Daniel Martin

 

Dan has a Master’s Degree in Sports Physiotherapy from the University of Bath and is currently studying for a professional doctorate at the same university. He is also a lecturer in Sports and Exercise Therapy at the University of Wales Trinity St David.

​

He has over twenty years of clinical experience, which includes contributing to medical teams within the following sports: Triathlon (Team Tri-Force), Athletics (World Championships 2017), Soccer (Football Association of Wales), American Football (Pittsburgh Steelers), Rugby League (Widnes Vikings), Rugby Union (Dragons, Welsh Rugby Union, Bristol Rugby and Racing Club de Narbonne Méditerranée) and Cricket (Glamorgan). He has led large multi-disciplinary teams and understands the importance of quick and accurate diagnosis, together with providing a comprehensive management plan.

​

The former New Zealand rugby captain Tom Willis states: “Dan has very high personal standards and a work ethic second to none. He is compassionate, a team player, and made of the finest moral fibre.” Dan says that it is these attributes that enable him to recognise what is required for various types of injury, whether that involves a simple piece of advice or an A to Z of rehabilitation management.

​

“Good healthcare involves a collaborative effort from both the clinical team and the patient. The old Chinese proverb ‘to give a man a fish feeds him for a day, but teaching a man to fish feeds him for a lifetime’ holds true within the health paradigm.”

With his combined clinical experience and teaching ability, Dan can stay up to date with the latest sports medicine research and also communicate this at a high level to his patients.

​

Dan has not only extensive experience as a clinician but also as a patient. In 1999, he injured his lower back and had to seek multiple avenues of treatment. During this time, he became a certified Pilates instructor and realised the significance of mobilising and strengthening specific areas of the body. “It took many years of searching and gradual enlightenment, but I was able to move from a position of daily pain to one of pain-free function. This experience taught me that there are often several modalities needed to facilitate improvement in a condition.”

 

Dan’s own sporting interests:

 

Dan played rugby through his younger life to a representative level (Welsh Exiles under 20s) whilst also enjoying football and cricket.

He keeps fit through running, stair-climbing and biking, together with self-management Pilates and strength top-ups. “I help coach my daughter’s football team and still follow some of my old work for professional sports teams.” 

​

With regards to online physiotherapy treatment, Dan says:

 

“I believe that education about a condition is vital for someone to fully understand what they are dealing with and how they can resolve their problem. One of the benefits of an online approach is that it necessitates an accuracy in assessment and clarity of exercise prescription that sometimes gets missed in face-to-face sessions.”

​