Premier Physical Therapy Clinic is run by Garrett Dockery who is a member of the Irish Association of Physical Therapists. Garrett graduated from The Institute of Physical Therapy and Applied Science with a degree in Applied Science and diploma in Physical Therapy. The Institute of Physical Therapy is the founding body of the physical therapy profession in Ireland. The Institute’s innovative and pioneering work in developing the course has been formally recognised and the school is an accepted centre of excellence in the teaching of manual skills and bodywork techniques.
He deals with a wide variety of clients with a diverse range of symptoms and conditions that include sports injuries, overuse injuries, accidents (such as horse riding, skiing, RTA’s) and postural problems.
In 1991 the Irish Association of Physical Therapists (I.A.P.T.) was established as the Professional Body ensuring excellence in the field of musculoskeletal health. The I.A.P.T represents its members who practice Physical Therapy throughout Ireland.
In the late eighties demand was growing for a whole-body, hands-on and natural approach in the treatment of musculoskeletal disorders. To meet this demand, the Institute of Physical Therapy & Applied Science was founded, becoming the first and only school of Physical Therapy at that time, in Ireland.
Since then and in conjunction with leading UK, American and Australian schools, the I.A.P.T. has pioneered a three – year Physical Therapy degree course. The school is unique in Ireland and provides a competency-based education and practical training in a working clinic along side theoretical instruction.
Physical Therapy as practiced by its members has developed over the past 13 years as a separate and distinct form of assessment, treatment and management of musculoskeletal disorders.
There are a number of significant differences between the two professions. Firstly, physiotherapy and physical therapy have been organised within Ireland as discrete professions for two decades. Physiotherapy is a four-year, Level 8 university degree course designed in the main for school leavers, whereas physical therapy is a three-year Level 7 degree course from a private college, designed for mature students and adult learners.
Physiotherapy training focuses primarily on hospital work whereas physical therapy is designed for conditions seen mostly in private practice. Physical therapy training concentrates on the use of manual (or hands-on) techniques exclusively, whereas physiotherapy incorporates electrical modalities were available, such as interferential, ultrasound, tens, laser, and other non-manual treatments. Physical therapists are trained with a view to longer client consultation, incorporating a more holistic approach and a treatment, which by virtue of its hands-on nature, may be more client-centered.
I started in the leisure industry 25 years ago as a fitness instructor. Having encountered many injuries through sport, I then completed courses in massage and sports massage. This finally led me to qualifying as a physical therapist. I have worked with many teams from Gaelic to Rugby. I was the main Physical Therapist with Old Wesley Rugby 1st team for 6 years. A challenging position this gave me a broad knowledge of injuries from everything back/neck dysfunction to ankles, knees. I also administered pitch side first aid.
In 2009 I worked with Riverdance dancers treating them in between shows. I now also teach first aid OFA 3 day and I day courses aswell as refresher to staff members
I also work with many companies in Eastpoint advising them on posture as well as offering First Aid training and onsite therapy. Companies we have worked with: Quintiles, Globaltelesales, Enterprise Ireland and McCann Fitzgerald.
