Adam Bennett - www.autoshine-repairs.co.uk

Several years ago I was referred to Patrick at Massage1st by a chiropractor because I was constantly putting my back out.

After several trips to Patrick my problem was dramatically improved!

Something which the chiropractor could not do.

I have used a few other therapists in the past and have always found myself going back to Patrick at Massage1st for injury therapy or a sports massage and will continue to do so. Great value for money.

Angela Davis

I have been a practicing podiatrist for 20 years.This means 20 years of being hunched over 1000's of pairs of feet. It had really taken its toll on my back especially my shoulders. It had got to the stage where my work was being compromised, I was in constant pain in my upper back and shoulders and had daily headaches.

My G.P gave me a series of physiotherapy influenced exercises which made not an ounce of difference. Then I decided to try massage and went to a local practitioner who used hot stones and lots of different massage machines.

She said I had the stiffest shoulders she had ever dealt with and after 3 months of treatment with very little improvement she advised me to see a chiropractor. Feeling rather depressed about the whole sorry business and sick of popping paracetamol, a friend recommended Patrick.

What an experience! This was a massage with a difference. After taking a full history; he knew exactly where my problem was originating from and hit the spots. Where as before the massages had been relaxing and that was all, this was deep and manipulative.

I felt a significant change after my first treatment and by the third my headaches were gone and the aching much reduced. By 6 treatments, my posture, lower and upper back were all a lot better and now 6 months on, I only attend once a month.

This treatment has literally changed the quality of my life 10 fold and I can continue with my profession where as before I was considering early retirement.

Iain Huxley

In 1994, I had surgery for a disc problem in my lower back. This initially seemed to cure me of the horrendous pain I was in, until some years later, BANG! I was in excruciating pain again.

Oh no I thought, not again all that I went through and now this! Anyway, I was told by a young man working for a well known chiropractors, "there is nothing I can do for you, the structures of your back have been altered and will no longer be or have the same stability it should! You need some deep tissue massage 1st, and come back and see us in the future. I can recommend a man who can help in a different way…"

For some reason either spiritual or not I really believed I was going to get somewhere this time and walked out of the practice and have never needed to return. And here is why, when you visit Patrick or he visits you, "HAVE FAITH." Take the time to talk and explain how your back is and tell him and let him assist you in his own special way.

Let any good advice be absorbed into your body and let his hands and strength work on your "mind and body." Do not fight against it and I can assure you if you obtain regular visits to get on the right path and help yourself, when you come home etc. you will get better and if you not to far down the line as I was, you will NOT need surgery which in of most cases is unnecessary in my experience. "Prevention is better than a cure."

The bottom line and main lesson here is simple, if your "pre surgery," see this man to prevent serious problems in the future. If like me you have been operated on "POST SURGERY" see Patrick and obtain some proper treatment and advice, and maintain your back through exercises and stretches and I can assure you, you can have your near normal life back! And if there is nothing wrong with you, get an M.O.T, his therapeutic massage is great. "Your move."

Nivesh Galaiya

I was suffering from chronic bad back because of the condition known as scoliosis. Simply put, I had horizontal curves in my spine that should not have been there! I came to see Patrick because I was open to new ideas and was willing to give anything a go after conventional medicine did not offer a cure.

On the initial assessment, Pat said that there was no reason why the curves could not be corrected out. The only requirement on my part was a bit of patience because the body can only adjust to change so fast. Through regular deep tissue massage over the course of a few months, the muscles holding my spine in a certain way relaxed and allowed my spine to adopt a more natural 'upright' position.

Gradually, but permanently, my posture improved and by standing tall my confidence soared.

Nick Hayes

Patrick has been treating me for the last eighteen months, for a Sport related back and neck injury.

I had been suffering with this injury for five years before I was recommended to seek his help and advice.

The combination of his deep tissue massage that gets to the core of the problem, rather than just warming the surface and his advice on exercise, stretching and recovery techniques have meant that I now sleep undisturbed and have regained the range of movement I thought was lost due to the injury.

I would recommend his services to anyone, whether it is for Sports rehabilitation or just stress relief.

Monique Clausen

I was recommended to go see Patrick for the pains I get in my back and shoulders from slouched at a desk all day sitting. Ever since starting my sessions I have felt a massive improvement.

He doesn't just treat one problem area he looks at your body as a whole and realigns everything to avoid it happening again.

He also educates you so that you become more aware of yourself and thus are able to make sure that you help maintain his good work. I would recommend him to anyone as I think he is brilliant at what he does.

Lucian Adamoli

Working on a computer can seriously damage your health.

As a designer, stuck in front of a Computer all day, I had heard this warning before. And along with the warnings on cigarette packets, and my Mother's nagging, ignored it. Until, I started getting constant pain under my shoulder blades, a sore neck and ever-increasing headaches. But it was the onset of full-blown migraines that got me peeled from the monitor, and got me looking for help.

My GP referred me to osteopaths, physiotherapists, and a variety of unpronounceable 'ologists'. Nothing worked. Indeed, the headaches got worse. In desperation I even embarrassed myself at the local Yoga classes.

Help eventually came in the form of Patrick Patel. He was recommended to me by one of my best friends, who highly praised his approach to massage and healing. I was at my wit's end. I booked a session with Patrick.

From the word go I realised Patrick was going to be different. He was the first practitioner to identify that years of misuse had resulted in my body being out of alignment. He immediately identified the domino effect on my body, and proceeded to undo decades of damage.

With every session I felt the benefit. I felt more relaxed, and the manipulations got deeper. Within 3 sessions my headaches started clearing. Within 5, I was regaining correct shoulder movement. My posture was improving and with it, amazingly, I had gained nearly an inch in height. Throughout Patrick taught me body awareness. He gave me a mind-body tool for life.

The headaches are gone, and the backache too. Hopefully one day I'll manage to get rid of that computer too.

Peter Savizon

....I play a lot of competitive squash and have had massages before, but not at this level...

Ilsa Towler

Pat has helped me greatly in overcoming the after effects of injury, working to break down tension and knotting in my muscles, and giving me relief from pain, and significantly greater freedom of movement .

His technique is dynamic and reflexive, based on an understanding of the relationship between bone, muscle and mental processes. Although I have had both physiotherapy and chiropractic, I have found that his massage treatment has resolved problems which they could not.

Ghassan Hashim

I was training for a charity cycle ride from Vietnam to Cambodia. I went to see Patrick as part of my training program, he helped to speed up my recovery time from the long cycling sessions, and reduced the risks of injury.

Patrick has helped me to get a better understanding of how to get the best out of my training.

I'm now considering doing the London marathon next year. His approach to massage therapy is excellent and would highly recommended his services to anyone, whether your into sports or just plain stressed out - massage1st.

Chirag Amin

Unlike the other reviewers I have never been in chronic back pain, I visit Patrick when I have simply worked too hard or am just fatigued.

Patrick does an awesome job of working out the stress knots I tend to develop at the top of my back but in a manner that means they don't come back unless I've been really silly.

I have struggled in the past with massages that have done little other then relax me rather then address the issues I have, Patrick was and continues to be a revelation, and leaves my back feeling great for a very long time.

Amir Ahmed

Absolutely brilliant service. I had been in agony for years and had genuinely lost all hope for a normal, healthy, state of being.

Pat really straightened me out (no pun intended) and i can feel absolutely no trace of the pain that once ailed me daily! I've recommended others to him and all have come away with glowing reviews.

Keith Black

Patrick provided a brilliant massage, but further than that he explained at every stage what he was doing, and why he was doing it.

This made for a unique and insightful experience and made sure I knew what to avoid doing in the future to help keep myself pain free.

Excellent.

Nigel Burt

I was lucky to find Pat after first going to a sports massage practitioner and an osteopath for the treatment of back pain.

I found Pat's level of treatment, advice and techniques for future back pain prevention far above either.

Also I regularly play football, and his massages are also very good at preventing injury and recovering from stiff and sore muscles.

Marilena Deluca - www.herculeswimbledonac.org.uk

As keen runner, I decided to run a marathon. Too quickly I started an intense training program. High mileage too soon led to one of the top 5 runner's injury: shin splints. I ran the marathon in pain, and after that I rested for few months.

During this time I was recommended to an orthopaedic who prescribed me orthotics and regular stretching exercise. I also went to two different physiotherapists and the only *benefits* I remember, were the 30 minutes of pain I was going through during the massage and the sore legs, days after.

I ran a marathon in Sep 2008 and again, Feb 2009 and started to slowly resume conditioning training shortly afterwards. Sadly the pain came back , even with low mileage runs, so I had to stop and take a time out, as to not cause any lasting damage to myself.

I started talking to Patrick and, having nothing to loose, I decided to give it a go. He soon identified all my bad habits, from my posture to my running movements. Together with releasing a lot of tensions from my muscles, he helped me to become more aware of the parts of my body that I used during my running, and also during my cycling.

The massages started from soft and gradually moved into a deeper level. Even after the most "intense" sessions, I was still able to train the following day.

My pain has now reduced dramatically and I regularly follow the advices that Patrick gives to me. I have now resumed my normal running mileage.

Seeing Patrick, It is not only a moment to relax but it is also essential if you want to train regularly and be pain-free.

Don't wait for the legs to breakdown before taking them to service!

Mike Baker

I was recommended to Patrick by my daughter Shelley.

As a fitness instructor she thought a trip to Patrick would be helpful to my fitness campaign enabling me to become more agile.

If you have ever been to Patrick just for a general massage then you will know this is Shelley getting her own back from being told off as a child.

It only took one visit to Patrick to find out that getting agile was not going to be a quick fix. At this point I would like to give Patrick the recognition that he deserves, he has the ability to take a person that has neglected his body over many years in sport and to be able to carry on doing the things in sport that most sixty year olds can only dream of.

After having two major operations where muscle damage could not be prevented, Patrick was at hand to work on the post operation period that is so important after any surgery.

I truly thank him for his professionalism and dedication that he commands in this industry and for the addiction you have given me to have more massages.

Viv Baker

I would like to thank Patrick for his perseverance and giving me a new kick start in life.

I am sixty two years of age and work in a care home and the biggest fault I made was not listening to my body crying for help due to the daily abuse it gets at work.

After the first consultation with Patrick I knew this was not going to be a one day only visit - Sometimes you have to listen to people who are professionals.

After a few visits to Patrick I can say without any doubt that the treatments are giving me a better understanding of how the body reacts to the work that I do.

He also gives you exercises tailored to your requirements to do on a daily basis to help keep the body supple and speed the progress of recovery.

Going to Patrick is an education on the workings of the body and he takes time to explain to you the correct way to look after yourself.

I can recommend a visit to Patrick to anybody even if it is just for a consultation, as he will give you a true opinion and the rest is left to you to make your mind up without any pressure on having to attend his clinic.

It is true when they say (no pain no gain) but the results speak for themselves.

Miguel Rico & Mayana - www.miguelmayana.com

Hi we are Miguel Rico and Mayana and we are professional Salsa dancers, notably, the 2006-2007 UK Salsa Champions.

We regularly teach and perform in the UK and abroad and for a long time we had looking for a masseur to help us with the tired bodies and injuries that we inadvertedly picked up from our long training hours and performances.

We found Patrick through the internet almost a year ago and attended one of his sessions. His work was outstandingly professional and knowledgeable and since then we have never looked back.

We highly recommend him for a full sports body massage and we hope you get the same satisfaction as we have.

Darren Sherwood

Almost eleven years ago my friends and I were involved in a car crash where a van driver hit us from behind. I went to my GP and was told I have whiplash as a result of the impact. I was referred to a physiotherapist, instructed to do a number of stretches and exercises that didn't seem to make much difference; I soon lost interest and just ignored the pain learning to function around it.

I am a Diamond Mounter, a fantastic and creative job to have, apart for the sitting down all day hunched over a bench peg for seven hours. After sitting down at a bench for that amount of time all the old aches and pains started to get worse, until they really started to affect my quality of life.

I went to see Patrick and the first thing he said to me was that there was a slight bend in my posture due to my body compensating to the whiplash that had now spread from my neck to the rest of my back.

The massage and treatment is brilliant; I have realised how much I have gotten used to living without the flexibility, but rather the rigidity, of my back! The persistent pains down my left side are now dissipating and I have not had a tension headache since seeing him.

His knowledge of the body and body mechanics is definitely shown in his techniques. I highly recommend him to anybody who has muscular pain, anyone thinking of seeing a physiotherapist, an osteopath, or having further treatment on their injury.

Patrick could probably save them a lot of time, money and not to mention the pain.

Peter Bright - http://www.cobrainsurance.co.uk

As a 50 something year old squash player, who has been playing at a decent level, the last 3 years have seen me suffering from lower back pain and groin injuries, which would not clear up.

After consulting various sports injury clinics and physios without much improvement I was recommended to Patrick Patel.

For the first time someone seemed to understand what my problem was and what to do about it. After two or three sessions I felt a vast improvement and with a series of exercises explained by Patrick , which I had to undertake before and after playing, for the first time in years I was able to play pain free and even more importantly walk freely the next day!

I would not hesitate in recommending Patrick and in fact have already done so and everybody has confirmed he has been able to help, where others failed.

Shenaz Kesavan - www.nv-hair.com

I ran the London Marathon in April and Patrick Patel has treated me during the last few weeks of training with a deep tissue massage which helped with my recovery after a long run each week.

I also had a hip injury which he diagnosed correctly, found my weaknesses and understood the importance of getting me back training as quickly as possible. I have made a full recovery after just a month of physiotherapy treatment and would highly recommend Patrick for your physiotherapy.