Benjamin Hickman 

MPhty, BExPhys

Ben is a Sydney based physiotherapist, exercise physiologist and personal trainer with a background in martial arts, weightlifting, pilates and gymnastics. Ben is constantly looking to develop himself as a practitioner and is pursuing a PhD in dance research beginning in 2019 along with a number of other coaching and nutrition qualifications.

Ben has worked with a diverse range of clientele across Sydney in a number of clinics and gyms in the areas of injury rehabilitation, exercise as prevention, group training, strength and conditioning and nutritional consultations. He has also gained experience internationally in countries such as Singapore alongside Sports Doctors and Orthopaedic Surgeons, Fiji conducting health screenings and combined exercise and nutritional interventions for local villagers and Sri Lanka giving presentations to hospital-based physiotherapists on the use of exercise as medicine and orthopaedic rehabilitation to working with Ayurvedic doctors around acute and chronic patient care. 

Ben's greatest satisfaction comes from contributing to the growth of the individual whether it be improving posture, strength, successful rehabilitation or making a lifestyle change through reducing stressors or nutritional guidance.

Qualifications

University Qualifications

•          Masters of Research (Applied Science) Candidate (University of Sydney) 

•          Masters of Physiotherapy (University of Sydney)

•          Bachelor of Exercise Physiology (University of New South Wales) 

Additional Qualifications

Rehab/Movement/Exercise

•          Pain Physiotherapy Level 1

•          Sports Physiotherapy Level 1

•          EXOS Physical Therapy and Sports Medicine Framework 

•          Neuro Orthopaedic Rehabilitation Level 2

•          Neuro-orthopaedic Group Explain Pain and Graded Motor Imagery 

•          CHEK Integrated Movement Scientist Level 1/2

•          Neurokinetic Therapy

•          Dry Needling

•          Selective Functional Movement Assessment (SFMA)

•          Functional Movement Screen (FMS) Level 1/2

•          Functional Breathing Screen (FBS)

•          Active Release Technique (ART)

•          Certified Boxing Fitness Trainer

•          Stuart McGill Level 1/2

•          Sports Trainer Level 1

•          Strength & Conditioning Coach Level 1

•          Club Weightlifting/Sports Power Coach Level 1

•          Certificate 3 & 4 in Fitness

Nutrition/Lifestyle

•          CHEK Holistic Lifestyle Coach Level 1/2

•          Sports Nutrition Certificate

•          Paleo Nutrition Certificate

•          Raw Food Nutrition Certificate 

Personal Experience

From a young age I have always been interested in sports and physical activity. Despite training most days during the week I found myself chronically sick, sad, overweight and injured. Like most people I tried to find a magical pill, program or diet that would fast track my way to a better body and disposition. I soon realised that all these fads, shortcuts and supplements were ineffective and what had to change was the lifestyle choices I made from day to day.

I believe these experiences give me the perspective and understanding to empathise with the pain and frustration many people go through when trying to live a healthier life. This experience and knowledge has inspired me to teach and encourage others along a similar journey and help them identify live and respond to their environment appropriately.

With my clinical background I always refer to a strong research based to provide the most relevant and effective interventions but also incorporating the goals of the individual. We may discuss the areas of movement, nutrition, sleep, energy, stress resilience and positive psychology but the ultimate goal should reflect what the client loves.

Philosophy

We live in a post-industrial age where we have been displaced from our basic functioning as human beings. In a society filled with commitments and instant gratification, there are few things that work to strengthen and nourish the body and mind. When illness or disease does manifest in the body there tends to be a focus on seeing the correct specialist to treat and reduce the symptoms of the particular disease. In the end many of us are not reaching our full potential of becoming the best version of ourselves. What I find is lacking is an holistic approach to addressing the needs of the client. There needs to be a continuum from exploration of the root cause of the disease to treatment and use of movement in both a specific and generalised context to bring the client back to optimal functioning. 

I see life as a journey of exploration and it is the same with movement. No one in this day and age lives without their restrictions and limitations from the elderly living with chronic diseases such as osteoarthritis and diabetes to amateur and elite athletes attempting to balance work/life commitments with general wellbeing and training. My philosophy is about using movement as medicine as both prevention and as a treatment for many acute and chronic diseases.