Why Back2Front?
Moving Forward to Better Health
Back2Front means the continuous movement in a positive direction from being in a negative place in your life. Whether this is due to pain, injury or health related problems, we use health and fitness to promote a positive outlook on life. This is our ethos. We want to make you the fittest... the strongest....the healthiest version of you than you could have ever imagined. We are passionate about motivating you and helping you to achieve your goals. That is why you should choose Back2Front!
Our Story
Back2Front Physiotherapy was founded in 2012 by Chris Watts, our Managing Director, in a small room at a local gym, formerly Breezes Gym but now Dare Fitness. With no patients to our name and a second hand bed provided to him by a former patient, Chris set out on his journey to improve the health and lives of people in Aberdare and the surrounding area.
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Fast forward 10 years and the setting could not be more different. We now occupy a fantastic custom designed clinic with 4 specifically designed treatment rooms for Physiotherapy, Massage, Personal Training and Running Analysis alongside an expansive studio space to provide Pilates and Small Group Training.
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In 2022, we as a company decided the name Physiotherapy was holding us back from becoming something bigger, something more than just Physiotherapy. Hence we decided to remove the name Physiotherapy and become Back2Front.
Our Vision
HEALTH - Helping Everyone Achieve Long Term Health
Our Mission
Through a team of expert professionals with a passion for improving health, fitness and performance, Back2Front provide an integrated health and fitness service to give you an opportunity to become the strongest, fittest version of yourself.
Our 5 SHORT Core Values
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5* Service – Giving 100% in our role is the least a person deserves
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Helpful – Our individualized service is based on helping you in every way we can
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Opportunities – We see every day as an opportunity to be better than you were yesterday
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Respect – Respect yourself, your team and your patients
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Teamwork – We are a small community of like minded people with a definitive goal – to help people.
Meet The Team
Our Physiotherapists
Christopher Watts
Lead Physiotherapist &
APPI Pilates Instructor
Chris qualified from the University of Southampton in 2010. He began working in the private sector before establishing Back2Front Physiotherapy in 2012. He was the Head Physiotherapist at Pontypridd RFC for 5 years and was selected to be the Physiotherapist for the international invitational team Samurai Rugby for their tournament in Kenya in 2016.
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Chris enjoys all forms of sport and in 2019, he completed Ironman Wales but is now settling for shorter durations due to the time demands of training for long endurance events.
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He is an APPI trained Pilates Instructor and has been certified as a Running Technique Coach. He leads the Pilates Classes and Gait Analysis services.
Chris is vastly experienced with treating many sporting athletes including rugby, football, hockey, runners and cyclists, utilising a bio-mechanical approach to improve function, reduce pain and returning you to pre-injury function.
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Antony Jones
Physiotherapist
Having spent 22 years working overseas in the USA (2.5 years), Australia (2.5 years), and New Zealand (17 years) I returned to the UK in December 2022 to be near my 3 year old daughter.
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My background is mostly MSK outpatients in public and mostly private settings with experience in sports injury management and return to sport which has expanded into work injury and return to work rehabilitation.
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I love to measure and have completed training in functional capacity evaluation and movement screening for people who seem prone to pick up new injuries or aggravate ‘old’ injuries just when they are trying to get fitter or simply be more active.
I have a special interest in pain and in particular client education and non-pharmaceutical pain management strategies.
Our Massage Therapists
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Lauren Davies
Massage Therapist
Lauren is a qualified massage therapist who qualified from Cardiff Metropolitan University in Sports Conditioning, rehabilitation and massage in 2021.
Lauren is passionate about offering massage services across a diverse population, with experiences ranging from sporting athletes to individuals experiencing day to day tensions.
In addition to her massage expertise, Lauren provides personalised 1:1 rehabilitation sessions and conducts group classes at the clinic. She is dedicated to helping clients achieve their wellness goals through tailored treatments and comprehensive care.
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Lauren is a keen hockey player and plays for Rhondda Ladies Hockey Club.
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Ffion Hansford
Massage Therapist
Ffion is a level 4 qualified massage therapist and gym instructor.
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She has extensive experience with various sports teams including WRU Women's U18 and Men's U19.
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She has also worked as the pitch side first aider at Aberdare Town Women FC.
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Ffion is currently studying for her Sport Therapy Degree in University of South Wales and is due to finish this in 2024.
Our Personal Trainers
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Ben Smart
Personal Trainer / Health & Strength Coach
Ben's journey began 10 years ago when he first started working as a Gym Instructor with a passion for weight training and sports.
Ben has spent time working with a variety of populations; experienced and beginners, young and old.​
Alongside his foundation in exercise rehabilitation through his work within the Physiotherapy department and having a genuine desire to inspire and help individuals on their fitness journey, he is ready to make a positive impact and instil the joy of fitness in both those taking their first steps to a healthier future and those looking to rehabilitate ongoing injuries.
Cameron Lock
Personal Trainer / Health & Strength Coach
My journey in the fitness industry began 5 years ago when qualifying as a fitness instructor with a passion for sport related fitness, strength and hypertrophy training.
More recently I have gained my level 3 personal training qualification and working towards my exercise referral qualification. I currently work with all ages and abilities within the fitness industry and have recently been leading exercise rehab and balance sessions.
My goal now is to provide a more personal service for anyone at any level of experience looking to better themselves in anyway relating to sport, fitness or rehabilitation
Our Admin Team
Lynne Davies
Practice Administrator
Lynne joined Back2Front Physiotherapy in 2019 and works part time at the clinic.
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Lynne manages our reception desk 3 days a week, booking in patients and dealing with patient enquiries via phone and email.
Lynne enjoys crocheting, gardening, decorating and looking after her granddaughter.
Allison Green
Practice Administrator
Allison manages our desk 3 days a week, welcoming and booking in patients as well as dealing with patient enquiries.
Outside of work, she is a keen runner who has competed in multiple 10k events and half marathon. She also enjoys volunteering at races, supporting other runners
She is chair of Nexus Valley Swimming Club & has played a role in the development of the club for 15 years