So this is me.. Jenny 😊

With my two most enthusiatic assistants… Mr Wilson and Norman (the Dachshund) as I about to teach one of my online classes!

I am the very proud owner of the MYPhysio. I also happen to be a physio which I know for some of you is a good thing! But I also understand that some of you reading this may not of had such a great experience of physiotherapy.

I know this because I have been working for the past 23 years in the private sector and the NHS as an Advanced Physiotherapy Practitioner. Seeing far too many patients and clients who feel let down or frustrated.

Because I have been where you are…

In my late 20’s I had some seriously horrible back pain which developed into leg pain (sciatica) & eventually that horrible tingling / numb sensation. I did what you have all done – ignored it thinking I must have just pulled something (although I couldn’t tell you how or when), did my physio exercises (eventually!) & was confident it would go away, took some over the counter pain relief & waited for it to go..

I didn’t worry too much because I had it before on at least two other occasions, I had been to physio, so I did the exercises they had given me & it had gone eventually. Plus, because I was qualified by this point, I knew what was causing my pain which helps you feel sort of safer & a bit more in control – in a weird kind of way

Anyway, to cut a long story short it didn’t go in fact it just got steadily worse, I was still dragging myself to work but I knew something had to give when I was having to stop halfway to work (a whole 11 miles away) get out of my car & try & ease my pain for 10 mins before getting back in to drive the rest of the way.

But I am incredibly stubborn & despite the fact I was really struggling physically with the pain & emotionally, as I was starting to feel a bit scared it was never going to go (I had constant pain for over 4 months by this point) I didn’t think I needed anymore help or advice from my colleagues…

I was so wrong…

Ultimately, it took a much more experienced physio friend & colleague to be shall we say to be firm with me to make me realise that coping strategy wasn’t working & that I needed to listen & follow her advice if I really wanted to help myself

So, I went to my GP – I am going to be very honest & say this was not a great experience. This is NOT a reflection of all GP’s but I want to be very open with you. Her examination was poor, she was very dismissive of me & my symptoms (because I was ‘too young’ to have anything serious) & told me to go to a chiropractor (I know not a physio!!) that it definitely ‘wasn’t a disc problem’

I managed somehow, to insist she referred me to the local NHS physio & that was that! I want to be clear here I am not interested in getting onto the debate about whether you should see physio, Osteopath or Chiropractor other than you should never have your back manipulated with any kind of leg pain or altered sensation.

I honestly believed that I would lose my job well it felt like I was losing my life

My first session with my physio I was so happy to be going as I felt really positive that this would be the start of my recovery & I was determined to do whatever she told me but she left me in tears…

She basically said go away & come back when you are in less pain, I can’t do anything for you. I was distraught & I honestly felt hopeless, angry, devastated & I just burst into tears

By this point I was unable to work, what was worse was a well-meaning much more experienced colleague had told me that she though I may have to rethink my career & that she didn’t think my back was strong enough to cope with the demands of such a physical job

I can still remember how lost & alone I felt during that period even though it is over 20 years ago

I am glad I didn’t give up

Although to be honest I didn’t have much choice at first!

My colleague heard about my disastrous physio appointment & managed to get me booked in with another NHS physio that she knew personally. I won’t pretend I didn’t hold out much hope, but I really wanted to get better – well to be honest I just didn’t want my physio career to be over before it had really begun

BEST decision I ever made

Trusting that there was hope & not to give up based on my results so far (as in I was still in pain despite advice, rest, taking pain killers & doing physio exercises) & experience

He was fantastic. Positive, open, real, supportive, kind, firm & didn’t let me get away with any kind of excuses for not following his advice! He listened, heard me & told me with confidence that I would get better & stuck with me every step of the way, never giving up when an exercise didn’t give me the result I wanted

My pain didn’t go overnight it took the best part of 18 months to be back to a point where I didn’t think about it & I had the confidence in my body & myself to get back to being active

My ‘disc’ diagnosis

I think it’s important to know I did have an MRI scan which told me what I already knew I had degenerative disc disease at 30 which was irritating / pressing on the sciatic nerve & I was offered surgery basically because my surgeon believed conservative physio wasn’t working & as a surgeon this was HIS only option

I was in a fortunate position because I was confident that my new physio would help me help myself & so I said no. My surgeon actually joked that I would be back within the next 5 years to have surgery – I have never been back! He was a fantastic neurosurgeon & I have no doubt if I had not responded so well to physio I would followed his advice. BUT I accepted I need to be patient & do the exercises, follow the advice & I have never regretted that decision

Why?

Because I now have a much better understanding of my body & I know which exercises to do & I am in control. I rarely have any problems with my back now but if I do I can manage each episode with confidence.

Because it’s taught me some value lessons about how it feels to be a patient / client. To feel hopeless, angry, worried, frustrated & in real pain. I have had the severe can’t move or breathe pain that some of you have experienced – thought I would lose my job & had really crap physio…

I am living proof that you CAN have a life FREE of pain – How? By taking back control, not giving up on yourself, ever.

Don’t let your pain dictate how you live – let me show you how to really LIVE & while you take time to trust me borrow my faith in you