Meet the others
Brendan Browner - Physiotherapist
Physiotherapist, McKenzie Therapist
With over 25 years of experience, we are proud to have Brendan Browner as a key part of the Elevate team. Brendan’s approach to treatment is about understanding, learning and managing one’s injury. Specializing in treating repetitive and chronic back/neck pain, Brendan prides himself on successfully treating the people that many others have tried to treat, but failed. Brendan is the whole package, accomplished practitioner, successful business owner, dad to a small tribe of five children, loving hubby and all round top guy.
Interview with Brendan Browner
Where do you come from/ where did you grow up?
Born in Southampton UK. Raised in the miserable Midlands of England
What were your interests growing up?
Rugby Union, Soccer and Punk music. I played representative Rugby through to under 20s and some first-grade after that – but it’s not easy being the only punk in the first grade team…..
What got you into the health industry?
I first studied Engineering at University but found it a fairly soul-less profession – Thought about studying Medicine but would have needed to re-take all kinds of exams just to get into the undergraduate course. When someone mentioned Physiotherapy it seemed like the ideal solution. I am now extremely glad I didn’t study Medicine.
How would you define optimal health and lifestyle/what is your philosophy?
I think it all comes from your mental attitude. If I believe I can change for the better then I can change for the better – If I don’t then I won’t. Fifteen years ago I went looking for a way to change my own mental processes. I found a way to do it and I haven’t looked back since. The key however was to go looking in the first place.
In my clinical practice I try to surprise people with what they can achieve. Ideally I will set them on a road to improving their physical health for the rest of their lives.
What do you try to achieve with your clients/patients?
A Successful treatment session for me is one in which I have engaged the client in being a part of their own cure. I don’t personally believe that I can ‘fix’ anyone – What I can do is show someone how to be a part of their own ‘fix’.
A successful series of treatments is one in which the client has learned how to manage the causes of their physical problems so well that they never need to see me again.
What do you specialise in/ Focus on?
As a Physiotherapist with 25 years experience I have covered everything from elite sports to stroke recovery – however my particular interest is in working with people with complex, chronic or repetitive back or neck problems. Clinically these cases are the most challenging – most of my clients have been to many other practitioners before they get to see me and are often jaded with the process – but these are also the most rewarding clients.
Qualifications/Education:
Physiotherapist (West Middlesex University Hospital London), Certified MDT (McKenzie Therapist. Australia)
Industry Association Member:
McKenzie Institute Australia
What makes you different from other practitioners in your field?
My focus on the difficult back and neck problems.
The thought process and philosophy that comes from my training as a McKenzie therapist (there aren’t many Physiotherapists in Sydney with the level of McKenzie training that I have), and
25 years of working with people of all kinds with injuries of all kinds.
What are your interests now/ are you married/ do you have children?
Married – Yes. For the second time. And 5 fantastic Children. So my interests now revolve almost exclusively around my family. I am active in the Easts FC junior soccer club where my two eldest daughters play soccer. I coach my girls teams and I absolutely love it. For some years I have been looking for a way to put something back into the broader community, and for me coaching soccer is the way to do that.
And Golf. Golf is my one luxury and escape from the hectic life of family and work. I have played every Wednesday morning for the last 20 years – it may not have made me a single figure golfer (yet) but it has kept me sane and allowed me to meet some terrific people.
What are your proudest achievements/career highlights?
Any parent knows that the birth of every child is an awe inspiring event. I have been lucky to have five of those moments. Really everything else pales into relative insignificance but I guess I was pretty chuffed when I captained the first XV at School, when I opened my first clinic in 1990 and it got so busy so fast that I realised I was doing something different to a lot of other therapists in the surrounding area – Oh and meeting Sally (my wife) and convincing her I wasn’t a dirty old man.
