‘My career as a physio began in 1982 when I embarked upon my training at the Prince of Wales School of Physiotherapy in London. My first qualified role was in Scarborough where I was the only Junior Physio in the hospital . I was quite molly coddled and gained amazing experience in Outpatients, Orthopaedics, Paediatrics, medicine (which comprised of stroke, cardiac rehab and respiratory all in one ward) It was here that an inspirational senior sparked my lifelong interest in Neurology.’
Helen Elkins BSc MCSP SRP
My career then took me to Pinderfields Hospital in Wakefield, which had a great ethos of Sport and Exercise therapy having originally been associated with the college of Remedial gymnasts, a profession largely influenced by Army PT instructors.
At this time the 2 professions merged and we all were physios together gaining from each other’s experiences.
I rotated around the different wards departments gaining further experience in paediatrics, spinal Injuries, out patients, orthopaedics, burns and plastics, psychiatry and learning difficulties.
It was in Wakefield here that I had my first promotion to senior Physiotherapist gaining more specialist knowledge in paediatrics, neurology, neurosurgery and intensive care.
Having always loved biology at school and throughout my Physio training, I then decided to return to study and after a period of travelling I attended the University of Sheffield gaining a BSc Hons in Physiology, whilst also continuing to work as a Physio between lectures.
After graduating I returned full time to a physio job based at Rotherham District general where I worked in the community. Missing working with colleagues I found this a little lonely so applied for a Locum job in the Younger Disabled Unit at Nether edge hospital providing rehabilitation for patients with Neurological conditions.
On my first day I knew that I had found my niche and was very pleased to acquire this job permanently when it arose. When the 2 Sheffield hospitals merged this unit relocated to the Northern general hospital.
30 years later I continue to work there as Lead Therapist alongside my work in Bank On Movement (which I joined 5 years ago).
Having achieved advanced Bobath Training my focus in Neurorehabilitation is on assessment of posture and movement with re-education of more normal movement patterns. Management of pain, muscle tone and joint mobility is also a large part of this role. Many patients have experienced trauma so there are often orthopaedic and musculoskeletal injuries too.
I have found working in both areas of practice to be mutually beneficial.
For many years I have complemented my Physiotherapy practice with the use of acupuncture.
Initially Trained from a Western Medical perspective from The British Medical Acupuncture Society and then with Breeze Academy, I also have worked as a tutor on their Foundation Acupuncture and Dry needling Course for health professionals. I have recently completed a Diploma in Acupuncture for the Brain from the London Academy of Chinese Acupuncture and attended their academic exchange with the Nanjing University hospital of Chinese medicine in 2025.
The skills that I have gained within my career I bring to this Role at Bank On Movement.
I continue with my lifelong fascination of how the body works, in particular the nervous system and continue to apply my new learned knowledge to my therapy practice.
Having lived in the Peak District with my family for nearly 25 years I have engaged in lots of different activities both physical and musical enjoying being a Jack-of-all-trades and master-of-none. I still dabble at playing the accordion and occasionally mountain biking (my family are obsessed) but these days I tend to enjoy more gentle past times such as yoga and outdoor swimming, although I do also attend circuit training albeit very slowly. I value the importance of physical activity for physical and mental health and I will strive to maintain my fitness well beyond retirement (not for a few years yet).
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