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From as young as 12 years old, I struggled with chronic back and neck pain. For the longest time, I accepted this as a limitation- that it’s just how my body is. This mindset left me with limiting beliefs in my body’s potential to heal and become strong. I avoided many activities throughout the years, afraid that the wrong movement would leave me bedridden and reliant on painkillers just to get through the day.

As a busy, working mum nearing my forties, I was intrigued when I heard about Bryan’s Muscular Skeletal integrated Therapy (MSIT) treatments. From the online reviews I read, I noticed many people claimed lasting relief after just 2-3 treatments. MSIT, which Bryan has developed exclusively, combines the diverse skills he’s honed over the last 30 years including remedial massage, electro stimulated acupuncture, manipulative therapy and nutritional support, as well as advanced health technologies such as ultrasound and red-light therapy.

My first MSIT treatment

When I finally went to see Bryan, I’d been experiencing intense pain in my right shoulder blade for weeks on end. It was in a spot that felt extremely difficult to access but radiated to several other areas making my days long and difficult and forcing me to rely on painkillers. During our initial consultation, Bryan was remarkably insightful, it was as if he read my mind. With minimal prompting, he seemed to understand exactly where my pain was coming from.

Bryan began the treatment part of the session with some remedial massage, loosening up my tight muscles and offering me immediate relief. He then used an ultrasound machine on the affected area which felt lovely and warm. He explained that it would increase blood flow and oxygenation to encourage healing. He asked if I was ok to try some electro stimulated acupuncture. These were tiny needles that are inserted into acupuncture points and stimulated with an electrical current. I couldn’t get over how accurate Bryan was with placing the needles EXACTLY where the pain was coming from. The feeling can be described as “good pain”- that feeling when it’s sore but a relief at the same time. The electrostimulation felt like little pulses and nothing I couldn’t handle. Bryan checked in with me constantly to ensure I was comfortable and after a few minutes, he removed the needles and I was left feeling more mobile, with significantly less pain. It was only a 30-minute session including our intake conversation yet I felt incredible change. Even more importantly, I felt heard and understood about the pain I was experiencing. Pain that you feel daily but that you can’t show externally can be emotionally and mentally draining. I finally felt like I had someone on my team to support me.

A supportive Healing Journey

A week later, I returned for a follow up session when the pain resurfaced, though it was much less intense. Bryan explained that this was part of the inflammation cycle. He performed a similar style of treatment, this time utilising a few more of his technologies including red light therapy. He answered all my questions, offering tips on managing inflammation at home and emphasising the importance of gentle movement. I have learnt that “Motion is Lotion” and remaining mobile helps manage pain better than immobility ever could.

After my sessions with Bryan, I now need only occasional tweaks from the chiropractors and remedial massage therapists at Thrive to maintain my body. I’ve gained the confidence to return to the activities that I love, feeling empowered by movement and a body that is starting to feel strong and capable again.