“Honestly, it took me years to make the decision to seek help. I had been suffering from mild back pain and discomfort for several years. I didn’t feel compelled to wait for a specific length of time or face any obstacles. It was more that I tend to put things off unless they seem very serious. I didn’t feel the issue was serious enough to take immediate action. Additionally, I was inconvenienced by the idea of visiting a physiotherapist, especially since I didn’t know anyone in the area I trusted or felt comfortable with. Eventually, the discomfort on the left side of my back became more frequent, prompting me to take action.
For the last 5 to 7 years, I experienced mild pain and muscular discomfort on the left side of my back, from the mid to upper back. I believe it was caused by poor posture, as I’ve had a desk job for that period and spent most of my day hunched over a keyboard. This lack of movement and bad posture likely caused the pain. Other potential factors include a past neck injury from playing rugby, but I attribute most of it to bad posture.
The issue didn’t stop me from participating in sports or gym activities. However, over the past two to three years, the pain became more regular and began affecting my work. I often had to leave my desk during crucial times to walk around and relieve the pain, which was disruptive.
I believed physiotherapy would improve my body’s fluidity and relieve the pain and discomfort in my back. This understanding led me to start sessions with Gavin about nine months ago, and I’ve been coming every few weeks since.
If you’re experiencing any regular pain or discomfort, even if it’s mild, you should get it addressed immediately. I delayed treatment for years, and if I had sought help earlier, my situation would have been better. Living abroad was part of the reason for my delay, as I didn’t feel comfortable finding a new physiotherapist. But if you’re in pain, get it sorted out as soon as possible. Regarding Gavin, I’ve known him for a long time, and he’s highly experienced, professional, and personable. Each session is unique, which I appreciate given the consistency of my injury.
One of the best aspects is that Gavin doesn’t just provide a temporary fix like a massage. He uses various methods and approaches to address the root cause of the pain. Initially, I thought physiotherapy was just about relieving pain through massages, but Gavin taught me that stimulating other parts of the body can also relieve back pain. Additionally, he showed me how my back issues were affecting other areas, like my legs. My strength and resistance have improved significantly through his treatment and my exercise routines.
My main goal was to understand how to relieve my pain and discomfort through different methods beyond simple massages. After nine months of regular sessions, my back is in much better shape, with barely any pain compared to the last five to six years. So, yes, my goal has definitely been achieved.”
Ally, LISBURN, Back Pain and Discomfort for several years