Having worked as a chartered MSK physiotherapist in private practice for over 30 years I came across the Douglas Heel Be Activated method and I was curious. One of my colleagues had returned from a ‘Be Activated L1 course’ and was spellbound by what he had learnt, seen, and felt. Not one to be left out I got stuck into watching and reading everything I could lay my hands on from YouTube videos to my colleagues (in those days, sketchy at best) course notes, anything and everything I could find. Then, of course, testing it all out on my poor friends, family and patients. The results were incredible but not as incredible as attending my first L1 course.
But it wasn’t just the acquisition of new amazing techniques, and amazing they really are, but the whole philosophy, looking at the body and its movement patterns in a completely new, different and objective way.
In this world of evidence-based everything, which incidentally I think is killing our professions, Doug’s method of assessing treating and reassessing cannot be more objective if you tried. Be Activated resolved so many unanswered questions I’ve had throughout my long career, finally, it all made so much sense. It’s easy to believe what we read, articles, lectures, research but DOUGS methodology is objective and real and the way he has created the 123 system, can be easily demonstrated even to the most cynical medic!
As a result, the whole of my private practice are now using the ‘Be Activated’ muscle activation philosophy alongside our manual techniques for everything from back pain to Parkinson’s Patients. Lunchtimes at work, are spent sharing amazing, often tear-jerking stories and incredible results we have been getting with our patients in the clinic. Our poor receptionists have now given us all a talking time limit!
Our recent Parkinson’s 4-day residential pilot study, which Doug joined us for, has made this journey even more exciting and humbling as we help to facilitate changes in these patients. Changes that previously were never thought possible.
Since then, numerous level 1 and level 2 courses later, which needless to say are always different, after all aren’t we all different? And isn’t every day different also? I have never looked back and never been busier! And as Doug always says, “there is so much more!”.
Sue Mills MCSP Chartered Physiotherapist
and Be Activated practitioner