How long have you been part of the team at Broadgate?
Chris and I set it up in 2001, initially he continued to work at Roundhay to keep some money coming into the clinic while I built up my book so initially, I was the only guy working here without even a receptionist!
What made you train to be a chiropractor?
I stumbled into it after my father had a stroke and passed away. I used to work for Natwest but then a family friend whose son was thinking about chiropractic basically told me to apply so I handed my notice in and applied simultaneously not even being able to give a full months’ notice it happened that quickly. I arrived on day one still not actually sure what a chiropractor did. Took the leap on complete faith and only found out we manipulated people once we started.
From such a weird by chance start, it’s been the best thing I ever did and have loved every day since.
What do you love most about your job?
I love that feeling of being able to heal people: that they come to us in pain and dysfunction, and they might have had the problem for years and seen everyone else and because we are the best at what we do we can sometimes fix things others had given up on. I love that I care for every one of my patients and they are like family friends to me, not patients. I also love the fact that it’s so complex that you’re never finished learning, both in terms of knowledge and also experience as you learn from getting patients better how to get the next person better even quicker. Some of my patients have been coming ever since we opened and can remember when it was just me and my small cash tin that I took payments with!
What’s the biggest misconception about chiropractic?
There are a few:
a) that it is somehow fringe medicine and we’re not really medically qualified. The fact that GPs say you should see a physio when we are more qualified in terms of what we learn and how long we learn. Our degree covers a full medical degree course content with just a few minor variations. For example, we cover all the chiropractic things but less the pharmacology things and our obs and gynae course is of course theoretical for example. People don’t realise we are qualified radiologists to a certain level. We are the only branch of medicine in the world who are trained to take an x-ray, read that x-ray and then do something to the patient to fix them. No-one does all three jobs apart from vets and dentists.
b) that once you come you have to come forever because that’s how we get you. In fact everyone should come regularly because maintenance care to deal with all the bad things we do during our life is important. No one ever questions a dental check up but for some reason looing after your nervous system and spine is somehow seen as a con job! (v frustrating).
c) equally that you can come for the first time and you’ll be better in as short time because the pain only just came on. People don’t understand the nature of the problem wearing out over time and then starting to hurt. People seem to think that pain is the start of a problem.
If you hadn’t been a chiropractor what would you do?
I’m not sure but it would be helping other people. I always get satisfaction from helping people improve their lives and also educating them to look after themselves physically mentally and emotionally as all these components can affect the spine and nervous system (emotions can cause physical changes and therefore need to be addressed).
Do you have a claim to fame/party trick?
That’s a tough one! Not sure I have a particular party tick apart from that I always seem to impress Debbie with my vast knowledge of history and trivia when watching quizzes. Apart from that I can say I’ve trained with both the SAS and the US NAVY SEALS.
What’s your favourite thing about living/working in Leeds?
I love the fact that Leeds is a vibrant city but not too large, that you can get to all the different interesting parts easily and also that you can be in countryside in a few minutes.