Jenny, an NHS professional had suffered with neck and shoulder problems for a lot of years
Coming to my physiotherapy clinic, she learned to ‘undo’ her unique subconscious adaptations and found independence from a pain clinic. Before working together, Jenny had been treated with manual therapy and exercise plus corticosteroid injections from a pain clinic.
Spinal surgery had been suggested but it was not an option that Jenny wanted to take.
Since we have worked together, Jenny has found independence from a pain clinic: she can be pain free and she has got back to what she loves to do. She can be with her family, play her saxaphone, enjoy aerial yoga and most importantly she is not reliant on pain medication or injections.
I asked Jenny “what was your problem before that is not a problem now?”
“I have had chronic neck and shoulder pain for years. Moving differently and adapting to pain were becoming a ‘normal’ part of my life I.e. it was normal to have painful, limited movement.
Nick helped me to understand that there are ways to adjust, to basically re programme my physical responses through exercise to be able to function in a more ‘normal’ way, with far less pain.
Simple things like being able to grip and hold a cup in either hand to drink became possible again. I was always aware I was carrying my left shoulder higher due to pain but learned how to release and lessen the pain.”
Was there anything specifically different about your assessment and treatment compared to similar services you may have used elsewhere?
“Nick watches what is happening, he listens to the patient and uses his physiotherapist training to guides the patient to learn and re programme.
It’s not an instant fix. It is a guided process that facilitates self exploration through movement and exercise, but the outcome is excellent.
There is nothing traditional about Nick’s approach, don’t expect standard exercises, but the process leads to greater change as the body has more opportunity to re programme itself.”
Was there a particular aspect of our sessions that resonated with you and if so, what was it?
“Understanding how my body works as a whole, how neck pain was one issue and how it had a knock on effect of hip pain when running. Also gaining an understanding of how I have adapted, that I ’shorten’ the use of a limb and restrict its movement when I am in pain. I have been able to explore and have found movements that allow more freedom and therefore ease the problem. Nick offers bespoke solutions for the individual.”
As a physiotherapist, I can help and guide you back to what you love to do.
My clinic is in Darlington, click on the contact form below to discuss how I can help you.