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Referral Pathway for
Medical Professionals

Refer your Patients with Ease and Confidence

Referral Pathway for Medical Professionals

Refer your Patients with Ease and Confidence

Older adult doing strength exercise with physiotherapist at The Masters Program Dublin

Why Medical Professionals Refer to The Masters Program 

The Masters Program is a physiotherapist-led strength and rehabilitation class for over 55's. We have been running our Masters Program for 5 years. We have seen life changing results. 

  • Prerequisite physiotherapy consultation for all new members.
    All new members begin on their own, individualised Foundations Program. No 'one size fits all' approach.

  • Expert and experienced physiotherapists to manage ongoing pain / problems, co-morbidities and medical history.
    We have a unique skill in assessing new members and finding the right plan for them. Concurrently rehabbing their problems, whilst training other body parts / joints.

  • Track record.
    We have over 400 5-Star Reviews. We have over 40 classes a week. We have been on Ireland AM, RTE Radio One and the Karl Henry Podcast. We have held large scale educational days and get referrals from some of the best Orthopaedic Consultants and Sports Medicine Consultants in the country.

  • Our members: We have members with cancer, Parkinson's, Polio, joint replacements, spinal surgeries, Osteoporosis, Cardiac histories - and they are all getting fitter and stronger with consistent exercise. These are regular people, reaping the rewards of regular resistance training.

  • Our complete service includes nutrition input from our nutritionist. We have monthly Expert Guest Talks from outside experts on health / age related topics. We promote Aerobic exercise and 'Cardio' Days outside the gym were appropriate. We have monthly access to our In-Body Scanner for body composition measurements. We have Pilates classes, coffee mornings and group walks. We are determined to make this the best, and most complete, service of its kind in the country.

  • Suitable for patients who have never exercised before.
    In fact, these newcomers often see the highest and quickest rates of improvement. We start them with a very low dose of training, and gradual progress this over weeks and months. We have a long term plan. We are not interested in quick fixes. 

  • Also, very suitable for patients who are otherwise fit, strong and healthy.
    Why wait for this to decrease? Prevention is better than treatment. Let's keep them strong and fit - and actually try and improve this! We can cater for all abilities and fitness levels and run the Program in a way that each individual gets the right amount of training for their needs.
  • Proper resistance training.
    We have a world class facility. We have state-of the art equipment. This is not a chair based class. We can properly (and appropriately) load our members and we have an expert understanding of the science of strength and conditioning and how to maximise the benefits of the class. We have a low floor (members can come in and do very little and use very low weights) but a high ceiling (the equipment allows for unlimited progression).

  • Excellent communication and referral process.
    We strive to feedback to our refers at regular intervals and provide both our members and their refers with bi annual reports of their progress.

  • Proven results.
    We have hundreds of members lifting weights they never thought possible. Dozens of DEXA scans showing significant improvements in BMD. Members reducing their blood pressure medication, losing weight, lowering their heart rates, improving their muscle mass. The list goes on.

What are the current recommendations around exercise for older adults?

The World Health Organisation, The American College of Sports Medicine and the HSE all offer recommendations for older adults when it comes to exercise. They split these recommendations into cardiovascular / aerobic recommendations and strength / resistance training recommendations. 

Aerobic Exercise Recommendations

The is the type of exercise which improves the health and efficiency of our heart and our lungs. It is good for maintaining and losing weight if necessary. It's good for our mood and our mental health.

Aerobic exercise includes walking, running, cycling, swimming, rowing, golf, tennis, football and other sports.

The minimum recommendations are 150 minutes of moderate intensity exercise per week. Or 75 minutes of vigorous intensity exercise. In most cases, the more the better. We would advocate for our members to aerobically active 5-7 days per week.

 

Resistance Training

This is the type of exercise which helps us increase (and not lose!) muscle mass, muscle strength and bone mineral density. It massively helps our mobility, our pain and our functional ability. It is our secret weapon against aging.

Resistance training is simplest when lifting weights, using your bodyweight to complete exercises or pushing against machines. But it is anything which involves picking up, lifting, pushing, pulling and carrying external load. 

This is the type of exercise which the vast majority of older adults are not engaging in. The knowledge / research behind it is relatively new and culturally and historically it is not something which people associate with older age - we are trying to change that.

Older adults in supervised small group fitness class led by physiotherapist Strength and balance class for over-55s at The Masters Program

What is the latest evidence around the benefits of resistance training for older adults?

How long do you have? We truly believe that resistance training is the Secret Weapon Against Aging. If there was a pill or an injection for all that it can do - we would all take it!

Helps us live longer. Helps us to bounce back after injury and illness.

The is the type of exercise which improves the health and efficiency of our heart and our lungs. It is good for maintaining and losing weight if necessary. It's good for our mood and our mental health. 

Older adults in supervised small group fitness class led by physiotherapist Strength and balance class for over-55s at The Masters Program
Older adults in supervised small group fitness class led by physiotherapist Strength and balance class for over-55s at The Masters Program

Maintain function, independence and delay the loss of ability we associate with old age.

Older adults in supervised small group fitness class led by physiotherapist Strength and balance class for over-55s at The Masters Program
Older adults in supervised small group fitness class led by physiotherapist Strength and balance class for over-55s at The Masters Program

Is detraining and deconditioning a product of aging? Or is age just one factor?

The is the type of exercise which improves the health and efficiency of our heart and our lungs. It is good for maintaining and losing weight if necessary. It's good for our mood and our mental health.

Aerobic exercise includes walking, running, cycling, swimming, rowing, golf, tennis, football and other sports.

The minimum recommendations are 150 minutes of moderate intensity exercise per week. Or 75 minutes of vigorous intensity exercise. In most cases, the more the better. We would advocate for our members to aerobically active 5-7 days per week. 

Older adults in supervised small group fitness class led by physiotherapist Strength and balance class for over-55s at The Masters Program

Our Service

  • Initial 1:1 assessment by an experienced chartered physiotherapist.

  • Small group classes led by a physiotherapist and qualified strength and conditioning coach.

  • Progress tracked and programs adapted over time.

  • Safety first: pre-screening, red flags, scope of practice respected

  • No bootcamps - we are not the marines. Members leave feeling like they haven't even worked that hard. A few months later and they can't believe the difference.

The Referral Process

Simple and Secure

  • Step 1: Refer via secure form, phone or email
  • Step 2: We contact the patient within 48 hours for assessment
  • Step 3: With consent, we keep you informed of progress
  • Step 4: Ongoing review or reports provided on request

 

How to Refer

Referrals can be made via:

Referral checklist:

  • Patient name and age
  • Reason for referral or brief clinical history
  • Any contraindications or precautions

We contact all patients within 48 hours to schedule their initial assessment.

Need to discuss a case first? We’re happy to take a call or reply by email.

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Experience You Can Trust

A combination of Chartered Physiotherapists and expert strength and conditioning coaches. 
Every session is designed and supervised by experts who understand both the clinical and practical needs of ageing bodies.

Mike Murphy

Mike leads with a modern, evidence-based approach, helping clients stay strong, active and pain-free through expert rehabilitation and long-term strength programming.

Risteard Byrne

Risteard is a Clinical Specialist Physiotherapist combining elite sports expertise with personalised, evidence-based care to help clients recover, rebuild strength, and move with confidence.

Rory O'Donovan

Rory (aka Rocky) is a passionate advocate for strength, health, and community. His mission is simple: to help people experience the real-life benefits of living a healthier & stronger lifestyle, both physically & mentally.

Get in Touch or Make a Referral