Matt is a highly experienced Chartered Physiotherapist with over 20 years experience. He has worked as a Head Physiotherapist in Football and Super League Rugby, (Stockport County, Oldham Althetic, Warrington Wolves, Hull KR and Salford Reds). Case manager at JLR in occupational health. Private practice and community Physiotherapy with Pathways CiC, and Designed2Move and obviously offers all of his skills collaborated here at Your Health Roots.

What made you want to be a Physiotherapist?
My love of football and sport! After playing at semi pro football and enjoying competitive cricket, injuries cut my career short but I knew I wanted to stay in the game and have an active job. Confirmed after a year as a trainee barrister’s clerk-interesting but not active! This combined with the motivation to help others excellence in their career was the starting point for my physiotherapy career.

Career so far?
Wide-ranging! Originally completely in elite sport (Rugby League and football) with Stockport County FC, Warrington Wolves RLFC, Hull KR RLFC, Salford City Reds RLFC, Oldham Athletic FC – the last 3 as Head Physiotherapist. I then went into private practice and Occupational Health (Jaguar Land Rover) before moving into social care / CIC with Pathways and also opening Your Health Roots with Ruth and here at Kingfisher Health Club where we are able to provide health care as we believe it should be in an ideal location for a couple with a young family.

Favourite patient?
The person in front of me! I have worked with a wide variety of people, all ages and from all walks of life and each and every appointment creates a unique experience which keeps it exciting, interesting, and challenging and opens up the space to share my experience at the same time as teaches me something new!

Treatment ethos/style?
My ethos is all about empowerment and using a positive, coaching framework to help guide you back to your optimum function. After recently completing a post-graduate diploma in Pain Management this has added to my ability to support in regards to pain and carving out my treatment style.

My style is collaborative. Two people; patient-expert in their personal experience and life, facilator-expert in experience and knowledge and the space with sharing, listening, questions and answers to find the best therapeutic outcome. It is my job to present possibilities based on best evidence and suitability, and then for us to discuss and settle on the best course of action for that person. Your Health Roots then provide an individual rehab programme, delivered via an app to the clients’ phone/tablet so you have a reminder and are kept accountable to your goals. We are responsible TO you the client not FOR you.

Interests outside the clinic?
Primarily enjoying time with my partner, Ruth and our 2 boys preferably in nature. With them being 5 years and 16 months old they certainly keeps us active and it is a beautiful experience (mostly!) Sport, particularly football (still playing, well, appearing on a veterans pitch!) Watching Manchester City whenever possible (that has definitely changed for the better from when I started going nearly 40 years ago!) I also love cooking, reading, travel and am forever ‘brushing up’ on my Spanish.

Aims for the future?
Helping as many people as possible, growing as a business, a person and a Dad as much as I can to be the best possible example I can to my little boys. Future aims would be to have a place in the country with great walks and scenery where we can run residential rehab sessions and groups with a variety of disciplines and people involved.