“Before I found Brian, I had a 2 year journey that started with an acute back crisis where I was bed bound for 2 weeks, unable to walk more than 20 metres for another couple of months and finally settling into a sedentary state of constant low back pain.
Being an active person who on average would routinely do all day bush regeneration sessions, this was unbearably depressing. I tried everything that came across my path – physiotherapy, osteopathy, pilates (various studios), neurosurgeon, dedicated back pain exercise program, Bowen therapy, massage. Nothing really improved me and in some cases seemed to take me backwards.
I resorted to trying to find a solution through YouTube(!) which only left me more confused and disheartened. Then I came across an interview with Stuart McGill which resonated profoundly. I immediately bought his book Back Mechanic but quickly realised I needed help to navigate this process. This is when I found Brian, one of the few McGill credentialed trainers in Australia and someone who had personally managed his own back pain story.
Day one was a revelation! The initial assessment of my underlying issue was for me such a profound moment. For the first time I was given reassurance that my back was fixable.
A few simple techniques which provided initial back support gave almost immediate relief and left me wondering how I had never come across these before! Being taught the concept of aggravators (again something completely new to me), the individualised exercise/movement program and the weekly supervised exercise sessions in several weeks had me in the best place I had been since my initial injury.
The journey wasn’t smooth but ironically the odd setback I had was the result of feeling so great that I’d over-do things – a wonderful lesson might I say as Brian was easily able to coach me back on track.
The program is definitely a partnership. I have had to consistently and methodically put the work in to achieve the results I have. I would also call the process an education as I can now recognise when I’ve over-cooked things and how to get back on track.
I can now spend all day out on the property pulling weeds without a drama and feel like I’ve been given my life back. I feel like more of an expert in the health of my back than any of the professionals I went to in the early days.
I am beyond grateful!”