Richard Coates
Director, physioinabox.com
Richard completed his training as a Chartered Physiotherapist at the Welsh College of Medicine, Cardiff. He qualified in 2000 and began work in the NHS, where he progressed to a Clinical Specialist grade. Richard also worked in professional Rugby, prior to setting up his private physiotherapy clinics with his wife Vanessa. They now have three busy clinics, with a varied caseload. Richard was awarded his MSc in physiotherapy in 2008, by Cardiff University.
Richard enjoys treating a very mixed caseload. He loves the challenge of helping his patients reach their physical goals. Richard’s clients have included Tour de France cyclists, British Lion rugby players, gymnasts, ballet dancers, Invictus Games athletes, military personnel, and competitive age-division athletes in swimming, rowing, running and triathlon. However, Richard equally enjoys helping non-athletic populations overcome their physical hurdles to achieve better health. “Helping somebody regain their independance after major surgery or illness is a privalage that i’ll never get board of”
In his spare time Richard enjoys spending time with Vanessa and his family. he also enjoys keeping fit himself with a variety of sports: triathlon, running, rowing, CrossFit, Olympic lifting.
Vanessa Coates
Director, physioinabox.com
Vanessa also completed her Physiotherapy training at the Welsh College of Medicine, Cardiff. She too joined the NHS, choosing to work in a combined role where she saw a combination of musculoskeletal, neurological and Cardiac rehabilitation patients. This was a tough apprenticeship but it allows Vanessa to draw on enormous experience, treating patients with multiple pathologies. “I love the challenge of treating patients with multiple problems, people come in all shapes and sizes, and very often will have more than one problem: people who have had a stroke or a heart attack still get bet bad backs! it is a challenging patient group but enormously rewarding to take patients from a low starting point and help them gain their independence” At the other end of the scale Vanessa also worked in professional rugby, with elite level swimmers, military personnel, judo and wrestling employing her unique approach. “I found the skills I have developed with other patient groups to be very relevant when treating elite sports people. My skills in treating patients with neurological disorders have been especially relevant, treating the patient’s movement disorders as well as the pain”
In her spare time Vanessa enjoys spending time with her family, playing hockey, walking, and has recently started wood turning, currently she is trying to make a candle stick, but so far has only made a mess!!