Dial Square physio Sandy Xaferri was a poster girl for the day when she was selected to showcase her highly commended research at the annual Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP) conference in Glasgow today.

The two-day conference (19-20 Oct) at the Scottish Event Campus brings together the very best in new scientific research, working practices updates and policy analysis on the theme of the power of prevention.

Xaferri, who now works as a physiotherapy practitioner researcher at Guildford High School and St Mary's University was one of a few former honours' students selected to present her dissertation poster on Electrophysical Therapy - improving function and pain after lower limb overuse injuries in military personnel: A systematic review.

There were a number of key takeaways from first day of the conference, which included pelvic health in female athletes, and how it can affect core control and movement, coupled with the need for better education, awareness and management of dysfunction in sport.

The CSP conference, which roots date back to 1896, also held several sessions on concussion management, and prevention with neuromuscular control training, and vision and reaction time training.

There was also a focus on Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injury prevention and management, and specific warm-up exercises that have been developed and proven to reduce ACL injuries if applied regularly. Both directly align with Xaferri's work with The Dial in the Southern Combination Football League.

It was a proud and notable milestone for Dial's physio, who joined Steve Brown's extended football management team in the summer to support players on-and off-the-pitch. Xaferri is now looking at how she can potentially integrate the exercises into Dial's warm up and training schedule without disturbing the pattern of play.

Speaking after the event, Xaferri said: "Non-league footballers are subject to the same injuries as those in the professional game, so it's important that clubs look at the whole person - accounting for all the factors that shape their lives, both on and off the pitch - when deciding on injury management or a return to play. That applies whether you’re a qualified health professional or not.

"Having funding for adjunct therapies such as Electrophysical Therapy could be good, but the most important thing is taking an individualised approach to exercise prescription to aid rehabilitation."

In response to attending and presenting at the conference event, Xaferri said: "I thought the conference was a fantastic experience. I increased my knowledge and came away with ideas to aid my clinical practice. I'm very grateful for the opportunity and excited to put some of what I learned into good use," she added.