There is more a physiotherapist can offer than simply passive treatment, and that’s why there is a gym and fitness space in the new clinic run by Bruno Teixeira.The Bermudian physiotherapist and personal trainer opened PhysioActive Ltd, on Par-la-Ville Road, last month. Having an activity space and gym, as well as traditional treatment rooms, is a crucial component to the clinic, he said.“Having a gym was always my big thing. I need to have the big treatment room, a space to actually exercise. To me it makes total sense. If you are going to give exercises to people, why not have the facility, the space,” he said.“There are different approaches to physiotherapy. I’m an active therapist. I definitely lean more on exercise than anything. It’s the most effective approach to rehab, and some people would say it is what actually gets people better and makes them stronger.”His clinic is in the heart of Hamilton’s business district, and that means there are plenty of potential clients nearby — those who find themselves sitting behind a desk for hours on end and “losing years from their life”.Mr Teixeria said: “It’s about getting the working population active. Fitness is crucial, it leads to better lifestyle, longevity and have a more fulfilling life.“We have the potential to be a really active community, but we are not.”Seniors and retirees can do fall prevention programmes and improve their general wellbeing. The clinic has wheelchair access and offers treatments and assessments in English and Portuguese.Mr Teixeira, a former headboy at Warwick Academy, has a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology from Dalhousie University, and a bachelor’s in kinesiology and exercise science from the University of British Columbia.In addition, he has a bachelor’s and postgraduate diploma in physiotherapy from Keele University in England.He has trained in the UK’s National Health Service, and did a spell as a physiotherapist with English professional football club Port Vale.When he returned to Bermuda he worked as a physiotherapist with the Bermuda Hospitals Board for more than five years. While there he “got a feel for what Bermuda needs” and this led to him seeking the opportunity to do more and open his own clinic.PhysioActive is on the ground floor of 14 Par-la-Ville Road. The renovated space includes a gym/fitness space and two private treatment rooms.“Although you have to be active and have a space for strengthening, there is also the need for some of the passive stuff and assessments and some treatments.”The physiotherapy clinic is focused on personal rehabilitation and health prevention goals. Among its treatment options are manual therapy, soft tissue mobilisation massage, acupuncture and electroacupuncture, and dry needling. There’s also patient education, home exercise programmes, gait re-education, self management plans and return to work programmes.Mr Teixeira has a background in sports and as a personal trainer. Between his spells at universities he ran the local company Conscious Movements. Previously he competed for Bermuda in the national swimming team, and while at Port Vale he stayed active and explored different training methods and techniques.During his years working in the clinical physiotherapy with the BHB he saw young people with lower back pain and chronic illnesses, a lot of which could be prevented, such as strokes and cardiovascular disease. “My goal is to empower people and get them active. It’s most gratifying to see a client come in and build some confidence to go out and care for their body and health,” he said.He believes exercise is fundamental to physiotherapy treatment.“The number one thing is the exercising, the strengthening. Some people like to have the assistance, the guidance. Sometimes it is just to get them started, while others enjoy having the one-on-one.”As a personal trainer educated in physiotherapy he can analyse a person’s movements to uncover deficits or areas that need attention to get them stronger or healthier.“Sometimes I get athletes in, gymnasts, runners, and triathletes, and work on those faults and little areas that need a little more tweaking to aid them in their training.”There are also first-timers with ambitions to tackle the Bermuda Day Half Marathon Derby or a local triathlon, who require guidance.“First timers get out there and are going at it, and some are just not educated or not following proper plans that are bettered tailored for them. They pick up injuries and never show up at the start line. So it would be better to get more people healthier and prepared for those things,” Mr Teixeira said.He added: “Then there is the average Joe who has blood pressure creeping up, cholesterol, things like that they need to address before they pick up illnesses.”PhysioActive intends to share fitness and rehab tips on social media. People can book appointments directly on its website, while Mr Teixeira welcomes people to come along and see the facility.It is waiving consultation fees until the end of January. Additionally, it is running a promotion for a 90-day weight-management programme. It can also do packages for corporate entities with fitness goals.“Ultimately it is just getting the community healthy, whether you are sitting at a desk or working on light poles,” Mr Teixeira said. • PhysioActive has a website at www.physioactive.bm and can be reached on 261-2612. On Instagram it can be found @physioactive.bda, while on Twitter it is @PhysioActiveBDA