ABOUT ZOE
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I have always been passionate about exercise and movement. I spent my youth swimming, dancing & running until several injuries lead to my diagnosis of Ehlers Danlos Type III. This was a challenging period and my first experience with chronic pain. However I managed to regain my freedom from a wheelchair by re-learning to walk, managing my pain & preventing injuries all through exercises! This ignited my passion to become a physiotherapist and help others. I later became diagnosed with Lupus where I had to learn how to rest alongside knowing when to push myself. I also developed complications from EDS including PoTS, gut dysmotility and Fowlers syndrome (urethra dysfunction meaning I now have a permanent catheter in situ) so I have had to constantly adapt how I exercise.
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Actively Autoimmune has emerged whilst learning to live alongside my conditions. I use exercise as a management tool daily and I know first-hand how health can fluctuate day to day which can be frustrating and demotivating. I want Actively Autoimmune to change this; to inspire, to educate and to support the invisible illness community
QUALIFICATIONS
PHYSIOTHERAPIST BSC MCSP
I qualified from University of East Anglia in 2013 with a 1st Class BSc Hons in Physiotherapy. I have worked in numerous specialties including womans health, aged care and musculoskeletal settings. I have experience with sports injuries, back pain, chronic pain, chronic fatigue and chronic conditions. I am registered with HCPC and am a member of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapists.
APPI PILATES INSTRUCTOR
I completed my APPI mat work and equipment based pilates training in 2015. I specialise in clinical pilates, using pilates techniques to optimise the bodys biomechanics and improve muscle balance and strength. I have taught both mat and equipment classes, small groups and 1:1.
NASM PERSONAL TRAINER
I completed my level 2 Gym instructor qualification in 2019 and completed my level 3 Personal Trainer qualification in 2020. I believe as a health and fitness practitioner you can never stop learning! I am a meber of CIMPSA (The Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity)
Integrative Physiotherapist
I focus on each individual as a whole person, informed by the current available research as well as using all tools that could help that invidual.
Trauma Informed
I have completed courses to become a Trauma-informed health care worker to be equipped to working with clients with care and compassion.
Chronic Pain Specialist
I have completed multiple courses around working with Chronic pain, as well as living it with myself. I help you to understand what pain is and how to manage it.
Chronic Fatigue/ME
I am up to date on current guidance for working with CFS/ME. I do not use Graded Exercise Therapy and do not recommend exercise for moderate/severe cases.
EDS Specialist
I have a special interest in clients with EDS. After living with EDS myself, I have undertaken further courses and ongoing collaboration with other health professionals.
Complex Conditions
I have experience in clients often referred to as 'complex' with multiple conditions such as PoTS, Autoimmune conditions, MAST cell and neurological conditions.