What our Patients Think

Teresa Phelan : Runner

I have been attending the Leinster Sports Clinic now for a couple of years with various injuries ranging from chest and shoulder to calf and ankle. Recently I developed an ankle injury while running. I was very anxious to have it looked at and treated as soon as possible because I was training for the Paris half marathon on 7 March 2010 . It was a very stubborn injury to heal and the pressure was on to be physically fit for the race. I attended Deirdre with the injury and only for her I wouldn't have been able to run the half marathon which I completed in under 2 hours. Deirdre also gave me great advice and tips on training and nutrition which helped greatly.

The treatment involved both ultrasound and a lot of hands-on work such as massage and stretching. I'm always very impressed that Deirdre will make a diagnosis within the first ten minutes of a consultation and explains the type of injury and treatment in great detail with an answer to any question I ask. Any queries or concerns I have are always answered promptly by e-mail or by phone. Deirdre is very accommodating and will help in anyway she can.

I also had Orthotics fitted in the Leinster Sports Clinic. I had very sore feet and Deirdre advised that I needed Orthotics and that I would greatly benefit from it. I was a bit hesitant at first but I had a full gait analysis and Bio-mechanics done. I was impressed that the Orthotics were made and fitted in the same consultation - all this was done within an hour. Within a few days the pain in my feet had resolved and ever since I have had great comfort in my footware and no problems with my feet. A great aftercare service is also provided which is included in the fee. The Leinster Sports Clinic is a very relaxed environment but also very professional. I have recommended this clinic to other people and they have been very pleased with the service too, both for Orthotics and for treatment of injuries. I have never attended Deirde and had a bad experience, I have always come out 100% at the end. Highly recommended.

Tina Phelan : Runner

I originally attended the sports clinic to get orthotics to combat bad shin splints I was suffering from and had been suffering from for years from playing football and running. A quick and efficient serivce provided by Deirdre ment I walked away at the end of an hour long consultation with two pairs of orthotics - one for everyday shoes and one for runners. I noticed benefits immediately and the shin splints are not a problem anymore.

I also ran the Paris half marathon on 07 March with Teresa and was suffering from muscle fatigue. An email to Deirdre solved the problem with diet and stretching advise.

I find the Leinster Sports Clinic to be very effecient, professional and approachable. I'm very lucky not to have suffered from injuries but was very impressed with the range of orthotics available and the speed at which they can be provided. Deirdre gives great advice and I have no problem in recommending her to anyone.

Dara Mulvey: Hurler

I visited the Leinster Sports Clinic early last year. I suffered from lower back pain and had previously been prescribed orthotics for collapsed arches from another specialist. While their orthotics worked initially they were not suitable for sports. They consisted of a hard plastic base with wedges for additional support. Due to this design they cut my feet and I never went more than a few weeks without suffering from hamstring or groin injuries.

After a lot of research I contacted Deirdre at the Leinster Sports Clinic with my problem. She invited me down to her practice in Portlaoise for a no obligation assessment. I found her to be extremely knowledgeable, professional and I immediately knew I was in very capable hands. I was given a full body assessment and a gait analysis was undertaken. I found this to be very informative and Deirdre was extremely helpful and clear when explaining the results. I was offered a pair of custom made orthotics and had moulds of both feet taken.

I was very surprised to learn they would be ready within an hour. The previous pair of orthotics I had took six weeks to order and adjustments took a similar amount of time. As a result of suffering from back pain for a number of years I also received physiotherapy sessions at the clinic to help maximise results.

Another benefit of the Leinster Sports Clinic was that both aspects of my treatment were available on site. Deirdre also outlined a programme of suitbale stretches to help the process along. I have since gone through a full season injury free and the orthotics have been a huge success. I have had no hesitation in recommending Deirdre to others and all have been very impressed. I would like to thank Deirdre for all her help and wish her and the Leinster Sports Clinic the very best in the future.

Taghd Cronin: Semi-Professional Triathlete

As part of my prize for winning the inaugural Nenagh Triathlon 2008 I
was delighted to receive a pair of custom made sports specific orthotics from the Leinster Sports Clinic. My visit to the Leinster Sports Clinic was both enjoyable and very informative. I was very impressed by Deirdre's friendly demeanour and expert knowledge. As a triathlete Deirdre posesses a level of insight rarely seen elsewhere. Leaving the clinic with a custom pair of lightweight orthotics that very day was certainly an added bonus.

David K Brown BSc (Hons) FRICS FCIOB MFPWS:

Runner

I undertook the VO 2 test at The Leinster Sports Clinic in March 2008. Up to this time although exercising regularly, running the London Marathon last year and owning a heart rate monitor I had not paid too much attention to my heart rate when exercising.

The test involved exercising on a racing bike while being expertly monitored by Chris Simpson during which time my heart rate max was calculated and also my anaerobic threshold. This enabled me to identify my training zones in terms of fat burning and training intensities in order to optimize my potential.

I found Chris’s knowledge and experience invaluable and the Test has helped me to understand the complicated processes which occur in the body when exercising and the information has enabled me to maximise the time I spend working out.

I would recommend the VO 2 Test to anyone who is serious about exercising and anyone who is training for a particular event as the information obtained gives you an edge over the competition and enables you to maximize your bodies potential to achieve your peak performance at the critical moment which is so crucial.

I commend Chris Simpson and his VO 2 Test to you and recommend you give him a try – you won’t be disappointed.

Vicky Whitelock: Amateur Runner

I completed the London Marathon in both 2007 & 2008. During training each year I managed to injury myself.

In 2007 I tore my IT Band, and in 2008 I managed to tear my calf. Both injuries occurred during the latter stages of training. On both occasions, Deirdre worked extremely hard to fix the damage I had done, gave me excellent rehabilitation programmes on both occasions and kept a very close eye on whether I was doing as I was told. Had it not being for Deirdre, I would not have been on the start-line, never mind the finish line of both marathons. I am extremely grateful to Deirdre for her knowledge, her hard work and the commitment she gives to me when I receive treatment.

I have also been fortunate to have had a Vo2 max test from Chris at the clinic. The information Chris gave me was extremely well explained and has enabled me to use the information to my advantage. The test has changed the way I train, whether I am running, swimming or cycling, and it also changed how I ran my second marathon. Chris's knowledge and professionalism is extremely valuable.

If you have not paid a visit to the Leinster Sports Clinic, I can highly recommend a visit. You will be looked after the minute you walk through the door. Both Deirdre & Chris are extremely committed, knowledgeable and very professional.

The only downside to Deirdre & Chris relocating to Ireland is that I have to have shares in Ryanair for treatment these days.

Margaret Brown: Runner

I first met Deirdre after being referred to her from a sports podiatrist I was seeing. From the first time I met her I was immediately struck by her specialist accurate knowledge, sound diagnosis and professionalism but also her warmth of personality. Deirdre makes you feel you are in safe hands and her expert knowledge comes through when treating you. Her aim is to see you fully recovered and enjoying your chosen sport.

I personally decided a visit to Deirdre's clinic once a month for a maintenance massage would keep me in good condition. I have given her name to more than a dozen friends and acquaintances and not one of them as ever reported a negative comment and I would never recommend someone who I did not think was worthy of recommendation. I now count Deirdre as a very good friend and she has many other qualities other than in her professional work as an honest good, warm, caring person who is an excellent friend, mother and wife. I now will not see anyone else for a massage and I intend to go to Ireland for my treatment or wait for her to visit England.

Kerry Slater, Runner

My husband & I have both just finished our sports massage course, but have continued to visit Deirdre as she is enthusiastic, knowledgeable & proficient.

She has treated us for regular maintenance massages but also worked on our injuries (shin splints, shoulder, groin).

Deirdre's sessions are usually entertaining; we always have a giggle & a good chat- without compromising the treatment! She has an excellent reputation and has had clients that travel from several hours away. She is always willing to share information & advice.

We are just very sorry she has moved so far away- our loss is definitely Irelands gain.

Dr Shaun O'Connell, GP, Selby, North Yorkshire

Deirdre Woods is a superb, highly professional sports therapist. Her background in operating theatres and being a triathlete herself means she knows her stuff, explains treatments well and inspires confidence.

My niggling Achilles Insertion Tendonitis got better in one session of treatment, curing weeks of pain during cycling and ending the anxiety it was going to get worse and stop me exercising. Her treatments helped me recover quickly from hard training events in preparation for the Etape du Tour.

I'm really sorry she's no longer in York!

Paul Cody, Company Director

Being the wrong side of 50 and thinking I am still a teenager, I have been prone to my share of injuries but thanks to Deirdre's skill, patience and compassion, she has always got me up and going very quickly.

Before I first went to Deirdre, I had an injury which I had carried for over ten years and had no realistic ambition of running anything more than a few miles at a time. But thanks to the treatment I received, I completed my first half marathon that same year. I was delighted to cross that finish line and I know for sure that I wouldn't have made it without Deirdre's help.

I never miss an opportunity to promote Deirdre's services to anybody who will listen to me; it's very good to know somebody you're happy to recommend without reservation.

Helen Wilcock: Runner/Triathlete

I enjoy regular competitive running and train hard towards my goals, and although I rarely get badly injured, I often get little niggles that I think could develop into something worse if they weren't given some attention.

I used to go and see Deirdre every couple of weeks for a general sports massage and for her to put right anything that seemed like it was playing up a bit....and that would set me up nicely for continuing training. The niggles would subside and I could get on with my running. I couldn't fault the treatment she gave me and I miss her already!

Brian and Paula Longbone

Teacher and Engineer

We have known Deirdre for 18 months in a professional capacity. After 15 years of constant pain and monthly visits to osteopaths and chiropractors, Dee has been instrumental in eliminating pain and giving us flexibility in our necks, hips and backs and, in the process, giving us invaluable advice on how to prevent further injury and keep pain to the minimum.

Dee is a highly qualified and experienced professional who is well organised, always meticulous and fully committed to the task in hand. She is confident in her opinions, advice and knowledge. Her integrity is beyond doubt and her willingness to listen is invaluable.

On a personal level, in the time that we have known Dee, we have found her to be a committed wife and mother in a stable, loving relationship who has high moral values. We have no hesitation in recommending her skills, she will be a great loss and will be in no certain terms missed. We wish her and her family every success in their new life in Ireland.

David Slater: Ironman
Triathlete

I have being competing in Ironman Triathlon for 8 years - and during that time I have seen many sports therapists both at training camps and independent run clinics. In all, I have been with Deidre for about three years.

You expect all good sports therapists to have knowledge on sports injuries and rehabilitation techniques- and Deidre definitely has that in-depth knowledge. But, on top of that, there are therapists who have something else that makes them stand out - and I would say that Deirdre is most definitely in that category. It is difficult to put your finger on it....it could be the enthusiasm for the job, the banter during the treatment, or that she participates in sports. All I know is she gets me patched up ready to race, and the treatments are as robust and as enjoyable as a sports massage can be.

Sarah Hargreaves, Amateur Runner/Snowboarder

Despite my scarily advancing years, I have only been running for a relatively short period and, during that time, I seem to injure myself on a monotonously regular basis. Having said that, I'm not one to give up, so after being recommended to go see Deirdre by a friend, I now see her more often than I would like (in the nicest possible way!) with varying injuries from IT band problems to recurring Achilles trouble.

I've probably been going to Deirdre with various ailments for a couple of years now and she's always managed to get me back on the road to recovery with plenty of time for me to go out and damage myself in some other way soon after. I really don't know how she's going to manage in Ireland without my regular income!

She may only be pint sized, but she's got thumbs of titanium and she knows what to do with them (and sometimes it hurts!) but, having said that, I would recommend anyone to go and see her, even people I like!