Meet your physiotherapist!
Hi! My name is Ciaran and I specialise in multiple areas of Physiotherapy, but in particular I like to treat those with long term pain, and sporting injuries. I started working in Essex in the United Kingdom working with High Level Sports Athletes and the General Public in 2009. I returned home to work in Dublin in 2010 and gradually worked my way back to Galway where I opened Galway Bay Physio in 2012. I have worked with numerous Professional and Amateur Sporting Organisations in the UK and Ireland.
Why did you choose to be a physiotherapist?
My sister was born severely Autistic and I am very close to her. I always had a desire to work within the healthcare industry and work with kids with special needs. That coupled with my love of all things sport resulted in me choosing a career as a physiotherapist.
What is your favourite thing about being a physiotherapist?
I really enjoy figuring out what it is that affects peoples lives, in terms of pain. To see people regain control of their live, painfree, is an extremely rewarding scenario. I also like the pressure of trying to get athletes back onto the pitch or being ready for an event.
The brain body connection is one of life’s mysteries. It is an extremely powerful connection that allows us to live our daily lives and perform our desired activities. However, when the connection is influenced in a negative way, i.e. when you are injured, it can be very limiting. Personally, I feel that understanding this connection is vital to any successful rehabilitation pathway. Often people can move, breathe and function abnormally after an injury, even though they may not know they are doing anything different. Therefore, I spend a lot of the time on education and empowering the ability of all patients to have a positive influence on the brain-body connection.
Tell us of some treatment options used to treat conditions.
Dry needling is a powerful treatment tool we use in the clinic. It has significant benefits and can help alleviate pain. It is a relatively quick and painfree process which can aid recovering from most, if not all ailments. However, it is only a “tool”, and there are many more tools which we use to allow for optimum recovery of our clients. This coupled with a comprehensive education and home exercise programme is an essential part of our provision of care.
Words of wisdom!
We are built to move, so we should keep going. I would recommend that you keep exercising if it doesn’t hurt. However, it must be guided by your therapist in order to achive the desired benefits. I would generally avoid stretching if it is painful as there is more benefit to regular, painfree movements.
Why should a potential client choose Galway Bay Physio?
At Galway Bay Physio, we try to provide a very relaxed friendly environment. Nothing formal, or no element of scaremongering. We offer a comprehensive service to educate, treat and solve whatever issues you may have. We are not in the game of getting people back in for multiple treatments unneccessarily. I have always had the ethos of “treat people the way you would like to treated”!!
About Ciaran!
Ciaran is our lead physiotherapist and founder of Galway Bay Physio, who qualified as a chartered physiotherapist following completion of a Masters in Physiotherapy in Robert Gordon Physiotherapy of Aberdeen. Prior to this he completed a four year Bachelor of Science Degree in Human Anatomy at NUI Galway. Since qualifying he has obtained a wealth of experience from working in a number of private practices and medical centres in the UK and Ireland.
Ciaran strives to deliver high quality individually tailored treatment programmes and rehabilitation, and also ensures that patients understand exactly what their specific problems are and most importantly how to cure them.
A keen rugby man Ciaran has worked extensively with leading athletes and sports participants having been involved with numerous sporting clubs in Ireland and the UK.
Meet your physiotherapist!
Hi I am Emmett Hartigan and I specialise in treating both neck/back pain and sports injuries. I have been treating neck/back pain since working under McKenzie specialists in King’s Cross Hospital in Dundee in 2009. I have been actively involved in treating high level sports athletes since working in Wanaka Physiotherapy, New Zealand in 2012.I also specialised in treating Cystic Fibrosis patients with exercise programmes and airway clearance techniques since 2010.
Why did you choose to be a physiotherapist?
I always had a love of all things science and engineering. I chose to study science in University and my fascination of musculoskeletal anatomy and how the human body moved and worked led me to choose physiotherapy as a career.
What is your favourite thing about being a physiotherapist?
Working with people and helping people overcome pain and achieve their goals is a huge aspect of the job which I love. I do also hugely enjoy the challenge of figuring out the less common/more complex conditions and how to help them.
Tell us some conditions you have been able to treat.
Lower back pain can be debilitating, painful and negatively affect all aspects of a person’s life. It is really important to get to the root cause of ‘why’ the person has developed pain in their lower back and to distinguish between the myths around lower back pain. There can be huge fear avoidance strategies which people subscribe to. Fear of the pain will cause them to move less which in turn make their pain worse etc. I often will show people who exhibit these types of behaviours good scientific research with MRI images of how even lumbar disc bulges heal and regress. This can put many people’s fear at bay. It’s also vital that they experience objective change during the session so they can see the changes they can make when doing their exercise programme. I will use some treatments such as dry needling or massage which can be uncomfortable but this needs to be followed by an objective performance on re-testing movement or strength. Once a patient experiences that, they understand the mechanism of their pain better and are better motivated to actively engage in the treatment programme.
Words of Wisdom!
Being a qualified Pilates instructor has greatly helped in my ability to prescribe exercise in the most detailed fashion. Often it is only minor adjustments that are required to make an average exercise into a very effective one and my experience has shown me that often this is what has been holding patients back with their progress. I would always recommend that a person keep moving even if they experience lower levels of pain. Generally, if movement is good for an injury it will not hurt in any way. Let your body and pain levels guide you. If it feels good to do a movement and there are no negative effects after that movement, then your body is telling you that it is the correct movement to make for you at that time. Gentle mobility is often better that active static stretching and pain levels should always guide the intensity of this.
Why should a potential client choose Galway Bay Physio?
Our goal at Galway Bay Physio is quality of treatment. We will always endeavour to do our best for our patients. thanks to the vast experience of our group of physios who colaboratively work together it is possible for inter-therapist referral within Galway Bay Physio so you can benefit of the combined knowledge and expertise of all of our therapists. Our multi-site locations also offer great convenience for patient’s home and work lives.
About Emmett!
Emmett is a Galway native who qualified as a Chartered Physiotherapist at the Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen, Scotland after completing an MSc (Pre-Reg) in Physiotherapy in 2008. This was following the completion of an honours degree in Anatomy in N.U.I. Galway in 2005.
Emmett began his career in Ninewells Hospital in Dundee, Scotland as a rotational physiotherapist, working in a variety of areas including musculoskeletal, respiratory, post-surgical rehabilitation, neurological rehabilitation, amputee rehabilitation and Cystic Fibrosis.
Emmett has extensive musculoskeletal and sports physiotherapy experience working with high performance athletes. He worked as the Team Physiotherapist for Galway United FC from 2014 to 2017 and has since then acted in a consultancy role to the club. He has also worked with the Connacht Rugby Academy, Liam Mellows hurling, the Connacht High Performance Swimming Centre and various teams and athletes in the Galway area.
Meet your physiotherapist!
Hi! My name is David Kelly and I specialise in Musculoskeletal(MSK) and Vestibular Physiotherapy. I have been practising as a physio for 7 years. I started as a Band 5 physio on rotations in St James Hospital, Leeds. I gathered a broad range of experience working on Major trauma, Intensive care, elderly and general medicine and outpatients. After two and a half years, I left the hospital to pursue my career in Muscoloskeletal Physiotherapy and stayed in Leeds working as junior and senior in private practice. In 2019, I moved back to Ireland and have continued to work in private practice. Over this time, I have been able to work with players from various teams including Galway united, Connacht rugby, Galway hurling underage players, and NUIG scholarship athletes.
Why did you choose to be a physiotherapist?
Initially I wanted to work with sports teams so that’s what got me into physio. Once I started working I realised I preferred working in clinic dealing with all sorts of injures with people from all walks of life.
What is your favourite thing about being a physiotherapist?
I enjoy helping someone who’s been suffering with chronic pain for a long time and being able to help them get back to their normal pain free self. I also enjoy the sports side, getting players fit to play and train as quickly as possible.
Tell us some conditions you have been able to treat.
Vestibular Physio primarily involves helping people who are suffering with vertigo and balance disorders. When patients present with true vertigo and are unable to move their head in a certain way because the room starts spinning, generally with 1-2 sessions we are able to resolve these issue and get these patient lives back to normal. The reoccurrence rate is about 50% over the next year but is easly managed with the right treatment.
I treat all MSK injures. I particularly enjoy treating knee pain. This comes from my time working on the lower limb outpatient’s team. I developed a really good understanding on the knee anatomy and pathophysiology. I have been able to help people avoid needing knee surgery by education and effective loading programs for the knee.
About David!
David is a Roscommon native who qualified as a chartered Physiotherapist in 2015 from The Manchester Metropolitan University. This was following the completion of a degree in Health Science and Physiology from Sligo I.T
David began his career in The Leeds Teaching Hospital Trust as a rotational Physiotherapist working on various areas including Major trauma, medicals, elderly and outpatients. David has been working a senior physiotherapy in private practice since 2017 gaining a wealth of experience in musculoskeletal and sports Physiotherapy. He is the physiotherapist for Roscommon Gaels senior and underage teams. David has also worked with players from the men’s and women’s Connacht academy teams and professional cycling teams.
David has takien a keen interest in Pilates and strength and conditioning. He has completed his Pilates mat work level one and unravelling strength conditioning course. David uses these skills with his one on one patients and teaches beginners Pilates.
Meet your physiotherapist!
Hi, my name is Rachel. I graduated from the University of Limerick last year and started working in Galway Bay Physio shortly after graduating. My main areas of interest include neck and back pain along with sports injuries. I have worked with athletes within a variety of sports including rugby, soccer, GAA, Irish dancing and rowing. I have experience working in the orthopaedic and respiratory wards within the hospital setting also.
Why did you choose to be a physiotherapist?
I initially decided I wanted to be a physiotherapist when I was probably about 14 years old. I injured myself playing football and found physio really helpful, not only to recover but also to help strengthen different muscles, which at the time, I would never have done. This helped with lots of different aspects of the sport which made me consider the career.
In school, I became interested in subjects such as biology. I became intrigued by the body and the way different systems within the body worked. I volunteered in a nursing home and school for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. This made me realise how much I enjoyed meeting new people with different stories and trying my best to understand everyone.
Eventually, when it came to the time to decide exactly what I wanted to do, I realised physiotherapy was a combination of everything I loved doing within one career.
What is your favorite thing about being a physiotherapist?
My favourite thing about being a physio is seeing people achieve their goals. I love how every person you meet is unique. Even if I see the same injury many times, it presents itself in different ways based on the individual, what they want to achieve, how they perceive the injury and its effect on their lives. Whether the goal is walking up the stairs again or running a marathon, the satisfaction remains the same and this is what makes physio so enjoyable.
Tell us some conditions you have treated.
I enjoy treating tendon injuries. Usually, tendon injuries are caused by the tendon becoming overloaded due to a weakness somewhere in the body, a sudden spike in training load or an inability to manage the training load. I like to try find the cause of why the injury has occurred in the first place while also finding the best ways to allow the tendon to heal/ recover while staying training if possible. I enjoy trying to figure out what people can do while injured, rather than focusing on what they can’t do.
Words of Wisdom!
Listen to your own body- whether you are injured, picking up a new activity or training for years, I think this is the most important thing anyone can do. No one knows your body as well as you do.
Why should a potential client choose Galway Bay Physio?
When I first joined Galway Bay Physio, the one thing that really stood out to me was how helpful and understanding everyone is. I think it is pretty rare to find somewhere where each person is as helpful and kind as the next and I think this is an environment anyone potential client would be lucky to be part of. The support given and the environment created makes it easy for therapists to turn to each other whenever needed without fear. This benefits the clients as you know you are getting the best care possible as there will always be someone within the clinic who can help you.
Meet your physiotherapist!
Hi, Steve is my name, I’m a chartered physiotherapist and I have been working with Galway Bay Physio since late 2020. I really enjoy musculoskeletal physiotherapy and get to see a great range of patients and conditions working with GBP.
I qualified in 2019 from RCSI and have only worked in a musculoskeletal role since then. I also have experience working with different sport teams including the Galway U20 hurlers and have been working with the Galway Minor/U17 hurlers for the last two years.
Why did you choose to be a physiotherapist?
I chose to be a physiotherapist mainly due to a love of anatomy and a fascination with how the body moves and functions. This began from an early age as although I was a keen sprinter I was also prone to injuries. I became interested in strength training, rehab and learning about different muscle groups. This naturally developed into wanting to be a physio so I could apply anatomy to real life scenarios.
What is your favourite thing about being a physiotherapist?
My favourite part of being a physio is getting to help people return to what they love doing. This might be as simple as going for evening walks without pain or it might be getting an athlete back to full match fitness in good time. It is always great to see a patient achieve their outcomes and in some cases surpass their own expectations. It can be really enjoyable to be a part of that process.
Tell us of some treatment options used to treat conditions.
I treat many different conditions throughout the body with varying degrees of severity. Something I treat a lot includes conditions of the shoulder and rotator cuff. These can include muscle tears, tendinopathies or just overloading to the shoulder. Treatment for these conditions usually contains graded exposure to exercise as well as manual therapy techniques like soft tissue release, desensitising muscles and tendons, dry needling and mobility work too.
I also do a lot of diaphragmatic breathing work with patients and help to mobilise the ribcage and improve its range of motion. This carries over quite nicely for back pain patients as well. I try to treat my patients in such a way that the underlying cause of the injury is addressed and not just the symptoms. I like to provide my patients with the tools necessary to mitigate their pain returning again in the future. With this in mind treatment is usually a team effort where we get to work in session and you continue to build on the progress with progressive exercise outside of the session.
Words of wisdom!
If I could provide one piece of advice it would be to take time out of your day to remember to breathe well. Everyone leads very busy lives between work, home and social lives, but often this busyness can lead us to feel stressed and even overwhelmed. Stress can affect the body in many ways but can often cause a build up of tension. If tension is present for long enough it can cause pain. Good quality diaphragmatic breaths can help reduce tension in the body and help your body deal with the physical effects of stress.
Meet your physiotherapist!
Hi, I’m Aaron. I started working with Galway Bay Physio in September 2023. I mainly specialise in assessing and treating sporting injuries, however I also have extensive experience working with all musculoskeletal injuries seen in the general population. I graduated from the University of Ulster as a Physiotherapist in 2013 and then completed my Masters degree in Sports & Exercise Medicine in 2014. I have over 10 years experience working in private practice in Ireland. I’ve also worked with athletes from several sporting codes including provincial rugby, county gaelic football and hurling, national level athletics, boxing, hockey and swimming.
Why did you choose to be a physiotherapist?
In school, I naturally enjoyed biology and physics. I also enjoyed both team and individual sports. Growing up I always felt having an active lifestyle was the best balance for me and so I encountered the profession. When it came to deciding which career path to follow it made the most sense to me.
Treatments & Services I provide
I assess and treat all things musculoskeletal including pre and post operative conditions as well as chronic and traumatic sporting or everyday injuries. Throughout the years I have developed a specific interest in shoulder injuries and enjoy the challenge of working together to solve the presenting problem. I use different treatment tools and interventions such as tailored exercise program prescription, dry needling, physical therapy, taping, shockwave, pilates programming and advise depending on what is required to address the given situation.
Words of Wisdom
With an accurate diagnosis and understanding of the issue, a thorough treatment approach, persistence, and consistency, most often even the most severe and persistent musculoskeletal pain can be resolved. Positivity and persistence will get you there!
What is your favourite thing about being a physio?
There are loads of positive aspects to being a physio. Among them is the satisfaction of helping someone out of distress and pain especially if it has been a lengthy rehabilitation journey. We work with people suffering from pain or other forms of disability and that gives you a strong sense of gratitude and appreciation for your own health. We also get to wear shorts to work!
Why choose Galway Bay Physio?
With 4 clinics and a large staff there is a vast and ever-growing clinical knowledge base within Galway Bay. This means it’s likely that whatever your issue, there will be a therapist that specialises in that area of care.
Meet your physiotherapist!
Hi, my name is Keith! I am a physical therapist, specialising in sports injuries for over 8 years. I have experience working with many sport teams; Galway Minor and Galway u20s since 2017, the Irish Students Rugby team, covering the world cup in Australia and two 4 Nations tournaments, and more recently, working with NUIG, Liam Mellows and Mountbellew GAA..
Why did you choose to be a physiotherapist?
After working with the Red cross for a number of years and training as an ambulance driver and paramedic, I became very interested in the after care for people that had suffered injuries and their recovery. This led me down the road to starting my training to become a physical therapist.
What is your favourite thing about being a physiotherapist?
I like being able to listen to patients and their issues and to work with them on an individual basis, and apply hands-on therapy to aid in their recovery.
Tell us some of the worst conditions you have been able to treat.
Working mainly with sports injuries, the worst condition I have treated is an ACL rupture. This injury has a long recovery time, the patient is unable to play their sport for anything up to 1 year, depending the type of surgery they have. The treatment for this injury starts before the surgery, with reduction in swelling and returning range of
motion to the leg. After surgery, the treatment involves a phased rehabilitation program, aiming to return range of motion to the leg and increase strength and stability to the knee joint and surrounding structures.
The treatment overall is not painful but can be difficult and challenging. With one of these patients, I felt the key to his recovery was to have a connection and understanding of the impact and difficulty this injury had on his life from a social and personal level. Being able to understand the injury from his point of view helped be to overcome setbacks my patient had and to be able to advise him and help him to stay positive during his recovery and return to sport.
Tell us some treatments and services you provide.
Sport Injury and hands on therapy is the main service I provide in the clinic. Within this service, I offer a range of Deep Tissue Massages which can aid in the recovery time between sporting events, help prepare you for a sporting event, aid in flexibility and assist in reducing stress levels and helping circulation.
For sports injuries, I take a whole-body approach to examine not just the injury site but above and below this site. I also look at the sport you are playing and apply a specific rehabilitation program tailored to the sport to aid you in body mechanic and recovery.
Words of Wisdom!
If you currently have undiagnosed pain, I would recommend the pain is reviewed with a therapist or GP and the correct exercises are given to avoid further injury. I wouldn’t recommend that you stretch until the pain is reviewed as further issues could occur. Some tips I would give for soft tissue injuries are; RICE (rest, ice, compression, and elevation) as this is best practise. I would then follow this up with your GP or Therapist for the next stage of recovery and advice.
A dead leg is something commonly seen in sport and the RICE principal is the best treatment in the first 48 hours of this injury but something you may not be aware of is that you should not stretch a dead leg within the first 24-48 hours of the injury as it could cause further damage.
Why should a potential client choose Galway Bay Physio?
At Galway Bay Physio, we have a dedicated team of therapists all with a large amount of experience and knowledge within their fields. We can offer you one to one consultation with a therapist that will listen to you and understand the issue you are facing. They will help and assist you in returning to the activity that is the most important to you.
Meet your physiotherapist!
Hi! I am Mark and I specialise in Musculoskeletal and Sports Injuries. I have been practicing as a physio for 2 years now and I have worked primarily in private practice. I also have spent time working in a hospital setting where I have experience with neurological rehabilitation, respiratory, orthopaedics and general medicine. Early in 2021, I joined the team at Galway Bay physio. I have worked with players from numerous teams including Connacht Rugby, Galway United, Galway Hurling U20 and minor teams and many more sporting teams around Galway.
Why did you choose to be a physiotherapist?
I always had the intention of becoming a physiotherapist when I was younger. I think this comes down to my keen interest in sport!
What is your favourite thing about being a physiotherapist?
My favourite thing about being a physio would have to be the satisfaction you get from helping people who have been suffering with pain for a long time resume normal pain free day to day activities.
Tell us some conditions you have been able to treat.
I particularly enjoy treating lower back pain. The majority of people will suffer from back pain at one stage or another. The majority of these cases will resolve pretty quickly but in some circumstances it can be a bit more difficult to shift the pain. In treating chronic back pain I utilise a multifaceted approach to look for improvements in peoples day to day pain levels. A big part of this is looking at breathing exercises and rib cage movement in order to get the body out of “fight or flight “ mode. Massage, desensitisation of overloaded tissues and dry needling are just some of the techniques used to help this stage. It is also important to address fear avoidance behaviours. Many people have beliefs that moving and lifting are detrimental to back pain where the opposite is often the case. It is also important to provide an effective explanation as to what to expect along the rehab journey. With low back pain the likelihood that people will experience flare ups from time to time is quite high, I think it’s very important to equip people with the tools and the knowledge to manage these flare ups as effectively as possible.
Do you recommend I exercise when in pain?
I think especially with back pain people tend to demonise movement. A little movement can often help. The level of exercise that is undertaken should be determined by the pain levels. Listen to your body!!
Why should a potential client choose Galway Bay Physio?
I think at Galway Bay Physio there is a huge focus on teamwork. The broad range of expertise that is present amongst our team of physios ensures that in complex cases, there is a team of physios there to help you and not just one individual.
Meet your physiotherapist!
Hi, my name is Darragh Bolton. I am a Chartered Physiotherapist and qualified strength and conditioning coach. I specialize in musculoskeletal therapy and sports injuries. I have worked with many different sports teams, both as a physiotherapist and as an strength & condition coach. These include the Galway Senior hurlers, Galway Minor footballers, local GAA and rugby teams and previously with the Canadian Olympic Women’s Rugby sevens and rowing teams.
Why did you choose to be a physiotherapist?
I became a physiotherapist as I myself had two ACL reconstruction injuries from playing football. The journey through rehabilitation gave me the interest in becoming a physiotherapist. I also felt I could put my strength and conditioning knowledge to good use in helping people overcome their injuries and return to full function and back to playing sport.
What is your favourite thing about being a physiotherapist?
I like the engagement and relationship I build with my patients. It’s nice to see patients progression from session to session and eventually, get back to their pre-injury state in most cases.
Tell us of some treatment options used to treat conditions.
As a chartered physiotherapist, I am able to help people with various injuries as well as conditions. I have helped people with something as small as a sprained ankle to a 5 year old boy with cerebral palsy recovering from a spinal dorsal rhizotomy. It’s definitely a job with lots of variety.
Words of wisdom!
Hands-on treatments such as massage and dry needling can help to a degree but ultimately, it’s the advice from your physio and exercise that helps you recover from the injury and pain. You must exercise when in pain and you must stay positive throughout your rehab.
Meet your Athletic Therapist!
Hi! My name is Alan and I have a special interest in sports Injuries. I have recently graduated as an Athletic therapist and have been working with the clinic for over 2 years. My degree specialises in musculoskeletal injuries that occur in sport. In 2021, my career started pitch side covering various sports across Galway at every skill level, leading to opportunities working abroad. My keen interest in sport has granted me the opportunity to work with Italy RFU, Galway GAA and Galway United along with talented sports clubs around Galway such as Liam Mellows, Sigerson and Fitzgibbon teams.
Why did you choose to be an Athletic Therapist?
I’ve always loved being involved with sport and from a young age I’ve always wanted to be a physiotherapist. I feel I’m an understanding and compassionate person who can listen to people’s issues and enjoys being able to help them. If I can contribute to a person’s wellbeing in sport or the general public, then I am in the right career.
What is your favourite thing about being an Athletic Therapist?
Being able to make a positive difference, big or small to a person’s quality of life. Whether it be reassurance about a concern of theirs or help walk them through the rehabilitation process.
Tell us some of the worst conditions you have been able to treat.
You can find me pitch side treating sporting injuries such as sprains, tears and breaks. In clinic, I am currently offering sport and soft tissue massage to our patients. Whether it’s post-match DOMS or external stress factors affecting your body, a massage is an excellent option to turn to. I also have the know how to identify potential underlying issues.
Do You recommend I exercise when in pain!
It’s OK to ask for opinions about this. Obviously it depends on the condition but every small bit helps. Therapists are here to point you in the direction of better health. If you and your body feel like it can tolerate exercise without adding strain, then you can take them small steps toward your ultimate goal- feeling better. It’s always better to be safe then sorry, if your issue does not ease or even gets worse, I would advise giving us a call.
Why should a potential client choose Galway Bay Physio?
Here at Galway Bay Physio, we’ve seen it all. We have an experienced and talented group of male and female therapists that will listen, advise and care for each patient with the incredible knowledge and treatment techniques.
Meet your therapist!
My name is Richard Grier and I graduated from AIT (now TUS) in 2020 with a BSC(hons) degree in Athletic and Rehabilitation Therapy. I began working primarily with sports teams initially.
I have working with Galway Bay Physio since 2022, and have been head athletic therapist with Galway United Senior Men’s team for the last 3 years and, now also the new Galway United Women’s team. Since graduating, I have had the honour of working with Galway U20 hurlers, Loughrea Senior hurlers, Irish University’s Rugby League team, Galwegians Senior women AIL team, Galway United women and Galway United men.
Why did you choose to be an athletic therapist?
Growing up I always played sports and had my own fair share of injuries. Galway Bay Physio was always the first place I’d go, and Ciaran and Keith were actually my physios for hurling! I always had a great interest in the human body and it seemed like a natural fit to get into Athletic Therapy.
Tell us of some treatment services you provide.
I’m highly trained in MSK injuries with a particular interest in sports injuries and elite athletes. I enjoy treating and rehabbing athletes from day of injury to getting them back to match fitness.
I offer injury diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation. Other treatments include soft tissue/ deep tissue massage, shockwave therapy and dry needling.
What is your favourite thing about being an athletic therapist?
My favourite thing about being an Athletic Therapist is working with elite sports people and bringing them from day 1 of injury back to match fitness. I love helping athletes achieve their goals despite how an injury may hinder them.
Words of wisdom!
Words of wisdom, don’t wait! We often think things will go away but first hand experience and practice has shown me that this isn’t the case. As soon as you feel any injury come on, come see us. We have a team of professionals that offer the highest level of care, and we can get you back to pain free as long as your willing to put in the effort.
Why should a potential client choose Galway Bay Physio?
Since a young age Galway Bay Physio was my local physio clinic and as a patient and employee I have seen huge growth in the clinic, we now have 4 clinics throughout Galway and it epitomises the level of care we give to each and every patient that walks through our doors.
About Richard!
Growing up I was big into hurling and basketball, but my focus has since switched to golf. You’ll find me on the golf course when I’m not in the clinic or pitch side.
Meet your Athletic Therapist!
Hi, my name is Roisin Leen. I graduated with a BSc Honours degree as a certified athletic therapist and have been working with Galway Bay Physio for over 1 year. My degree specialises in preventing, assessing, diagnosing, treating, and rehabilitating musculoskeletal injuries. I also work pitch side covering multiple teams and sports at various levels. I have been fortunate enough to have worked with many teams including Galway United Women, Galway U20 Hurlers, University of Galway Gaelic, Hurling and Soccer teams, Liam Mellows Hurling and Camogie. At present, I work a mixture of clinical and pitch-side cover.
Why did you choose to be an Athletic Therapist?
I always had a very keen interest in injuries, health, and fitness. From a young age, I was fascinated by the way the body works and how it functions, in addition to the idea of preventing and rehabilitating injuries. Having played multiple sports to a high level with many different teams growing up, I have witnessed and experienced many injuries that led to a greater insight into this particular career choice.
What is your favourite thing about being an Athletic Therapist?
My favourite thing about being an Athletic Therapist is being able to make a positive change to a person’s quality of life, albeit big or small. Whether it’s someone looking to return to their normal daily activities such as walking, or an elite athlete looking to return to match fitness, the satisfaction achieved remains the same. I also really enjoy the social interaction with patients and building a good rapport with them which consequently helps achieve the most optimal recovery outcomes.
Tell us some of the treatments and services you provide
Pitch-side you will find me treating various sporting injuries such as sprains, tears, and breaks, in addition to pre-game taping and sports massage. In the clinic, I am currently offering sports and deep tissue massage appointments, dry needling, and a lower limb injury service that treats muscle strains and tears and ligament sprains and tears of the lower limb.
Words of Wisdom
Don’t wait and don’t believe everything you hear from Dr Google! Sometimes we think a niggle or our aches and pains will go away on their own but unfortunately, they can just get worse and that
niggle that could have taken two weeks to heal all of a sudden will now take six weeks to heal. In addition, although there are many beneficial resources online, there is unfortunately a huge amount of misleading and incorrect information out there on how to correctly manage injuries so my words of wisdom are to get yourself seen by an experienced and qualified therapist who will work to get you back to a pain free state.
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