball, tennis, golf, running (Snowdon half marathon was a highlight), downhill mountain biking, cross-country riding, enduro, motorbiking, squash, hiking, swimming, skiing, snow boarding- I think it is important your physio is active and has an idea of sports! I have two lovely daughters and a very supportive (also 2014 World MTB Champion) husband and a spotty Dalmatian dog, I understand what a busy working and family life is and how we may need to adapt our exercises to fit in.
It is fundamental to my practice that I keep up to date with the latest physiotherapy management and I enjoy reading scientific physiotherapy journals and attending online and in person courses as frequently as possible. My most recent training involved training as a pilates instructor in London and also attending the Society of Musculoskeletal Medicine foundation courses in Liverpool. You should expect a 'hands on' approach from me, with exercises to continue in your own time at home. I will refer you for MRI imaging, orthopaedics, sports medicine specialist consultants or other consultants with your consent if I deem necessary.
Qualifications
Joanna Ponting at Back on Track holds the following qualifications to ensure you receive expert treatment from the moment your treatment begins:
Associate member of the Society of Musculoskeletal Medicine (SOMM)
APPI trained Pilates Matwork instructor
BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy
Batchelor of Science (Hons) Sports Therapy
National Diploma in Sports Science
City and Guilds Coaching awards
Sports Medicine First Aid
Additional continued professional development courses
Registered with the Chartered Society of Physiotherapists and Health Professions Council
