Ashburton Physiotherapists
At Ashburton Physio, generous time is allocated to listen to you and your story. An accurate diagnosis is essential for effective treatment and is reached by thorough questioning and examination. The examination may involve looking at parts of the body distant from your pain. For example, a knee problem may relate to abnormal foot positioning. Or, foot pain may be caused by a back problem.
Leah Mears and Jenny Wigram are registered with the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy, The Health and Care Professions Council and the Acupuncture Association of Chartered Physiotherapists. We are highly skilled therapists and regularly update our CPD (Continuous Professional Development).
Leah took ownership of the Ashburton Physio in July 2016, moving the practice to her home. She also works as an Occupational Health Physiotherapist in a boat building factory with work-related problems as well as sports and other injuries which affect the ability to function fully at work.
Leah has continued to attend regular courses and conferences and is constantly improving her knowledge and skills as a very 'Hands-on' therapist. In 2010 she completed an MSc module in Injection Therapy at the University of Plymouth and is also a member of the Acupuncture Association of Physiotherapists. Unfortunately, we are unable to provide an injection service at Ashburton Physio.
through intensive study and examination in Northern Ireland. Jenny also underwent training in acupuncture, both in Southampton with Drs George Lewith and Julian Kenyon, and in China. She helped set up the Acupuncture Association of Chartered Physiotherapists in 1984, and was its first Honorary Secretary.
In 1989 she opened her own practice in Devon. It became Ashe Physiotherapy Ltd in 2003. Leah Mears took over the management of the practice in July 2016 and it is now known as "Ashburton Physio". Whilst working at South Dartmoor Community College (SDCC) as College Physiotherapist (1999-2015), Jenny researched and published "Why is low back pain common in adolescents?" and presented the results at the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy Annual Conference.
An active cellist, her particular interest lies in the arts, nurturing young talent and preventing injuries in musicians. You will find her name on the British Association of Performing Art Medicine (BAPAM) register. She also enjoys sports such as swimming, cycling and exercising with her Jack Russell terrier, Marvin.
"Physiotherapy is a science-based profession and takes a 'whole person' approach to health and well-being, which includes the patient's general lifestyle. Physiotherapists help people affected by injury, illness or disability through movement and exercise, manual therapy, education and advice."
Osteoarthritis: Osteon means bone, Arthro means joints, Itis means inflammation. This terminology is technically incorrect and OA is actually not an inflammatory condition by nature. This is why some people now call it Osteoathrosis instead. The Osis part actually means degeneration, which is more accurate. Essentially, breaking down the word tells us what it is – degeneration of the joint. More specifically it is degeneration of the articular cartilage of the joint. This is essentially damage and loss of cartilage until the joint is “bone on bone”. The bone actually starts to thicken and wear in response to the extra load on it, which causes bony outgrowths to form, called osteophytes. The synovium around the joint also thickens and produces extra fluid making the joint swell up.
