Formed 21 years ago, Harris & Ross have four clinics across the North West and their ethos is all about giving elite athlete levels of care, to everybody who visits them. Here, they answer some reader questions.
DAVE WILLIAMS
Consultant Physiotherapist
How can I help my child avoid and recover from injuries?
Prioritise quality sleep: Adolescents who consistently get less than eight hours of sleep are up to 1.7 times more likely to suffer sports-related injuries compared to well-rested peers. Chronic sleep deprivation impairs reaction times, decision-making, and cognitive function – and even disrupts recovery recovery mechanisms by altering hormone balance and increasing inflammation. As paediatric sleep guidelines recommend 8-9 hours nightly for children aged 7-19 (and up to 10 hours for younger ones), ensuring they meet these benchmarks is critical.
Avoid overtraining – listen to the body: encourage your child to tune into signals like fatigue or lingering soreness. These are your body’s way of saying, “Rest now.” Structuring training schedules with built-in rest or light days reduces both acute and overuse injuries.Don’t skip stretching: especially during periods of rapid growth, stretching helps maintain flexibility, balance, and prime muscle function—key factors for injury prevention. Skipping it may force the body to compensate in risky ways.
Act early—seek professional advice: Children heal remarkably fast with the right treatment—but unresolved issues can become chronic problems. Prompt medical or physiotherapy guidance ensures quick, effective recovery.
ELLIE RICHARDSON
Consultant Shoulder Physiotherapist
Why does my shoulder hurt? I can’t recall injuring it.
Shoulder pain is a common issue, with one in five adults experiencing it at some point in their lives. As we age, the chances of developing shoulder pain increase, and Rotator Cuff Related Pain (RCRP) is the most frequent cause. Previously called “impingement,” RCRP is often misunderstood, as the term suggests pain comes from something “pinching” inside the shoulder. In reality, imaging like MRIs or ultrasounds can’t always pinpoint the exact source of the pain. Structural changes like bony spurs or rotator cuff tears can be normal, age-related occurrences and don’t always require treatment.
RCRP refers to pain and weakness involving the muscles, tendons, and surrounding structures of the shoulder. This can happen when the arm is lifted or rotated, often causing discomfort that can develop slowly or quickly. Fortunately, exercise therapy and self-management are effective first-line treatments. The key to success is a personalised exercise program tailored to the individual. Strength, stability, and movement control exercises are essential, and modifying activities to avoid pain can prevent prolonged episodes of pain.
Lifestyle factors, including smoking, being overweight, or hormonal changes like menopause, can also contribute to shoulder pain. Managing these factors can improve recovery outcomes and prevent RCRP from affecting daily activities.
JEFF ROSS
Owner / Director Physiotherapist
Why is strength training so important?
Strength is vital – not only for preventing and recovering from injury, but also for maintaining long-term health and wellbeing. At Harris & Ross Healthcare, we see many patients whose injuries stem from a lack of strength or who struggle to make a full recovery because underlying strength deficits haven’t been addressed.
Drawing on decades of experience in elite sport, our physiotherapists are experts at identifying these deficits and creating effective solutions. Strengthening is one of the most powerful tools we use to deliver success for our patients – whether that means returning to everyday activity, competitive sport, or simply moving with confidence again.
Our state-of-the-art facilities set us apart. With access to outstanding gym spaces and equipment, we can deliver tailored, progressive programmes
designed specifically for you. These programmes do more than just fix injuries – they prepare you for surgery, accelerate post-operative recovery, and build resilience for the future.
Strength isn’t optional; it’s fundamental. It helps prevent pain, speeds recovery, and supports your health, well-being and longevity. If you’re dealing with injury or ongoing pain, don’t overlook the importance of strength. At Harris & Ross, we’ll help you address every aspect of your recovery – and build a stronger future.
Harris & Ross have clinics in Manchester City Centre, Wilmslow, Altrincham and Wigan. You can book in with any of our physios at any of our locations, online or by calling us on 0161 832 9000.
