Wellness Advice from a Chartered Physiotherapist
Physiotherapy. It’s one of those things we know is important, but we tend to ignore until something goes snap , crack or why can’t I move my neck? In a recent chat with Yasmin Palfrey (The Fitness Physio) – a specialist musculoskeletal physiotherapist – I got a deeper look into not just the what of physio, but the why . And trust me, it’s not just about getting you back on your feet. It’s about understanding how your physical body is the vehicle for everything else in life – mindset, motivation, and even mental health. Why She Chose This Path For Yasmin, the journey started young – not with textbooks, but with trauma. At 14, she witnessed her dad recover from a horrific accident that left him with a fractured femur, broken ribs and an ACL injury. Being by his side in those physio appointments opened her eyes: physiotherapists don’t just fix bones – they rebuild lives. “I saw how much it changed his recovery, his mindset, his ability to go back to work and feel a bit more like himself again,” she told me. That spark never left her. The Link Between Physical Health & Mental State You might think a physio's job is just to sort out sore joints and tweak niggles. But Yasmin sees it as far more holistic. “How you move affects how you feel,” she said. “We all know that post-workout high – those happy chemicals aren’t a myth. It’s science.”
She explained that running, for example, releases dopamine and other feel-good neurotransmitters – and that’s part of the reason people stick to exercise. It’s less about aesthetics over time, and more about how it makes you feel . Debunking the “Running Ruins Your Knees” Myth Let’s address one of the biggest misconceptions head-on: “Running is bad for your joints.” Yasmin calls this out as one of the most frustrating myths she hears – even from other health professionals. “Actually, running – especially moderate running – can protect your joints. One study showed runners had a 10.8% lower risk of developing osteoarthritis than sedentary people. Movement is medicine.”
Fuel Your Body – Properly She’s also noticed a worrying trend: people not fuelling enough to support their workouts. “Nutrition is essential. If you’re not eating enough to match your training, your energy drops and your injury risk spikes – especially for things like stress fractures.” Injury Prevention: Think Task-Specific Here’s the practical bit. Yasmin’s advice to stay injury-free? Warm up for what you’re about to do. Runners? Don’t just stretch – try pogo jumps, hip openers, and lunges. Lifters? Focus on mobility and movement prep. Strength training is non-negotiable. It builds resilience in joints and muscles. Tailor it to you. There’s no one-size-fits-all. If running burns you out, swap it for HIIT or weights. Work with your body, not against it. Rehab Isn’t Just Physical – It’s Mental Too We talked about mindset a lot. Injuries, Yasmin explained, aren’t always avoidable. But how you respond can make a world of difference.
“I’ve seen people with the same injury recover completely differently – and often it’s about mindset. Gratitude, visualisation, even journaling can help shift how someone experiences recovery.”
She even uses visualisation techniques with her clients: imagining each stage of the healing journey, picturing the steps back to full strength. And yes – there’s science behind that too. A Future That Embraces Mindset Work Despite being such a powerful tool, Yasmin never learned anything about mindset or mental resilience at uni. But now? She’s built it into her approach. That’s where The Fitness Physio Method was born – her online programme blending expert rehab with mindset work. It’s a modern take on what physio should be: full-body, full-mind. Find Yasmin Online If you’re looking to train smarter, stay injury-free, or recover with a little more clarity and care – Yasmin’s your go-to.
You can follow her and learn more about The Fitness Physio Method via her Instagram: @thefitnessphysio_
In a world obsessed with aesthetics, Yasmin reminds us of something deeper: your physical health is the foundation of everything. Mood, mindset, motivation – it all starts with movement.
