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Brandworks Rehabilitation

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Whether you have a stiff neck from incorrect work desk set up, are suffering a whiplash or have a herniated cervical disc, we can help you.

We often treat necks in conjunction with shoulders as one oftentimes has a bearing on the other. 

Did you know that issue with the deep flexors of the neck is the cause of many peoples headaches, which no amount ibuprofen will remedy.

Amanda Pearson:

I first met Ben in 2017 when I had a shoulder injury caused by over training at a local gym.  He got rid of my pain in a few sessions of therapy, and then a few more sessions of focused rehabilitation in his studio has made sure it has returned. 

Great!

But…then came surgery…

In 2022 I had a disc replaced in my neck, this was caused by wear and tear and probably poor posture at work.  

Ben helped me post-surgery again with some tissue therapy, and then rehab exercises. The physio provided to me by the hospital was very little, and was in some areas possibly out of date.  

Ben also made a few adjustments to my workplace set up, and I had a great recovery, all thanks to Ben, and have had no further problems with my neck.

I have recommended (and continue to) Ben to everyone I come across who needs pain fixed, or is due to have a procedure that requires rehab/physio. 

Neck pain

Cervical Disc Replacement

With thirty years experience in rehabilitation, both as a practitioner and teacher, Ben has helped people with all manner of conditions, ranging from plantar fasciitis  to cervical spine herniation. 

Specialising in spinal rehabilitation and pre and post surgery rehabilitation, particularly hip and knee replacement, for those who cannot get to the studio home visits can be arranged.

Ben Brand

Being filed performing accupuncture.

Navigating Knee Rehabilitation: A Staged Approach

Recovering from knee injuries or surgeries involves a carefully orchestrated dance—like learning the steps to your favorite song. 🎵 Follow these steps and it’s like hitting the dance floor with newfound confidence. 🕺Let’s break it down into stages, shall we?

Stage 1 Early Moves: 

Protect and Reduce Swelling

Imagine this as the opening act. After surgery, your knee needs protection and a gentle touch. 

Dressings shield it from the world and infection, while elevation keeps internal drama in check (read: swelling; elevation limits internal bleeding and excess fluid secretion). 

But don’t linger too long—those quads need to wake up and join the party! This period can only be for a few days to avoid your quadriceps becoming inhibited.

Acupuncture is particularly useful at this stage to aid swelling reduction. It’s like having a backstage pass to the cool club!

Inflammation Interlude: Ice and Chill

Cue the ice packs and anti-inflammatory medication, for reduction of joint irritation and fluid accumulation. 

Cryotherapy soothes the joint lining, and medications play their part. Meanwhile, bulky dressings take a backstage break during treatment sessions, often consisting of acupuncture and some soft tissue work, alongside early stage exercises. 

Break Down: Adhesion Liberation; Breaking Sticky Bonds

Adhesions—those clingy strands formed in your soft tissue—can lock up the joint. Picture them as stubborn cobwebs. 

Massage, acupuncture and stretching help break them down, preventing them forming into scar tissue. Pay extra attention to the kneecap—it’s like the VIP section for adhesions.

Detective Mode: Early Infection Watch

Superficial infections? They’re like minor plot twists—skin redness, localized swelling, and a touch of creamy discharge. Nothing to be unduly concerned about, but should be brought under control-topical antiseptic and dressing changes. But deep infections?

Emergency alert! Typically the whole joint turns hot, swollen, and red. Swift action is required here, early identification and action avoids septic arthritis. 

Stage 2 Quads Unleashed: Breaking Inhibition

Early Stage: Restoring Range of Motion
The spotlight’s on, but your quads are still hesitant. It's like they have forgotten the words! 

Post- surgery, your quads might play hard to get. This is normal. They’re there, but your leg just won’t straighten, it needs a nudge. Enter quad exercises—the superhero move to activate those muscles.

First on the agenda is to get passive extension exercises going. Passive range of motion exercises (assisted movement of your knee) will keep the joint articulation in good order, but active extension exercises are required here.

Flexion (bending) gets a boost from active assisted flexions, but full extension is the main focus here as this enables you to stand unsupported. No extension lag allowed—this isn’t a cliffhanger! 


Stage 3 Proprioception: Finding Your Balance

Proprioception—your knee’s GPS—needs recalibration. Loss of proprioception (your joints' awareness of where it is) can lead to stumbles and falls.

Balance exercises, wobble boards, and fancy footwork restore that inner compass. You’re not just dancing; you’re choreographing your knee’s comeback tour!

Last Stage Grand Finale: Gait Patterns and Muscle Strength

Time to strut your stuff! 

Normal gait patterns must be restored as muscle strength is rebuilt. Continued limping leads to muscle imbalance and aches and pains, often in your back and other leg.

Increased muscle strength will stabilise the joint, from but can only be developed after the above stages have been followed.

It’s like hitting the dance floor with newfound confidence. 🕺

Remember, this rehab playlist is personalized. Consult your healthcare team—they’re your backstage crew, making sure you steal the show!  🌟

Amanda Pearson:

"I first met Ben in 2017 when I had a shoulder injury caused by over training at a local gym. Ben quickly fixed this and all was going great.

But…then came surgery…

In 2022 I had a disc replaced in my neck, this was caused by wear and tear and probably poor
posture at work. 

Ben helped me post-surgery with rehab exercises. The physio provided to me by the hospital was very little and was in some areas possibly out of date. I had a great recovery thanks to Ben and have had no further problems with my neck.

But then...

Knees! 

I have bad knees, again not from injury but from wear and tear and having a slightly wonky
skeleton!

In March this year I had a half knee replacement on my right knee, this was done by Mr Rees, an
knee specialist at Springfield hospital, he did a great job, before and after xrays attached.

My recovery has been fantastic.

I saw Ben for prehab exercises and treatment which meant my knee was in its best condition before surgery, this is a really important part of preparing for an operation which I think many people are unaware of.

After my op, Ben visited me at home as I couldn’t drive, about 5 days after surgery, and gave me some treatment (acupuncture) and some exercises to start my recovery with. I had been given exercises from the hospital but just a generalised hand out, not specifically for me.

Ben continued to visit me at home once a week which was really helpful, it’s really hard to manage
recovery when you can’t drive and live alone.

Mr Rees was amazed at the movement that I had in my joint at my first follow up appointment, it
was almost as good as they expect to see at full recovery!!

Once I was able to drive I visited Ben either at his facility and treatment rooms in Chelmsford or
Mersea. 

I am now 6 months post knee replacement and have had my final check up with my surgeon, he was again delighted with my progress and has asked for Bens Business card so he can spread the word.

Going through the knee replacement has been painful and at times scary... there were times when I worried I was never going to improve. Ben has been a constant support and cheerleader, both
physically and mentally, answering all my questions and worries with patience, solutions and only the odd eyeroll!!

I even went back out for a boogie this weekend!! I thought those days were long gone for me.

So Big thanks to Ben for getting me through this and back on the dance floor!!"

Sara Hodges:

"The debilitating and constant pain of a diseased joint which can only be resolved by a joint replacement inevitably results in us becoming less mobile - we stop walking the dog, playing golf, getting on the floor to play with the grandchildren.  

We are no longer able to enjoy activities which were commonplace in our lives, walking on the beach, maybe travelling through airports, the joy is sapped out of life and relationships and mental health can be compromised.

So when we eventually get a date for the operation, many of us are not in tip top condition to deal with the pain, and gruelling exercise regime which is essential to our effective recovery and our path back to full health. And that was my problem!

Imagine how delighted I was when a friend recommended Ben to me - I went to see him two or three times a week, 6 weeks prior to my op, and we worked on strengthening my core and legs.  

We worked hard, it was not easy and sometimes I wondered if it was worthwhile. Ben encouraged, reassured and never gave up on me - he talked me through the processes and showed me what to do.   

So when I came to do the many sets of daily exercises post op, my increased strength enabled me and gave me the confidence to push through the pain and I found a determination and resilience which I did not really realise I had. Thanks Ben!

I was back in the studio a couple of weeks after the op, and gently Ben helped me to get back into training, helping to strengthen my muscles and increase mobility in my leg and I continued one to one sessions with him for six months thereafter.

In addition to the rehab training, Ben gave me acupuncture and massage treatments which helped loosen up the stiffness. And gradually my strength and mobility returned. 

With the goal of a walking holiday in the Outer Hebrides six months post op I worked hard, and as I walked along those heavenly beaches, I realised that my new knee was really part of a new me. 

I have continued to train with Ben and his colleagues, and now 18 months post op I am back to playing golf and looking after the grandchildren, (sadly the dog is no more)."

Kelly Dines

Kelly underwent arthroscopic meniscectomy. 

"My knees had become so sore I was wondering if I would have to give up my absolute loves - Golf and skiing!

I was recommended to Ben by a fellow golfer, and started a program or prehab before my op.

The prehab meant I commenced my rehab after my op much fitter than I would have been, and made my recovery so much faster.

Ben's combined acupuncture, massage and exercises had me back on my feet (literally!) so much sooner than I thought I would be.

I have returned to the slopes and fairways, including a win! And best of all, so my wife tells me, stopped complaining about my knee pains!"


Knees

Back to work with no more knee pain!

Partial Knee Replacement

 Whether you suffer from runners knee, shoulder pain in the gym, tennis elbow or had a fall or knock, we can diagnose and treat your injury.

The image below shows the rehabilitation of an achilles tendon rupture, post surgery. In James' own words:

James Eagle

"I was very concerned I would be left with a permanent limp and not get back to fitness, especially after being in a boot for what seemed like months. 

The rehabilitation process is not only physical, but is something of a mental journey as well. Ben helped with both of these. I even got to run the line again, something I was told I'd never be able to do!". 

Sports Injury

Achilles Rupture Rehabilitation

Skiing

Arthroscopic Meniscectomy 

Golf

We specialise in shoulder pain and injury rehabilitation, ranging from Frozen Shoulder to surgery pre and rehabilitation.

In the images below, you can see the before and after of a significant shoulder injury from a horse riding accident. There were multiple fractures and displacements throughout the arm, but the main damage was specifically in both shoulders.

The x-rays show the metal work that was needed from 3 surgeries to put the shoulder back together. The client came to see me 3 weeks after the surgery, when he could not lift his arm, and the video below shows progress after just 7 weeks of rehabilitation: "My surgeon was very impressed at the speed and level of my recovery, all thanks to Ben". 

For Chris' rehabilitation we targeted exercises to focus on recovering the full range of movement and then slowly introduced resistance work. 

We tailor your rehabilitation plan which can include acupuncture, training and physiotherapy.

The other image shows Peter holding his granddaughter, something he was previously unable to do due to his frozen shoulder. 

An 8 week rehabilitation program meant he could pick up his granddaughter, not to mention perform everyday actions that he had been unable to do for over a year:

"If you are suffering pain then you really must contact Ben, he had the solution when no one else was getting any results for me. I cannot recommend highly enough". 

Shoulders

Frozen Shoulder

We have been helping people with back pain for over 20 years. 

In conjunction with The London Spine Clinic, and principle neuro-surgeon John Sutcliffe, we provide pre and post surgery rehabilitation, and spinal injection rehabilitation. We can also refer for MRI scans. 

Back pain relief treatment includes acupuncture, soft tissue work, and chiropractic style spinal manipulation, as well as rehabilitation sessions to ensure your pain does not return. These include elements of pilates, yoga and specific spinal rehabilitation  exercises. 

Below is an image of one patients scan, and their experience.

Nigel Fox:

I came to Ben on recommendation July 23 for treatment for a frozen shoulder.  Early in my treatment I mentioned to Ben that I had some numbness in my lower/mid back and wondered if it was related.  

After examination and further discussion Ben referred me to a surgeon colleague of his, impressing on me the urgency of the referral and recommending I seek an MRI scan as soon as possible.  

After evaluation I was diagnosed with an unrelated spinal stenosis which required urgent decompression surgery.  The picture shows the level of stenosis with just a few millimeters gap at the greatest point of compression.

The surgery was successful and Ben switched focus to spinal rehabilitation whilst also taking care of my frozen shoulder.  

His skill lies in his ability to quicky adjust your rehabilitation requirements, even within sessions, depending on the feedback you give, your symptoms and how he feels you might best recover.  The process changes over time as the body heals.  

I am forever grateful to Ben for picking up my spinal cord issue as left untreated it could have left me with poor or no use of my legs.

Despite the seriousness of my issues.  He is always very positive, both in energy and encouragement. This cannot be underestimated as there are plenty of low moments as well as those highs where you achieve something that didn't seem possible a few weeks earlier.  I’d like to thank Ben and his team, who have also worked with me in my rehabilitation.  

The care has been exceptional.  If you have injuries, seemingly simple or complex, I'd strongly encourage you to speak with Ben. 


Backs and Sciatica

Spinal Stenosis

Pre surgery

12 weeks post surgery

Post surgery

Including Tennis Elbow, Golfers Elbow.

Understanding how the body moves, biomechanics, is a vital yet often misunderstood aspect of rehabilitation. After early stage rehab, many patients are not progressed to be fully "match fit". 

In the video below, you can see the rehabilitation of a particularly nasty break of the radius and ulnar, which included surgery.

Before you apply certain exercises to ANY condition, the mechanics must be understood. Make sure you aren't causing more problems. In this example, these bones work together in rotation of the forearm. Therefore, simple extension and flexion of the wrist just wont cut it! For full rehabilitation, there must be strength in the different planes of motion.

This exercise is also good for tennis/golfers elbows.


Services

Backs and Sciatica

Team

Ben Brand

General Contacts