FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
Getting Started
No referral is needed. You can book directly online at yourhealthroots.com or call us on 0161 399 0151. As a Chartered Physiotherapist and Clinical Nutritionist, we are primary care providers. We will advise you on the best starting point for your situation at your first appointment.
The best starting point for most people is a complimentary Discovery Triage session — a 15-minute clinical “fit” check where we listen to your history, answer your questions, and tell you honestly whether we are the right team to help. There is no obligation and no hard sell just an honest look at where you are and how we can help. Book online or call us on 0161 399 0151.
Your complimentary Discovery Triage is a 15-minute clinical “fit” check. We listen to your history, answer your concerns, and give you an honest assessment of whether we are the right team to help you reach your goals. If we are, we’ll recommend the most appropriate next step. If we’re not, we’ll tell you that too and point you in the right direction.
Absolutely. We offer high-quality standalone physiotherapy, shockwave, nutrition, yoga, and massage appointments. However, for persistent, complex, or recurring symptoms, we recommend a deeper investigation into your 3 Roots — Biological, Structural, and Nervous System — to find out why the problem started and ensure it doesn’t return.
About the Clinic
Your Health Roots is led by Matt Jenkinson, Chartered Physiotherapist (HCPC and CSP registered, Advanced Pain Management) and Ruth Goulding, Clinical Nutritionist and Yoga Therapist. Matt and Ruth work collaboratively, combining clinical physiotherapy, functional nutrition, and nervous system-based therapies to address the root causes of complex health problems — not just the symptoms.
Yes. Matt Jenkinson is a Chartered Physiotherapist registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP). Ruth Goulding holds a BSc in Nutritional Sciences and is a qualified Yoga Therapist. All practitioners work within their scope of practice and maintain continuous professional development.
Diagnostic Testing
A dry blood spot test uses a simple finger-prick to collect a few drops of blood onto a card, which is then analysed in a specialist laboratory. At Your Health Roots we use these tests to measure your omega fatty acid balance (BalanceTest), gut microbiome health (Gut Health Test), vitamin D levels, HbA1c (blood sugar regulation), and food-specific IgG antibodies. Results give us objective clinical data so we can personalise your care — rather than relying on symptoms alone.
: A food allergy triggers an immediate IgE immune response — the type tested by your GP or an allergy clinic. Reactions are usually fast and obvious (within minutes). A food intolerance involves a slower, delayed IgG antibody reaction — often hours or even days after eating the trigger food — which makes it extremely difficult to identify without testing. Symptoms include bloating, IBS, skin problems, fatigue, headaches, joint pain, and brain fog. Our YorkTest Food Intolerance Test identifies IgG reactions to over 200 foods.
Our YorkTest Food Intolerance Test is £139 and includes a full results consultation. It is also included within our 12-Week Restoration Programme. If you are already booked for a physio or nutrition appointment, ask us about combining your visit to make the most of your time.
Taking supplements is proactive, but how do you know they are working? Not all supplements are created equal, and most of us have dietary gaps somewhere. Our tests give you objective proof of your internal health. For example, if you take omega-3 and your BalanceTest shows you are already “In Balance,” your test fee is refunded. If you are not in balance — as the majority of people in the UK are not — you now know exactly what to address and can track your improvement over time. Test, don’t guess.
“Normal” is not the same as “Thriving.” Standard NHS blood panels are designed to identify serious disease, not optimise health. At Your Health Roots we use functional diagnostics — dry blood spot testing that looks at your omega balance, gut microbiome, vitamin D, blood sugar regulation, and food-specific immune responses. These tests find the imbalances that sit below the “normal” threshold but are enough to drive fatigue, pain, brain fog, and inflammation. If you’ve been told everything looks fine but you still don’t feel fine, this is exactly what we are here for.
Not necessarily. We focus on functional diagnostics to understand how your body is actually working at a cellular level. A significant number of structural investigations such as X-rays and MRIs are not always required and can sometimes lead people toward an overly medicalised path — for example, “wear and tear” arthritis findings that are common on imaging but may not be the actual source of your symptoms. We will advise you if a structural scan is genuinely warranted as part of your assessment.
Physiotherapy & Shockwave Therapy
Radial Shockwave Therapy (RSWT) is clinically evidenced for a range of stubborn tendon and soft tissue conditions that have not responded well to standard physiotherapy. These include plantar fasciitis (heel pain), Achilles tendinopathy, tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis), calcific shoulder tendinopathy, greater trochanteric pain syndrome (lateral hip pain), and patellar tendinopathy. It works by delivering focused acoustic pressure waves to the tissue, stimulating the body’s natural healing response. No needles, no surgery.
Most patients describe the sensation as a deep pressure or mild discomfort during treatment, particularly over the most sensitive area. This is normal and indicates the treatment is targeting the right tissue. Sessions last 5–10 minutes and discomfort resolves quickly afterwards. Some patients experience temporary soreness for 24–48 hours after their first session as the healing response is initiated — this is expected and a positive sign.
: Recurring back pain is rarely just a structural problem. If your symptoms are driven by systemic inflammation — often linked to diet, omega imbalance, gut health, or chronic stress — your tissues will remain sensitised and vulnerable even after manual treatment. At Your Health Roots we investigate all three roots: the structural cause, the biological drivers of inflammation, and the nervous system’s role in maintaining a pain state. Treating all three is what breaks the cycle.
Yes — this is well established in pain neuroscience. Chronic stress increases cortisol, tightens muscles, and sensitises your nervous system, lowering the threshold at which signals are perceived as painful. Our 3-Roots approach addresses the Nervous System Root alongside the structural and biological — because in many cases of persistent pain, especially widespread or recurrent pain, the nervous system is a significant part of the picture. When we address this alongside physical treatment, patients often find that their structural symptoms begin to resolve.