About Us

Mark Skoyles BSc

Clinical Lead

Marlow Sports Therapy is owned by Graduate Sports Therapist Mark Skoyles.  With a background in 1st Aid he first became involved in Sports Therapy as a profession in 1996 assisting the physiotherapist at Marlow Football Club during 1st team games.

From 1998 to 2015 as Head Therapist he was responsible for pitch-side trauma care and treatment to all the semi-professional players during a fixture packed football season.  He has volunteered his expertise at several elite sporting competitions including:  London 2012 Olympics, World Rowing championships and 2010 World Lacrosse Championships.   Two months studying Acupressure techniques in Thailand meant appreciation of cultural differences between Western (reactive) and Eastern medicine (preventative).  The best of both philosophies are incorporated into client care plans.

Back in the UK Mark completed a BSc (Hons) in Sports Therapy from London Metropolitan University.   Presenting his dissertation project at the 2010 National Society of Sports Therapists Conference (download poster presentation pdf here).   It was a Randomised Controlled Trial looking at effects of hamstring strength to agility in football players.  He has trained with leading US & UK doctors, osteopaths, physiotherapists and is a fully insured member (no. 40884) of the Sports Therapy Organisation.   Also registered with the Natural & Complementary Health Council – no. 30-H14

Using ‘hands-on’ manual therapies his passion is focusing on the care and unique needs of an individual.  He also takes an active interest in ‘movement therapies’ and is a qualified Pilates Instructor and Personal Trainer.  He believes a structured approach to movement is the key factor in injury rehabilitation and prevention and the type of clients he treats are people who are proactive about their own well-being, knowing the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

Mark takes a professional interest in running, gait biomechanics and kinetics.  He has lived in Marlow the majority of his life and is the proud father of two daughters.

Louise Harman BSc

Soft Tissue Therapist

Following a career in education for over 18 years as a Director of Sixth Form, Assistant Vice Principal and PE teacher Louise made the big decision of taking a leap into a new career pathway. She chose Soft Tissue Therapy as in some ways it is similar to working in education as still able to help and support people to ensure they have a happy and healthy life, both physically and mentally. “So far my journey has been a great experience, learning more about the human body and how to aid people when things go wrong!”

As a sportsperson herself, Louise acknowledges the importance of maintaining our bodies in the most efficient way. We need and want our bodies to cope with the demands that we place on it. Soft Tissue Therapy plays a very important role in this, not just when discomfort or injury occurs but to aid us to lessen the chances of becoming injured or in pain.

Having had vast number of years’ experience in education and coaching Louise has a good level of understanding of different people and how each person is individual and unique. She is able to tailor her communication and work to ensure people of all ages and needs are made to feel comfortable and supported. Her career to date also links into my understanding of the importance of rehabilitation and exercise to ensure a healthy body and a healthy mind. Not only for recovery but for prevention and an enhanced lifestyle.

If she was to advise anyone wanting to improve their health and well-being; the most important things to think about are what they are eating and ensuring that they are physically active as much as they possibly can be. A good diet and exercise regime decreases the risk of health problems and leads to a happier and healthier individual, both physically and mentally.

Louise thrives by helping a range of people, from all ages and backgrounds. Being able to support individuals to improve their lifestyle to recover from an injury or illness are huge motivators. She uses a range of skills and understanding to help people make the necessary changes to improve their way of life to structured treatment plans.