I was brought up on the philosophy of natural medicine. My father, John English, was a GP and had a passion for complementary medicine. He practised and taught homeopathy and acupuncture and was very keen on making natural therapies available to everyone within his general practice. He was ahead of his time in wanting to prescribe minimal use of drugs, especially antibiotics, anti-inflammatory and anti-depressants.

Whilst I was growing up, healthy living with complementary medicine and minimal drug treatment was a way of life.

My first introduction to Chiropractic was after an outward-bound holiday when I sustained a hip injury, and manipulation with deep massage helped to settle the problem quickly.  I was so impressed with the speed of recovery that it led to me to train as a Chiropractor, with an in-depth medical training, but allowing me to maintain my philosophy in natural medicine. I qualified as a Chiropractor from the Anglo European College of Chiropractic in 1988.

I was introduced to the Alexander Technique from the age of 16,  having lessons to help prevent any back problems occurring in later life as I have a short leg and scoliosis from birth. It has become an integral part of my life, helping me to continually improve my own posture and movement. and has been hugely helpful in teaching me how to work with minimal strain on my own body – my Chiropractic and deep massage work can be quite physical at times!  I was privileged to be able to spend three precious years of my life training to be an Alexander Technique Teacher, qualifying in 1995 at the Alexander Re-education centre, Aylesbury.

My Chiropractic and Alexander Technique training and experience are the basis for helping patients and I still have a huge sense of satisfaction and achievement when I can help someone who’s been in pain, whether it’s a short term injury that’s just appeared, or a client who’s had severe headaches for many years that respond even within a few treatments.

During Chiropractic treatment I like to give clients the best environment to relax, rest and to be in a calm mental state, which allows them to let go of the muscle tightness.  This is different for everyone and whilst treatments may be similar, helping clients to relax is unique. For some it’s a quiet serenity, whilst for others it may be sharing a joke and a smile that’s more appropriate to help them relax. Sometimes joint adjustments are used, possibly with deep muscle tendon release, whilst other times it’s a gentler guiding release or lightly holding the tender spots that works best. I have to say that after 34 years of treatment there is no one right approach for everyone, but I am always pleased when I can find the right approach, either with my own treatment, or by referring them to someone else who can help their problem.

I established the Back Care Clinics in Watford and Hayes in 1990.

I live above my Watford clinic and I love keeping active regularly jogging, cycling and swimming and to play racquet sports like tennis, badminton or table tennis.

Useful Links:

The General Chiropractic Council, (GCC) Registration Nº 00080
A Member of the British Chiropractic Association, (BCA) Registration Nº 0927
A member of the society of teachers of the Alexander Technique (STAT) Registration Nº 1639
A member of the Royal College of Chiropractors Registration Nº 0100