From Zumba to Lumbar - A Love of Art, Dance and Fitness Inspired Holly to Train as a Musculoskeletal Physio

Holly, our new Activ Home domiciliary physiotherapist has an art, fitness and dance background and has always been fascinated by the human form.

She said: 'I have always been passionate about dance and movement. I was used to expressing moving figures in my art and realised I wanted to take that further in a more scientific in-depth approach.'

After working for years in the fitness industry teaching dance and fitness, Holly trained as a physiotherapist at Sheffield Hallam University and qualified in 2018. She also worked in hospitals as an interpreter for the Portugeuse community, which gave her an invaluable insight into different medical roles and the positive impact different treatments have on people's lives.

Holly teaching a Zumba class - ‘I have always been passionate about dance and movement.’

'I also became interested in how people recover from injuries and prevent them. A combination of these interests inspired me to train as a musculoskeletal physiotherapist. I have worked in various clinics over the years and welcomed the opportunity to work at Activ after hearing recommendations from a friend and previous colleague. It is a wonderful place to work and I am thoroughly enjoying being a community therapist for a business with like-minded physiotherapists who are supportive, caring and always striving to put patients first. 

'I treat  patients in their own homes and it is a privilege based on trust and respect. It also helps me understand fundamentally what a patient needs and how to provide the best treatment. I often have to be more creative and use the environment to help both me and the patient to get the best outcomes.'

Holly also teaches Pilates, especially for complex patients and their rehab needs, and utilises the movements in treatment sessions where appropriate (or at the patient's request). 

When Holly is not working, she enjoys spending time outdoors walking with her children in the Peaks.

'I also love to dance Salsa and Samba. My other passion is teaching Zumba in gyms and communities which I have done for the last 13 years. When I can, I enjoy strength training in the gym. I try to keep strong and practice what I preach!'

If you would like to find out more about our Activ Home domiciliary service, please contact out friendly Totley team on 0114 2352727.