CLINICAL SERVICES – THE REHAB LAB
Welcome to The Rehab Lab, a physiotherapy service that includes The Knee Rehab Lab and The Back Rehab Lab.
My name is Dr Nicholas Clark and I lead clinical services at The Rehab Lab. As a Consultant Chartered Physiotherapist, I combine scientifically-grounded physiotherapy systems with more than 20 years of real-world clinical experience in a way that is tailored to your unique needs so that you get back on track quickly and move forward to the next chapter of your life.
In the past, I participated in many different outdoor pursuits and team sports and went on to experience several different injuries. I’ve had two shoulder operations, knee and ankle ligament tears, two abdominal operations, and a low back disc injury. Because of my own personal experience of injury and surgery, I can relate to what it feels like to be in your position.
THE KNEE REHAB LAB
“Nick has been patient, professional, thorough and supportive through my entire rehab process. After three surgeries and around five physiotherapists before him, I was beginning to feel desperate and unconvinced that I would ever go back to dance. Nick offered me a very measurable way to ensure I was strong enough… Previously, with other physios, I had no idea of what I was aiming for. Additionally, and most importantly, he was extremely supportive. He has a deep understanding of how an injury is a mental and emotional struggle. I expressed many emotions of despair, anger, frustration, and sadness during the six months we worked together, and every time he was patient and professional. Now, after my first surgery in 2014, I have returned to dance and have never been as strong as I am now. It is clear why Nick is a leader in his field; with his deep understanding of the function of the knee coupled with his empathetic dealing with clients, I strongly recommend him to anyone I meet with a knee issue”.
Sara L., 26, Accounts Executive, Contemporary Dancer
“I have been seeing Nick for rehab work following ACL reconstructive surgery. My surgeon recommended Nick after I had been seeing a different Physio for a number of months and I just wish I had seen Nick from the beginning. He is absolutely THE Physio when it comes to ACLs and postsurgery rehab. I have never ever had such a thorough Physio before who mixes proper detailed analysis of my injury, recovery, extension, strength, etc, with clear detailed exercise to aid recovery. It is slow progress but I am extremely confident I am in absolutely the best hands that I could possibly get. Without a doubt the most thorough Physio I have ever seen before (and I have unfortunately had to see a few through sports injuries)”.
Oliver M., 33, Solicitor, Football Player
“I cannot thank Nick enough for his expert physiotherapy support and care that he provided me in the 9-month rehabilitation of my knee. I was left with a severely torn ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) after a skiing accident. With plans to marry in the snow just one year after the injury, my key goal was to regain full mobility and get back on skis in time for my wedding… Once I had made the decision to opt for a nonsurgical route Nick created a bespoke rehabilitation programme and broke it down into manageable chunks, with clear goals to ensure my progress was measured and congratulated. Nick not only offered me his knowledge and experience, but was also a hugely reassuring, supportive, and motivating force in my rehabilitation. Throughout this process, he walked me through each step, providing clear instructions on exercises and how to fit these into the busy work life that I had to contend with. Nick showed me great patience and encouragement which was essential in such a lengthy rehab process and I left each appointment with an accurate marker of my progress and the motivation to achieve the next target. Importantly this achieved results and I was quickly able to return to normal activities and maintain a regular exercise programme. I can now happily say that not only did I realise my dream of an alpine wedding, but I can honestly say with enormous thanks to Nick that I am a fitter and stronger version of myself before the accident. I even started running which brings immense joy to my running obsessed husband who never thought this would happen”.
Lucie E., 32, Marketing and Events Executive, Downhill Skier
The Knee Rehab Lab offers expert physiotherapy assessment, diagnosis, and treatment for adults and children with a range of needs related to knee pain, injury, pre-surgery preparation (prehabilitation), post-injury and post-surgery rehabilitation, osteoarthritis, and joint replacement.
Specialising in knee ligament and cartilage injury and post-surgery rehabilitation, post-injury and post-surgery knee osteoarthritis control for young adults, complex knee injury case reviews, and second-opinion assessments.
Expert services are available for adults with gradual-onset and age-associated knee osteoarthritis, pre-joint replacement preparation (prehabilitation), and post-joint replacement rehabilitation.
For agility-sport athletes, also specialising in first-time injury prevention programmes, sport-specific high performance reconditioning programmes, and return-to-sport testing for re-injury risk management.
For all services, the Knee Rehab Lab uses scientifically-grounded and clinically-proven physiotherapy systems that integrate manual therapy, exercise therapy, electrical and thermal technology, step-by-step guidance, and strategic education in a way that’s tailored to your unique knee problem and personal needs so that you get back on track quickly and moving forward to the next chapter of your life.
The Knee Rehab Lab is based in Chelmsford and Colchester (Essex) and London. Get in contact if you’d like more information or to make an appointment.
THE BACK REHAB LAB
“I wanted to get back to playing tennis after having back pain for many months. I was also having back pain at work and it was getting in the way of doing the things I needed to do. Nick’s assessment of my situation and back function was extremely thorough and revealed subtle weaknesses in some of my muscles as well as movement pattern problems I didn’t even know I had. Nick provided me with a detailed plan that listed my rehab priorities with clear measurable goals. My back is now pain-free and I’m back playing tennis without any problems. In fact, I can now hit harder than I’ve ever done before and have more endurance. I’m also not having difficulties anymore at work and have more energy. I recommend Nick to anyone who is serious about safely getting back to sport after a back problem”.
Marianna L., 35, Television and Film Writer and Producer, Tennis Player.
“By far the most positive physiotherapy experience I have ever had. Nick focused on explaining to me exactly what my back problem was, what needed to be done about it in the short and long term, and worked with me to come up with a rehab programme that could fit easily into my everyday life. Nick made sure I had the necessary understanding and tools to look after myself and prevent a recurrence of the problem in the future. Highly recommended”.
Matt I., 42, Solicitor, Basketball Player.
“I’d had on and off back and leg pain for many years due to a degenerating disc and a trapped nerve, but then it became a daily problem and started to stop me doing my work. I saw Nick and he was very thorough with listening to me explain my back problem and how it was affecting both my work and my family life. He was also very thorough assessing my nerves and my back and seeing what I could and couldn’t do. Nick then explained how I could keep working without making my back much worse and we worked together to design a rehab programme that I could do at home every day. Although it took several weeks, my back slowly improved and now I can work without any problems again. I’m also grateful to Nick because I managed to avoid having an injection in my back. Nick’s shown me how to look after myself and I know I can go back and see him again if I need to. I really recommend Nick to anyone with a back problem and a physical job”.
Pascal J., 42, Self-Employed Builder, Football Player.
The Back Rehab Lab offers expert physiotherapy assessment, diagnosis, and treatment for adults with a range of needs related to low back pain, injury, pre-surgery preparation (prehabilitation), post-injury and post-surgery rehabilitation, and osteoarthritis.
Specialising in treatment for gradual-onset localised low back pain, low back pain with associated leg pain (sciatica), and post-surgery low back rehabilitation.
Expert services are available for adults with gradual-onset and age-associated low back osteoarthritis, pre-injection and pre-surgery preparation (prehabilitation), and post-injection and post-surgery rehabilitation.
For people with physically-demanding jobs, The Back Rehab Lab also specialises in first-time injury prevention programmes and high performance reconditioning programmes for repeated lifting and carrying tasks.
For all services, The Back Rehab Lab uses scientifically-grounded and clinically-proven physiotherapy systems that integrate manual therapy, exercise therapy, electrical and thermal technology, step-by-step guidance, and strategic education in a way that’s tailored to your unique back problem and personal needs so that you break free from past limitations and open a door to a new start in your life.
The Back Rehab Lab is based in Chelmsford and Colchester (Essex) and London. Get in contact if you’d like more information or to make an appointment.