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Healthy ageing & physical function
Strength, balance, fitness, mobility and everyday capability.
Healthcare Referrals and Signposting for Movement Coaching
Long-Term Conditions
CIMSPA professional standard
Exercise Medicine
Postgraduate training
Remote Coaching
UK & international
Exercise medicine-informed movement coaching for adults who need personalised support with strength, physical function and sustained physical activity.
Looking for coaching for yourself? Explore movement coaching →
For healthcare professionals: Continue below for suitability, professional scope and signposting information.
Who may benefit from movement coaching?
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Long-term conditions & deconditioning
Adapted movement around symptoms, fatigue, pain and current capacity.
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Metabolic health & obesity medicine
Strength, fitness and physical function alongside clinician-led treatment.
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Physical activity adherence
Support for people who struggle to maintain conventional exercise.
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Strength, fitness & physical capacity
Progressive coaching for strength, stamina, power and movement skill.
Suitability depends on the individual’s current health, capabilities, goals and any relevant clinical guidance.
Where active play fits
Active play is central to the Primal Play Method®.
The Method combines progressive exercise with movement skills, exploration and adaptable physical challenges. It draws on principles from exercise physiology, cognitive neuroscience, evolutionary biology and play psychology.
The physiological goal remains clear. Movement should provide an appropriate stimulus for the intended outcome.
Play changes how that movement can be experienced through choice, challenge, skill, exploration, feedback and enjoyment.
This can be particularly useful when conventional exercise has been difficult to sustain.
Learn about the Primal Play Method® →
Explore the four scientific domains →
Professional background
Darryl Edwards is a CIMSPA Chartered Senior Practitioner, author, international speaker and founder of the Primal Play Method®.
His CIMSPA credential independently verifies competence against the Personal Trainer occupational professional standard and the Working with People with Long Term Conditions professional standard.
Professional credentials include:
FCIMSPA (Chartered)
DFSEM(UK)
FBSLM
ACSM Cancer Exercise Trainer®
Darryl works across exercise medicine, physical activity adherence, active play, healthy ageing, physical function and exercise oncology.
How Professional Signposting Works
1. Identify someone who may benefit
A healthcare professional may identify an adult who would benefit from additional support with physical activity, strength, fitness, physical function or exercise participation.
2. Signpost them to this page or the Movement Coaching page
The individual can review the service and contact Darryl directly.
This keeps the initial process simple and gives the individual control over whether they wish to pursue coaching.
3. Darryl completes an initial coaching and health screening process
The individual’s goals, current activity, physical capability, symptoms, health considerations and relevant clinical restrictions are discussed before an exercise programme begins.
4. Further clinical guidance is requested when required
Where a health issue, restriction, recent procedure or symptom requires clarification, the individual may be asked to obtain appropriate guidance from their treating healthcare professional before coaching progresses.
5. Coaching begins at an appropriate level
Movement selection, exercise dose, progression and active-play elements are adapted to the individual’s current capacity and intended outcomes.
6. Communication can continue where appropriate
Where the individual gives permission and communication with their healthcare professional would be useful, relevant progress information can be shared through an agreed process.
Professional scope
Movement coaching focuses on physical activity, exercise, physical capacity, movement skills and support for sustained participation.
Clinical diagnosis, medication management, treatment and condition-specific rehabilitation remain with the appropriate regulated healthcare professionals and clinical services.
Movement coaching may complement existing healthcare when the individual is clinically appropriate for physical activity.
When further clinical assessment should come first
People with new or unexplained symptoms, unstable medical conditions, significant changes in health, recent surgery without appropriate guidance or needs requiring specialist rehabilitation should obtain appropriate clinical assessment before movement coaching progresses.
The treating healthcare professional remains responsible for clinical decisions and medical restrictions.
Cancer exercise support
People living with or beyond cancer can access Movement Oncology™, Darryl’s specialist exercise-oncology service.
Support can be adapted around diagnosis, treatment stage, fatigue, physical function, symptoms and relevant medical guidance.
Remote movement coaching
Most coaching is delivered online.
This makes the service accessible across the UK and internationally and allows movement to be designed around the person’s home environment, available equipment, and everyday circumstances.
Limited in-person coaching is also available in Chiswick, West London.
Information for healthcare professionals
You can signpost a patient or client directly to:
primalplay.com/healthcare-referrals
or:
primalplay.com/movement-coaching
For a general professional enquiry, contact:
Please do not include identifiable patient health information in an initial general email or website enquiry.
If clinical information needs to be shared, we can agree an appropriate process with the individual’s permission.
Questions from healthcare professionals
Is this an NHS exercise referral scheme?
This is an independent movement-coaching service. Healthcare professionals can signpost appropriate individuals or contact Darryl to discuss whether the service may fit their needs.
Does Darryl diagnose or treat medical conditions?
The person’s healthcare team handles clinical diagnosis and treatment. Movement coaching focuses on exercise, physical activity, physical function and participation.
Can coaching work alongside physiotherapy?
Yes, where appropriate. Movement coaching can follow or complement physiotherapy while respecting relevant clinical recommendations and restrictions.
Can I signpost someone with a long-term condition?
Suitability depends on the condition, current symptoms, physical capacity, clinical stability and any relevant restrictions or guidance.
Does Darryl work with people receiving obesity treatment or taking GLP-1 medicines?
Yes, where movement coaching is appropriate. The focus may include resistance training, physical activity, cardiovascular fitness and physical function. Prescribing and medical management remain with the treating clinician.
Is the service available outside London?
Yes. Most coaching is remote and available internationally. Limited in-person coaching is available in West London.
Discuss movement coaching
Healthcare professionals
For general professional enquiries:
Please avoid sending confidential or identifiable patient health information in your initial message.
Individuals
Interested in movement coaching?
