Mid West Physiotherapy is delighted to introduce to Ryan Barrett who joined our clinical team in December 2024. You might not have met him yet, so we thought it would be nice to ask him a few questions so that you can get to know him too. Learn why he decided to become a physiotherapist, his approach to patient care, and how he integrates movement and exercise into his own daily life.
1. What led you to a career in physiotherapy?
Growing up in Cork, I always had a big interest in sport, especially rugby and hurling. I was fascinated by the physicality of the games and often wondered how players were able to recover from injuries and get back on the field. On a more personal level, I remember seeing my grandad go through physiotherapy when I was younger and watching the difference it made for him. Those experiences together really sparked my interest in physiotherapy and made me want to pursue it as a career- and this led me to studying physio in UL.
2. Describe your career to date?
I have had a short career so far, but it has been really rewarding. I graduated from the University of Limerick in 2024 and started working with rugby, soccer and GAA teams almost straight away. I started working as the team physiotherapist for Bruffâs rugby team early in my career where I gained experience in sports and musculoskeletal injuries. Building on my background in sports injury management, I decided to pursue a career in private practice physiotherapy which led me to my position in Mid West Physiotherapy!
3. What has been the highlight of your career so far?
Honestly, the highlight so far has been starting here. Itâs been such a great fit and Iâm really enjoying it.
4. What is the best thing about your job as a physiotherapist?
The best thing for me is being able to make a difference, helping people feel better and get back to doing what they love. There is also great variety in my job. From sports injuries to post operative rehab, no two days are ever the same. And of course, getting to meet so many different people each day is really rewarding.
5. Youâre meeting a patient for the first time, what is your approach?
I like to start by really getting to know the person. I want to know whatâs important to them, what their goals are and what they want to get back to. I think as physios it is important for us to understand not just the problem, but the person as well. For me, building that good relationship right from the start is essential, because rehab works best when we work together.
6. What is the typical patient journey like with you?
A typical journey with me starts by getting to know the patient and what they want to achieve. In the initial assessment, I will try to find out why the patient has an issue and what we can do to fix it. From there itâs about working together through exercises and hands-on treatment to build towards out shared goals and improve strength mobility and pain. My goal is for patients to feel supported and motivated and to leave knowing theyâre moving in the right direction.
7. What are your clinical specialities and why do they interest you?
I donât have a defined clinical specialty yet, but Iâm particularly interested in the shoulder. From a sporting perspective, Iâve seen and managed a lot of shoulder injuries in rugby and I enjoy the challenge of helping athletes return to performance. At the same time, I find the shoulder fascinating in a non-sporting context too, because of its complexity and how important the joint is to daily function.
8. Tell us about an interesting case that youâve treated lately.
I think every case I see is interesting. But with the championship kicking off again Iâve been seeing a lot of hamstring injuries. Itâs been great working with such determined players on their recovery, and itâs been good to see them getting back to doing what they love again.
9. What is it like to work at Mid West Physiotherapy?
For me, working at Mid West Physiotherapy has been a really great experience. The team is so supportive and friendly here, which makes it a really nice place to come into every day. Thereâs a really good culture of teamwork here, which helps me learn and grow as a physio each day. I also enjoy the variety of patients I get to see; it keeps things interesting and makes every day different. It feels like the perfect environment to develop as a clinician, and it makes it a rewarding place to work.
10. How do you incorporate movement/activity into your own life?
I try to stay active by going for walks or runs during the week whenever I have some free time. Recently Iâve got into playing tennis and golf, which has been a fun way to keep active. And when the weatherâs good, I love getting out for a hike – itâs a great way to switch off and stay active at the same time.
11. With Autumn drawing in, what advice would you give to people to help them to stay active throughout the colder, darker months?
Staying active in Autumn/Winter can be tough with the cold and dark evenings, I struggle with it myself, but little adjustments can help you stay active. Even a quick walk at lunchtime for some daylight can make a difference. Finding something you enjoy indoors can sometimes be the key- like the gym, a class or even a home workout – can all keep you active. And if you can get a friend involved, it makes it more fun and easier to stick with.
12. When should someone seek physiotherapy?
Physiotherapy is there for anyone who feels theyâd benefit from some extra support with movement, recovery, or staying active. We see a lot of acute injuries, but you donât have to wait until youâre in a lot of pain to come in – many people find physio useful for ongoing niggles, old injuries that keep coming back or simply for reassurance and guidance. Itâs really about helping people at any stage, whether theyâre recovering, maintaining or just looking to stay active and healthy.
13. How can I book an appointment with you?
You can book an appointment with me through this link â Iâd love to meet you. Or alternatively you can contact our Clinic Reception on 061-201444 or emailing info@midwestphysio and our Reception team would be delighted to help you out.