What To Expect

I have been a physio since 2000, so have seen a lot of patients in the NHS and clients in private practice. In private practice people have usually been to their GPs and if they were referred for physio, the wait to get to see physio can be a month or more. Or it maybe that they saw the physio for their 20minute session and were given a diagnosis and a sheet of exercises which did not solve their problem. So then they can try chiropractors, osteopaths, sports or massage therapist and still not get the pain relief or to understand their symptoms fully.
This is usually where I come in.

I have been a senior Physio in the Pain Management dept in the NHS so I am used to seeing people with long term complex problems. I have worked in an Multiple Sclerosis Centre for 20 years so I know the long term progression of neurological problems. I have been in private practice for over twenty years so I know what generally works for what and how to explain complex problems to my clients in a way that their consultants may not have.

My sessions are 45mins sometimes more so there is time to listen to a persons’ story and also to start treatments and give appropriate exercises and stretches as necessary.

More importantly I can do the neck and shoulder massage or back massage not just from a physio perspective but from many massage approaches I have trained in to advanced levels.

So when you come for you first session, do not expect for your ten years of back pain to be cleared in the first session – although this has happened on several occasions. Instead expect to get a LOT of information in the first session on your particular issue and many ways to address each aspect.

It is sensible to make provision for 3 sessions initially. The first session will be 1/2 listening to your story so bring lists of medications and a time line of different accidents injuries and illnesses that maybe relevant and results of x-rays, scans and other investigations.

Also bring a notebook or put notes direct into your phone and have your smartphone ready to record the exrcises and stretches that Michael may give you to try out to see if they help.

Michael will review these exercises in your second session to make sure you are doing them correctly and whether you need to ease off a little or progress to a more advanced version.

In the second session the hands on treatments and or the Laser/Infra Red treatments will go more in depth and your body will begin to relax more now it knows what to expect.

In the third session we will clear up any further questions you may have. Make sure the exercises and stretches are effective and working optimally to reduce your symptoms, to improve your stabililty, balance, strength and fitness. The bodywork will get a bit deeper again so dont plan too much for after the session.

After this, some people need ongoing support, some enjoy the bodywork or Laser treatments so much they will come back fortnightly, monthly or every few months just to keep up with improvements or get the deep relaxation and integration that they are looking for.

During a bodywork session, do not be surprised to recognise elements of the Bowen Technique, Zero Balancing, Myofascial Release, Trigger point work, acupressure or other modalities as Michael will use whatever he feels will be of most help.

Although Michael has trained in Hypnotherapy he doesn’t practice this with clients at present but may suggest some such therapeutic approach like EMDR if it may be of use. He has trained in many other approaches from Higher Brain work to Neurolink, breathwork and energy work with many interesting healers and although he doesn’t use these fully in his sessions, his work has been informed by them.