Bates Therapy has developed over many years due to my own search for non-specific pain relief, caused from the many accidents I have experienced

My first accident in 1970 was severe whiplash which occurred whilst driving a motor vehicle in New Zealand. It was not compulsory to wear seatbelts at that time, nor did I ever use one. I recall screaming that my left leg was broken, as the knee had slammed into the dashboard of the car. My upper body had folded forward, projecting my face through the windscreen, and I was then thrown back into my seat. Unbeknown to me, my face was badly injured, which required over 100 stitches, teeth broken, my left eye pupil was slashed and I received slivers of glass in my right eye. The immediate focus was to operate on my face and eyes and to save my sight. Thank God, after two operations, I healed with full sight in my right eye and 30 percent in the left eye with a non-dilating pupil. Medical personal and I were pleased with my recovery, although no attention was given to the whiplash which gave me constant neck pain and headaches, or the ache in my hip where the femur had been pushed hard into the joint cavity. I ignored my pain and got on with living, thankful to be alive.

My next major accident occurred in January 1973, from a water skiing fall wearing a horse collar life jacket. The impact of the fall onto my stomach arched my back and caused my feet to touch the back of my head. This time the whiplash was so severe I was called Queen Victoria because there was no movement in my neck and back. I did the rounds of x-rays, specialists, chiropractors, and osteopaths. I had three children and the best advice the specialist could give me was, don’t pick up your 8-month-old baby, don’t hang the washing on the line, and don’t look over your shoulder while backing the car!!!!

I tried massage and other therapies. I persisted with stretches and mobility exercises. My spine was so compacted nothing would alleviate the constant daily headache or reduce the stiffness in my neck and back. Pain was a part of living. Panadol had little effect and every task was a huge undertaking.

Many months had elapsed, when I was referred to a semi- retired physiotherapist Mr. Vic Pagan, who had a reputation of having steel fingers. I was told that if I was brave enough to go back to him after the first visit, he would be able to mobilize my body to function again.

The first visit was torture, mashing the muscles and manipulating the spine. He asked if I would return the next day for another treatment. The daily pain that gave me no quality of life was more unbearable than the treatment, so with reluctance I did return, and my neck and back began to loosen, resulting in energy and attitude improvement. I had treatments two to three times a week. After six months of treatments I still needed constant maintenance at least once a week.

My studies as a massage therapist commenced in 1984, with Mr. Roy Meehan, for a period of two years to study his technique. It was at this time that I developed my devotion to further my studies in this field. I loved to give and receive massage and to feel the muscles relax and the pain ease.

My family and I moved to Australia in 1987 and I studied various massage modalities. I qualified in acupuncture, and went to China as part of the course to further my studies. Yet something was still missing.

I began researching tendons and ligaments, and discovered that they were the missing link.

My own suffering of two frozen shoulders, adhesions caused by one fractured rib, a wrenched arm, ankles sprained, torn left and right knee medial ligaments, surgery adhesions, plus original spinal and hip damage, I began working on my own body and other long suffering chronic pain patients who had tried everything and had been everywhere.

My persistence for pain relief led to the creation of the Bates Therapy, incorporating a technique which focuses on non-specific pain involving muscles, tendons and ligaments.

These days I continue to be active and challenge myself enjoying such things as, tramping, dancing, swimming, sky diving, bungy jumping, won the women’s Queensland marathon skiing in 1988, exercise and stretch. I seldom suffer a headache or need chiropractic work now.

However, the priority in my life is having regular muscle maintenance which enables me to enjoy living!