Barbara Trant - MISCP
Meet your physiotherapist!
Hi! I’m Barbara and I specialise in Neck Pain for over 11 years and Postpartum Corrective Exercise for 2 years. I started to specialise in treating Neck Pain after doing my Masters in Clinical Physiotherapy in Perth, Australia (2011) where I focused on management of complex spinal pain and whiplash associated injuries.
I subsequently set up my first specialist neckcare service in 2016 to cater for those particularly with more complex neck pain problems. This service is available in Galway Bay Physio – see ‘Neckcare Pro’. I decided to become a postpartum core exercise specialist (PCES) after becoming a Mum and racing back to exercise too quickly – causing myself a range of injuries from worsening back pain and hiatus hernia as well as a severe right calf tear.
Why did you choose to be a physiotherapist?
I initially chose to become a physiotherapist after treatment of ankle and hand injuries I got playing sports…I was sports crazy growing up, and was especially into basketball, which I played at top level!
What is your favourite thing about being a physiotherapist?
My favourite thing now about being a physiotherapist is helping clients ‘who’ve already tried everything’ to resolve complex neck and back problems. I love providing solutions for pain relief and empowering clients, especially Mums, to be healthy, strong and confident in their bodies!
Tell us a story of a patient that you were able to help?
Marie (not her real name) – came to GBP after 6 months of progressively worsening neck pain following a diagnosis of a disc bulge. Due to severe neck and arm pain, she had to stop work and all of her favourite activities – including yoga & running. She wasn’t quite ready to go the surgical route and already had a lumbar disc bulge discectomy. Despite being fit, the combination of having three kids and a spinal disc bulges led to her having quite a few compensatory patterns and muscle imbalance.
The challenge when treating complex and persistent problems like Marie’s, is to look at them ‘like a puzzle’ with lots of physical and non-physical pieces! My greatest pleasure as a physiotherapist is to deconstruct all of the issues at play and address them systematically… With this approach I was able to facilitate Marie back to pain-free function and return to doing the things she loves, which honestly was immensely rewarding all round!
Words of Wisdom!
So if you are experiencing persistent neck or back pain – particularly Mums with other postpartum issues (ab separation, bladder leaks etc) – my advice is to stop looking for one off treatments, trying random ad-hoc approaches maybe online off you-tube, or worse ignoring your symptoms… The reality is stretches, massages or indefinitely taking pain medication won’t solve the underlying factors that are keeping you stuck living your life in pain!
I know motherhood can be an incredibly challenging time, especially for new Mums and time itself can be hard to come by. But if you are experiencing persistent spinal pain or postpartum issues I strongly recommend that you put yourself FIRST and make wise decisions about your health that will stand to you in the future.
About Barbara!
Barbara is a highly qualified Chartered Physiotherapist and has vast experience in the rehabilitation of musculoskeletal, orthopaedic, sports and foot injuries through the use of techniques such as manual therapy, therapeutic and functional exercise, acupuncture and orthotic/insole prescription where appropriate.
Barbara qualified as a physiotherapist from Royal College of Surgeons in 2005 and subsequently completed her Masters degree in Clinical Physiotherapy (2011) from Curtin University, Perth, Australia, where she graduated with a first class honours. Prior to this she obtained an honours degree in Sports Rehabilitation from St. Mary’s University, London in 2000. Barbara also has additional qualifications in western acupuncture, dry needling and orthotic prescription. She has extensive experience working in large private practices in both Ireland and Australia over the last 16 years.
Barbara has particular interest and expertise in the management of complex musculoskeletal and spinal disorder and provides a specialist service for managing chronic neck pain and traumatic neck injuries – including whiplash associated disorder.
She has more recently qualified as a Pregnancy & Postpartum Corrective Exercise Specialist since becoming a Mother herself!…and offers a comprehensive assessment and management approach to deal with a variety of issues from pregnancy related Back Pain (or sciatica), Abdominal Separation and Pelvic Floor dysfunction for all you new or not so new Moms.
In summary Barbara is dedicated to providing the highest standard of care. She will go that extra step to ensure that you fully understand the cause of your problem and will provide treatment that targets your individual functional needs.
Barbara works from our Galway City Clinic