Gillian O’Kane

Women’s Health Physiotherapist

PELVIC HEALTH PHYSIOTHERAPIST / PILATES INSTRUCTOR | @GILLIANOKANE 

Gillian is a fully qualified Chartered Physiotherapist who has worked extensively within the NHS and private practice. She has specialised in Pelvic Health for the last 8 years and opened her own Pelvic Health Physiotherapy practice in January 2019. Gillian trained as a Pilates instructor through the Australian Physiotherapy and Pilates Institute in 2016, and has since delivered a variety of classes throughout the West of Scotland.

Gillian has a passion for women’s health physiotherapy. Her mission is to ensure women can access evidence-based physiotherapy for the treatment of pelvic problems. The evidence is strong within pelvic health physiotherapy therefore no one should suffer with incontinence, prolapse and pelvic pain during pregnancy, postnatally or in later life.

Here at Aristos, Gillian’s unique skillset can offer you a bespoke pelvic health physiotherapy service. Whether you are currently experiencing pelvic health problems, or wish to prevent future issues, there are a diverse range of physiotherapy services available for you to choose from.

Here is Gillian’s story…

"From a young age sport and exercise has been an integral part of my life. I was involved in athletics growing up in Edinburgh; competing in 60m, 100m and 200m races across Scottish and district championships and winning various medals. Unfortunately, I fell away from sprinting, however managed to maintain a healthy relationship with exercise throughout the years.

Upon leaving school I found myself working in various administrative roles, joining the Civil Service in 2001; however I never really felt settled in that career. This led to some soul searching, realising that if I didn’t change career then, I never would.

I took some time off work and investigated various careers which led me to complete a HND in Sports Therapy in Glasgow’s Central College of Commerce in 2007. I then progressed onto an Undergraduate Degree in Physiotherapy at Glasgow Caledonian University in 2011. It was a tough and long process trying to balance work as a Civil Servant whilst fulfilling my academic responsibilities but my determination and resilience paid off, as I handed in my notice in 2012 and began my new career as a Physiotherapist.

I joined the Royal Alexandra Hospital as a rotational physiotherapist and moved into Women’s Health in my 4th rotation, spending 8 months there. I never really considered Women’s Health at the time as part of physiotherapy, however I instantly fell in love with this specialist field. Having achieved promotion to become a Senior Pelvic Health Physiotherapist, I then progressed my passion for Pilates by becoming a Pilates Instructor through the Australian Physiotherapy & Pilates Institute (APPI). I have since built up 7 highly successful Pilates classes across Glasgow & East Ayrshire, and have gained further qualifications in Sport & Remedial Massage, Pregnancy Massage, Acupuncture and Hypopressives.

Being a Pelvic Health Physiotherapist, I am passionate about helping women regain strength and confidence in their bodies to achieve their goals through many stages of life. This passion propelled me into pursuing one of my goals of setting up my own Pelvic Health clinic in Glasgow, which I extended to Stewarton (East Ayrshire), and reducing my work with the NHS to part-time.

I returned back to Stewarton in 2019 to be closer to my family, and have never felt more settled. Having tried CrossFit in Glasgow, I was keen to join Aristos Fitness (then CrossFit Stewarton), and I have loved every minute of it. I have never felt more in control of my fitness and nutrition. You instantly feel a real sense of community which has also greatly helped my husband settle in Stewarton.

Having the opportunity to not only train with Aristos Fitness but to collaborate with them in business, providing pelvic health services, is an exciting opportunity that I am looking forward to developing.”

Client Testimonials

“Pretty chuffed to have come from shuffling 3km in July to running 13km in December - thank you Aristos Fitness & Gillian O’Kane! :)”

“I couldn’t recommend Gillian highly enough. She has been a fantastic teacher for me over the last few months during the postnatal period and beyond. Her 1:1 lesson’s are focused and adapted to your individual needs, whilst being so enjoyable that the time flies in. Her expertise, experience, professionalism, personality and own ability amalgamate to provide great a great service and great results! Thank you so much.”

- Melanie, 1:1 Pilates Client.

“Hypopressive exercises have made all the difference to my Post Natal recovery. I am so delighted with the results! These are the first exercises I have done that have made a noticeable difference to the improvement of my diastasis recti and prolapse.”

- Laura, Women’s Health Physio Client.

“I have worked with Gillian throughout two pregnancies and through the postnatal period. I can honestly say I do not know what I would have done without her ongoing help and support! I suffered severe pelvic pain in both pregnancies and unfortunately this started incredibly early on in my second pregnancy. I saw Gillian from the beginning and through massage and acupuncture, together we managed the condition as best it could be given how severe the pain was. I also went to Gillian’s Pilates class which was not initially designed for pregnancy however Gillian could adapt the exercises and accommodate, firstly, me being pregnant and secondly, the pelvic pain I had. There was then a Pilates class she developed specifically for pregnancy so I then could do this class, again I still needed adapted exercises for my ongoing pain. It was only through the ongoing support and treatment from Gillian throughout the second pregnancy that kept me out of a wheelchair, (as I had to use the first time) and also meant I could carry on working up to 35 weeks pregnant! This was a huge achievement for me as previously I could only work up until 20 weeks. This for me shows the massive benefits of having a physio who, through a range of treatments, can make the biggest difference to your quality of life.”

- Sarah, Women’s Health Physio & Pilates Client.

Book an Appointment

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