HIGHPOINT PHYSIO - THE STORY
The Physio
Jack graduated with a First Class (Honours) degree (BSc) in physiotherapy from Keele University in 2017. He has worked for NHS Scotland for the last 7 years, predominantly in MSK outpatients. Jack draws from extensive clinical experience, having treated injuries from head to toe. Of particular relevance to climbing is that Jack spent 18 months specialising in assessing and treating injuries of the hand and upper limb. While he is happy treating any injury that walks through the door, Jack has developed clinical interests in the management of injuries of the hand and upper limb, return to sport post-trauma/surgery, and the application of strength and conditioning principles to rehabilitation. Part of providing a high standard of physiotherapy is the integration of up-to-date evidence, research and clinical knowledge into practice. The goal of Highpoint Physiotherapy is to provide this service for both climbers and non-climbers in Scotland (and further afield!). Jack is registered with the Health & Care Professions Council, a full member of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy and an associate member of the UK Strength and Conditioning Association.
The Climber
Jack started climbing aged 20, spending the first few years trad climbing on the little sandstone outcrops of the North Yorkshire Moors and the Yorkshire gritstone crags. University wasn’t far from the Peak, allowing him to gradually become accustomed to Western grit and North Wales. After graduating he headed north to the Highlands. With more free time and bags of enthusiasm, visiting crags and mountains across Scotland was a weekly occurrence. Then he discovered bouldering… On a serious note, a scary trad accident that he was lucky to walk away from helped point him towards sport climbing and bouldering. With lots of psyche to improve Jack read everything he could about performance, training and the psychology of hard rock climbing and, bouncing between projects (and injuries!), started to appreciate what it takes to pursue harder rock climbs. Armed with a bouldering pad and (sometimes!) a crew of psyched friends he explored bouldering venues across Scotland, becoming established at sending problems in the mid F7s. Shift after shift on local sport projects saw him send a sport route in the 8th grade for the first time in 2023. Jack’s dedication to the sport has allowed him to learn a lot about training and progression in climbing. This sets Highpoint Physiotherapy apart: a modern, evidence-based approach to physio combined with a full understanding of the intricacies of rock climbing and mountain activities. First-hand experience of climbing injuries also helps!
The Ethos
This is the important part. Highpoint Physiotherapy combines a passion for rock climbing and the outdoors, and physiotherapy. It aims to provide the Scottish climbing and outdoor community with an accessible, modern and evidence-based physiotherapy service, that at its core promotes education and self-management. Being friendly and approachable is important too, so please say hi at the crag, on the hill or at the wall! From a thorough initial assessment, shedding light on the why as well as the what, to collaborative planning, the priority is to ensure you leave your appointment with a better understanding of what’s going on and a clear plan for moving forward, all with the aim of getting you back to doing what you love as soon as possible. A key component of Highpoint Physiotherapy is striving to learn and improve. Staying up to date with current research, networking with climbing physiotherapists across the world and leaving no stone unturned, you can rest assured that the physiotherapy you receive aligns with the best practice out there. In line with this, Highpoint Physiotherapy does not engage with practices that are dated and not supported by current research or best clinical knowledge.