Rhian Sykes
Physiotherapy Consultant
Rhian brings 20 years of experience within the musculoskeletal field. She is also a clinical specialist in rheumatological disease including axial spondyloarthropathy, and in hydrotherapy. She graduated from the University of the West of England in 2004 and achieved a Masters with distinction in Advanced Practice from Cardiff University in 2018.
Experience past and present:
- All musculoskeletal conditions including spines, knees, hips, shoulders and more.
- Occupational Health.
- Support to live well with rheumatological disease and persistent pain.
- Consultant led orthopaedic clinics, particularly spinal clinics, with excellent knowledge of spinal pain treatment and pathways.
- Acute knee screening to diagnose significant knee injuries.
- Group based and individual rehabilitation.
- Certified Australian Institute Physiotherapy and Pilates (APPI) mat work instructor.
- Certified Mummy MOT Practitioner.
Diagnostic Skills:
Rhian has many years’ experience as a diagnostician of musculoskeletal conditions, and can provide a detailed and thorough assessment of your condition, whether acute or more longstanding. She will discuss in detail the likely diagnosis, prognosis, and best practice to support you moving forwards and achieving your goals. She has excellent awareness of appropriate treatment options, including when imaging or orthopaedic opinion may be appropriate.
Rehabilitation Skills:
Rhian has extensive and varied experience of many conditions, from acute injuries and post op rehabilitation, to more longstanding conditions of the spine, knee, shoulder, hip and more. She has experience of group based rehabilitation (online and in person) of persistent spinal pain, rheumatological disease, lower limb and upper limb. She has been the clinical lead for a large hydrotherapy service and has excellent knowledge of using the properties of water to maximise rehabilitation.
Orthopaedics:
Rhian has worked alongside spinal and knee consultants in clinic, which affords her comprehensive knowledge of when orthopaedic opinion may be indicated, and has excellent links with these services. Occupational Health Rhian has accomplished skills in supporting you to work happily and healthily, with a good understanding of work ergonomics. She previous experience of Occupational Health in a large organisation, including evaluating fitness to work and advising employers and employees on how to return to, or stay in work, successfully.
Rheumatological Disease:
Rhian has experience of leading the Rheumatological physiotherapy service in a large Welsh local health board and specialises in supporting those with rheumatological conditions.
She has a good understanding of how these complex conditions affect day to day life, how medications and general health influence symptoms, and she can support you with an individualised plan to live well and achieve your goals.
Leave us a review
Follow up appointment
Had a follow up appointment with Gin yesterday. Advised her the strengthening exercises she gave me on my first appointment have made a huge difference. Gave me 2 further exercises to add to my routine and a massage. Shows the exercises have helped as areas of the massage not tender as they were on first appointment. Great advice Gin and thank you for being so nice.
Tight, sore muscles on inner thigh due to osteoarthritis in hip
Saw Gin today as been struggling with pain from groin to knee due to osteoarthritis in hip. Gin was very kind and knowledgeable. Did some soft tissue massage and great advice on exercises to strengthen the muscles.
Really good insight, definitely recommend
I have been suffering from tightness and pain in my glutes/lower back from running. I was really impressed with the detail of the assessment and have come away with a good understanding of how to rehab the issue.
Shoulder pain
I hurt my shoulder playing rugby. She gave a clear diagnosis, some soft tissue work and a sound rehab program, she was friendly and profesdional
Great service with a friendly face
After weeks of suffering with shin pain i decided to try some physio. Gin was very knowledgeable and gave me some great advice on how to manage the condition myself and keep me running marathons.
Would deffinetly recommend!
