Ana Freitas

Bio continued

Originally from Brazil, Ana’s journey into the healthcare field started with a personal experience. At the age of 16, she was diagnosed with functional scoliosis caused by a leg length discrepancy. She was advised to undergo surgery and received treatment from an osteopath, who played a vital role in guiding her through her rehabilitation. She also introduced her to the benefits of osteopathy, naturopathy, aromatherapy, and mindfulness. Their encounters helped Ana discover her passion for natural healing and inspired her to empower patients to take an active role in their own journey to self-healing.

Only in the UK she was able to pursue that passion through her Master’s degree program in Osteopathy. Throughout her academic journey, she has consistently demonstrated a commitment to excellence and a drive for self-improvement. She is constantly dedicating herself to expanding her skills and her understanding of the human body and its intricacies.

As an enthusiastic learner, Ana has taken various opportunities to expand her horizons beyond the classroom. She actively seeks out workshops and public talks, attending sessions on topics such as:

• Cranial Osteopathy
• Exercise prescription
• Patient Satisfaction
• Mental health
• Psychosomatic pain
• The crucial role of the pelvic floor in female health.

Though she is not qualified in these areas yet, she applies their concepts on her treatments whenever they feel necessary.

In addition, her interest in women’s health and fluid drainage led her to become qualified in the following areas:

Pregnancy massage
Manual lymphatic drainage

Outside of her academic and professional life, Ana has a personal interest in languages and culture. Fluent in both Portuguese and English with an intermediate understanding of Spanish, she values effective communication and recognizes the importance of making her patients feel heard and understood. She is also determined to expand her language skills, with plans to learn British Sign Language and French.

Currently treating patients at her student clinic, Ana remains devoted to refining her clinical skills and expanding her patient list. She utilizes her reflective diary and seeks guidance from her tutors to continually elevate her practice. To cultivate a well-rounded skill set, she exposes herself to a diverse range of patients and practice educators. By immersing herself in this rich environment, she gains insight into various perspectives, ensuring that her treatment approach is inclusive, empathetic, and compassionate.

In addition, her approach to patient care is anchored in customization and personalized treatments. She prides herself on tailoring her techniques to meet the unique needs and circumstances of everyone she treats. By employing active listening skills, she gains a profound understanding of her patient’s concerns, requests, and expectations, allowing her to co-create a treatment plan that is most effective and aligned with their goals.

Reflecting on her experiences, Ana acknowledges that true holistic treatment requires teamwork between practitioner and patient. She believes that the patient is the main character in their own healing journey, and her role as a therapist is to facilitate and support that narrative. This collaborative approach has earned her the trust and gratitude of many patients who have benefited from her personalized care and genuine compassion.

Beyond her professional endeavours, Ana is a multifaceted individual with a collection of hobbies and interests. She delights in cooking and baking, finding joy in experimenting with different flavours and creating dishes for herself and her loved ones. Books are her constant companions, and she can often be found immersed in the pages of novels that transport her to different places. Additionally, she also enjoys watching TV series and listening to music, finding inspiration in their diverse narratives and melodies.

Perhaps one of her favourite hobbies is creative writing, which allows her to express herself. Through stories and poetry, Ana uses her creativity to explore her perspective of the world, demonstrating her artistic sensibility and connection with her emotions.

Ana also values the significance of family and friends in her life. She enjoys spending quality time with her loved ones, finding their company to be a source of comfort, joy, and rejuvenation. Also, she recently started a new hobby by embarking on a Dungeons and Dragons campaign, with the aim of unwinding and gathering with her friends to progress their adventure.

Moving forward, Ana envisions a career characterized by continuous learning, the refinement of her skills, and an unwavering commitment to the well-being of her patients. She aspires to become a recognized authority in her areas of interest, contributing to the advancement of osteopathic practice and patient care. As a therapist, she aims to support her patients in dealing with their symptoms and guide them through rehabilitation. Most importantly, her ultimate goal is to empower them to embark on their healing journeys with confidence and hope.