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.
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.
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
5* Service – Giving 100% in our role is the least a person deserves
Helpful – Our individualized service is based on helping you in every way we can
Opportunities – We see every day as an opportunity to be better than you were yesterday
Respect – Respect yourself, your team and your patients
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.
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.
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.
Ruth Bowe
Senior Physiotherapist &
APPI PIlates Instructor
Ruth completed a masters in Physiotherapy at Brunel University in 2019 following her degree in BSc Sports Rehabilitation and Athletic Therapy from South East Technology University, Ireland in 2017.
Ruth has extensive experience in a variety of professional sports environments, including English teams and institutions Millfield School, University of Leeds and Leeds United Football Club.
Most recently Ruth's worked with Welsh professional sports teams such as Scarlets Rugby, Swansea Football Club and Hockey Wales.
She is level 3 APPI Pilates qualified and absolutely loves teaching rehabilitation centered classes.
Outside of work, her passion for multi sport continues having played and competed in a variety of sports but at present she is focusing on 400m and 200m in athletics with Swansea Harriers AC.
Our Massage Therapists
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Lauren Davies
Massage Therapist
Lauren is a qualified massage therapist who has recently qualified from Cardiff Metropolitan University in Sports Conditioning, rehabilitation and massage.
Lauren is passionate about offering massage services across a diverse population, with experiences ranging from sporting athletes to individuals experiencing day to day tensions as-well as being a support for those transitioning through their rehabilitation process.
Lauren is a keen hockey player and currently plays for Rhondda Ladies.
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Ffion Hansford
Massage Therapist
Ffion is a level 4 qualified massage therapist and gym instructor.
She has extensive experience with various sports teams including WRU Women's U18 and Men's U19.
She has also worked as the pitch side first aider at Aberdare Town Women FC.
Ffion is currently studying for her Sport Therapy Degree in University of South Wales and is due to finish this in 2024.
Our Admin Team
Lynne Davies
Practice Administrator
Lynne joined Back2Front Physiotherapy in 2019 and works part time at the clinic.
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