David Bowmaker

David has an immense passion for physiotherapy, solutions to help people improve and maintain long term health and fitness. His enthusiasm and passion is the driving force behind his treatment as well as guiding the ongoing development of Life Fit Wellness. Alongside his clinical commitments, David is a firm advocate of self-management and the use of both therapeutic and general exercise to maximise recovery and achieve long-term sustainable improvements and optimal health and function.

Having completed his BSc Physiotherapy, 1991 at Queen Margaret University in Edinburgh he then followed on with an MSc in Sports Science, 1992 at Loughborough University. Clinical work began at The Western General Hospital in Edinburgh where, after several rotations through a variety of medical specialities, he began to specialise in Musculoskeletal and Sports Physiotherapy. In order to further satisfy his thirst for knowledge, he studied a Masters Degree in Manipulative Physiotherapy at The University of South Australia being taught, supervised and mentored by some the world’s most eminent physiotherapists.

Since this time he has used his extensive knowledge and experience to treat elite athletes across many disciplines including Athletics, Swimming and Badminton. Through his role as the Lead Physiotherapist at The Scottish Institute of Sport he has joined Scottish and British teams at many sporting events including World Championships, Commonwealth Games, Winter Olympics and Olympics.

David’s specific clinical interests lie in shoulders (especially in racquet sports), hamstrings, sporting injuries, the development of young athletes and spinal rehabilitation. He currently works with athletes from a variety of sports including tennis, athletics, Taekwondo and many other sports. Alongside his co-director Stewart, David has published and is working on further research related to Swimming and Shoulder Pain.

David enjoys guiding patients into the gym and takes great pride in designing individualised conditioning and rehabilitation programmes appropriate to their specific problem and areas they want to improve on. As well as using his expert physiotherapy and sports science knowledge, he relies on his own sporting experience from Badminton, Tennis, Taekwondo, Running and Nordic Walking. David is also a qualified level 2 tennis coach and Nordic walking Instructor.

Although his passion lies with time in the treatment room and his varied patient demographic, David is also responsible for the overall running, management and development of Life Fit Wellness. Alongside his co-directors Arlene and Stewart, the ethos of optimal care, excellence in customer service and ongoing education and development is permeated throughout the clinic.

As an advocate for physical activity and practising what he preaches, David regularly runs, Nordic walks and attends Yoga. Although he is no longer good enough to play a full set with his tennis playing sons, he does manage the odd game. Constantly striving to be at the top of any game, he does also daydream about getting back to Taekwondo to achieve that elusive Black Belt….