About Dana

Physiotherapist and Myofascial Release Specialist

Chartered Physiotherapist (BSc Hons, MCSP, HCPC)

Myofascial Release Specialist

Fully Certified Pilates Instructor (APPI)

Therapeutic Coach (OCH)

Background

I hold a degree in physiotherapy from Tel Aviv University School of Physiotherapy (1989), and I am a member of both the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP) and the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). Over the years, I have completed a wide range of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) courses, including a diploma in Therapeutic Coaching®.

With more than 35 years of experience across a wide variety of clinical settings — including leading NHS hospitals — I now work in private practice, specialising in Myofascial Release using the John F. Barnes approach.

My work is trauma-informed and grounded in a strong awareness of the relationship between physical symptoms and emotional wellbeing, with a particular interest in how trauma may be held within the body.

I specialise in persistent (chronic) pain, postural management, ergonomics, movement, and hypermobility. My extensive clinical experience, combined with a holistic and compassionate approach, enables me to work effectively with people living with complex and long-term conditions.

Dana with John F. Barnes

Myofascial Release Specialist

In 2009, I completed my first course in Myofascial Release (MFR) with the inspiring John Annan — and I was immediately converted to this powerful approach. Since then, I have continued to deepen my understanding of fascia through numerous courses and workshops, including training in Sharon Wheeler’s BoneWork® and ScarWork® techniques, both of which have further refined my skills and sensitivity of touch.

I find this form of hands-on therapy extremely rewarding because of the lasting benefits it can bring in terms of pain relief, improved movement, and enhanced wellbeing. It is particularly effective for people living with persistent or long-term chronic pain that has not responded to other treatment approaches. MFR can also be highly beneficial for non-specific or shifting pain patterns, which are often indicative of fascial restrictions. 

In 2017-2024, I undertook further specialist training in the United States with John F. Barnes, whose approach to MFR profoundly transformed my clinical practice. This training significantly enhanced the depth and effectiveness of my treatments, adding important new dimensions to the way I work. It has been especially valuable when supporting clients who carry trauma within the body — often subconsciously — which may manifest as chronic pain, tension, or physical dysfunction. In many cases, gently unwinding and releasing fascial restrictions can provide relief where other interventions have not been successful.

The John F. Barnes approach to MFR is based on the understanding that injury, inflammation, surgery, pain, and trauma — whether physical or emotional — can cause the fascia to tighten and develop restrictions. These restrictions may place pressure on nerves, blood vessels, and other pain-sensitive structures. Initially, this response is protective: the body attempts to reduce pain and prevent further injury. However, over time, unresolved fascial restrictions may impair hydration, nutrition, and movement within the tissues, contributing to increased pain, stiffness, and dysfunction.

Because fascial restrictions do not appear on standard scans or imaging, they are often overlooked within conventional medical investigations. However, they can frequently be identified and addressed through skilled Myofascial Release therapy.

Dana with Sharon Wheeler

My Approach

My role as a physiotherapist is to support and empower you to achieve your goals, manage your condition, and do the things you want to do with as little pain as possible.

Together, we can explore what aggravates your symptoms (and may need avoiding), as well as what helps relieve them (and can be incorporated into your everyday life). Without this understanding, symptoms are more likely to return.

I believe the body functions as one integrated whole — mind and body, emotional and physical, energetic and structural — from head to toe. My assessment and treatment approach therefore considers the whole person, rather than focusing solely on isolated symptoms.

Drawing on the principles of biotensegrity, I work carefully to release, rebalance, and realign the soft tissues throughout the body. When tension and pain have been present for a long time, treatment often involves gently ‘peeling back the layers’ (metaphorically speaking) in order to uncover and address the underlying cause.

I see my role as facilitating and supporting your recovery. Treatment should be comfortable, respectful, and appropriate for your body at all times. Exercises should support your individual goals, and you should always feel in control of your treatment process.

My sessions are predominantly hands-on. Using a refined listening touch, supported by intuition and clinical experience, I assess what your body needs and help facilitate the changes it is seeking. It is always rewarding to witness the transformation that can happen between sessions, and when new patterns become integrated into everyday life, improvements can often be maintained long term.

Combining my intuition with learnt, hands-on skills, I develop a total body experience for my clients and use a range of myofascial release techniques and joint mobilisation, alongside education, self-management and exercises.

My sessions are an hour to an hour and a half long, and results can be noticeable immediately, giving both patient and therapist an indication that we are dealing with the right structure.

I always treat the body as a whole. Careful listening to the history, and feeling the body through gentle touch, will guide me to uncover and treat the cause rather than the symptoms.

My aim is to find the cause of pain, free fascial restrictions, which may be responsible for the symptoms, while aligning the body, stimulating proprioception, thus increasing one’s body awareness and calming the nervous system. As recent research shows, increased body awareness is linked with a reduction in the perception of pain.

Every physiotherapy session is followed by a set of self-management techniques. I also instruct on sleeping positions, ergonomics, fascial stretches and Pilates-based exercises, thus encouraging responsibility over one’s own body and empowering individuals to manage their own symptoms and prevent recurrence. An average of 6 sessions is a guideline but very long term symptoms often take longer to clear, whereas more recent pain can often be sorted in one to three sessions. The frequency of the sessions will be determined on an individual basis.

Supporting Clients

Communication and feedback are central to my approach, helping clients feel heard, respected, and supported throughout their healing journey.

Over the years, I have successfully helped many clients reduce — and in many cases completely resolve — persistent, long-standing conditions including back, neck, and leg pain, frozen shoulder, headaches, and jaw pain. By releasing old injuries and internal scar restrictions that have contributed to ongoing symptoms, clients have also experienced improvements in discomfort related to bladder and bowel function.

Where it has not been possible to fully eliminate persistent pain, clients have often experienced significant improvements in pain intensity and frequency, greater ease and freedom of movement, improved sleep and energy levels, increased vitality, and an enhanced sense of overall wellbeing.

Over the last 17 years, I have focused on refining my touch and developing the “listening skills” that allow me to identify fascial restrictions within the body and support the body’s natural unwinding process.

My extensive knowledge and training as a physiotherapist, combined with an ongoing interest in emerging research, mind-body connections, and energy work, enables me to guide and support clients in exploring additional avenues that may enhance healing on many levels.

My experience working in Mental Health, together with a Diploma in Therapeutic Coaching and an ongoing spiritual practice, has deepened my understanding of the mind-body-spirit connection. This enables me to draw from a broad and varied toolkit to hold, support, inspire, and motivate clients throughout their journey.

I believe education is a vital part of empowering people to take an active role in their health and wellbeing. My personal approach, combined with enthusiasm and compassion, has enabled me to achieve excellent outcomes with clients of all ages.

Qualifications:

Physiotherapy

BSc(Hons) Physiotherapy, Tel Aviv, 1989

Myofascial training and more…

 

  • An Introduction to Myofascial Release(Part 1). John Annan, (March 2011)
  • Not by Muscles and Ligaments Alone, The Importance of Fascial Articulation for Understanding the Locomotion System. Dr. Juap Van Der Val, (May 2011)
  • An Introduction to Myofascial Release(Part 2), John Annan, (September 2011)
  • An overview of Fascial FitnessJoanne Averill, (February 2012)
  • Anatomy Trains, Myofascial Meridians for Manual Therapy Mike Doxey, (March 2012)
  • STT Study Day:  Training Principles in Fascial Fitness Jo Averil, (November 2012)
  • Myofascial Release Foundation CourseJing institute of Advanced Massage Training, (September 2012)
  • Advanced Clinical Massage: Treating Sciatica and Disc Herniation with confidence Rachel Fairweather, Jing institute (October 2012)
  • Visceral Manipulation, Peripheral Nerves. (The work of Juan Pierre Barrel), Joanne Crill (November 2012)
  • Fascia release work around the Thorax with Special Emphasis on Dealing with Scoliosis Robert Schleip (April 2013)
  • Advanced Myofascial Release, Module 1., Rachel Fairweather, Jing institute (October 2013)
  • Advanced Myofascial Release, Module 1 & 2., Rachel Fairweather, Jing institute, (November 2013)
  • Visceral manipulation the Abdomen, (The work of Juan Pierre Barrel) Joanne Crill (February 2014)
  • The first British Fascial Symposium (May 2014)
  • Advanced Myofascial Techniques: Arm Wrist and Shoulder Racheal Fairweather, Jing institute, (August 2015)
  • Advance your Intuitive Abilities and Immense Potential, Marlise Karlin, College of Psychic Studies (September 2015)
  • A Fascial Exploration of the Pelvis and Pelvic Viscera, Marty Ryan, Love your Gut (Nov 2015)
  • Biotensegraty, Pre Conference Day, National training Centre (June 2016)
  • Second British Fascia Symposium (June 2016)
  • Unwinding, Advanced Myofascial Masterclass, Racheal Fairweather, Jing Institute (September 2016)
  • Positional release,Advanced Myofascial Masterclass, Racheal Fairweather, Jing institute (October 2016)
  • Fascial Stretching, Advanced Myofascial Masterclass, Racheal Fairweather, Jing Institute (December 2016)
  • Myofascia Release 1, John Barnes,MFR , NYC (August 2017)
  • Myofascial Unwinding, John Barnes,MFR (August 2017)
  • Fascial- Pelvis Myofascial Release seminar, John F Barnes,MFR, White Plains NY. USA. (November 2017)
  • Skills Enhancement, John F Barnes, Sedona, Arizona (November 2017)
  • Therapy for Therapists, John F Barnes Therapy on the Rocks (TFT), Sedona, Arizona (November 2017)
  • Women’s Health, John F Barnes, Chicago, Illinois (April 2018)
  • Rebounding Fascia, John F Barnes, Chicago, Illinois (April 2018)
  • Third British Fascia Symposium(May 2018)
  • Metaphysical Anatomy Level 1, Evette Rose, London (November 2018)
  • Myofascial Release 2,  Barnes, Key west, Florida (January 2019)
  • Fascial-Cranium,John F. Barnes, Key west, Florida (January 2019)
  • Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT Level 1), Annie Penny, London (March 2019)
  • Empathy, the Gift of the Heart, Edwin Courtney, London (March 2019)
  • Bioreprogramming, Part 1-4, Isabelle Benarous, Istanbul, Turkey (June 2019)
  • Headaches and Dizziness, Dr. Ben Turner, London (September 2019)
  • An Integrated Approach to Pain Management, Dr Deepak Raundran (October 2019)
  • Understanding Inflammation, Till Luchau, London (November 2019)
  • Beyond the Brain Conference, the Scientific and Medical Network, London (November 2019)
  • The British Fascia Symposium(May 2020)
  • Fascial Pelvis, online webinar, The Fascial Hub, (November 2020)
  • Anatomy of the Pelvic floor, Dr. Cathy Dooley, Ehealthlearning, online course, (June 2021)
  • Pelvic Organ Prolapse, Anna Crowel, WH physiotherapist, online training (June 2021)
  • Scarwork and the fascia, Robert Shleip, online course (July 2021)
  • Sharon Wheeler’s Scarwork®, Jan Trewartha, UK (November 2021)
  • British Fascia Symposium(May 2022)
  • Sharon Wheeler’s Bonework®, Sharon Wheeler, Poland (July 2022)
  • Myofascia Release 1, John F Barnes, Georgia, USA (August 2022) (repeat)
  • Myofascia Release 2, John F Barnes, Georgia, USA (August 2022) (repeat)
  • Myofascial Unwinding, John F Barnes, Georgia, USA (August 2022) (repeat)

Hypermobility

 

  • Hypermobility and EDS, Isobel Night, Southfields Physiotherapy Clinic (May 2016)
  • Masterclass: Advance Practice in hypermobility, Dr Jane Simmonds. UCL/ Great Ormond St Hospital (June 2017)
  • Pilates and Hypermobility, APPI (September 2017)
  • Management and Well-being Conference, EDS UK and HMSA, Kenilworth, UK (October 2018)
  • Fibromyalgia and Hypermobility, online masterclass, (June 2020)
  • First virtual Hypermobility Masterclass Event, online (March 2021)
  • Hypermobility- online Professional Masterclasses, (September 2021)

Therapeutic Coaching and trauma informed therapy

 

  • Diploma in Hypnotherapy, NLP and life Coaching, Certified Therapeutic Coach Alex Howard and Anna Dutchinsky, Optimal Health Clinic, online Certification (2021-2023)
  • Level 1/2 residential 5 days in person Broughton Hall, UK 2022
  • Level 3 residential 5 days in person Broughton Hall, UK 2024
  • Somatic interventions for Chronic Pain and Other symptoms, Dr Perter Levine and Dianne Pool Heller, Trauma Solutions online training
  • Somatic /interventions to address the Interplay Between Shock and Developmental Trauma. Dr Perter Levine and Dianne Pool Heller, Trauma Solutions online training
  • Reclaiming connections, healing shame, shutdown and avoidance- Daniel Vose / Dianne Pool Heller- Trauma Solutions, online training.
  • The IFS Clinicians Guide- Restoring Self, Healing Trauma snd Deepening Therapy, Frank Anderson and Dr Dianne Pool Heller, Trauma Solutions online training
  • Brain Spotting: A Neuroexperiential Approach to Trauma Healing David Grand, PhD and Dianne Pool Heller, Trauma Solutions online training
  • Deconstructing Anxiety: A Practical Model for Healing and Integration, dr. Todd Patterson and Dianne Pool Heller, Trauma Solutions online training
  • Experiential Interventions for Healing Trauma and Attachment, Dr Terry Levy and Dianne Pool Heller, Trauma Solutions online training
  • Working with the Most Challenging Clients, Dianne Pool Heller, Trauma Solutions online training
  • Overcoming Self Doubt and Shame: An Attachment and Trauma Sensitive approach, Dr Ron Seigal and Dianne Pool Heller, Trauma Solutions online training
  • Multiple online Trauma Super Conferences and webinars by Alex Howard, PESI, The Embody Lab, Anna Grear, and many more.

Pilates

Fully Certified Pilates Instructor, APPI, 2007

  • Modified Pilates for Physiotherapists, Matwork Level 1, APPI (September 2006)
  • Modified Pilates for Physiotherapists, Matwork Level 2&3 APPI (March 2007)
  • Modified Pilates for Rehabilitation: Class Instructor Training. APPI (January 2007)
  • APPI work shop: Standing Pilates (March 2007)
  • Modified Pilates for Rehabilitation: Ante and Post Natal, APPI (2008)
  • Pilates for Osteoporosis, Body Control Pilates (March 2008)
  • Modified Pilates for Rehabilitation: Pilates and the Theraband, APPI (September 2008)
  • Standing Pilates, Body Control Pilates (October 2008)
  • 1st Annual Pilates Conference (November 2009)
  • Modified Pilates for Rehabilitation: Pilates and the Ball, APPI (January 2009)
  • Pilates workshops: Exercise for Pregnancy, Amit Younger, Pilates Per-Se (BASI) (April 2010)
  • Pilates workshops: Exercise for Back Pain, Amit Younger, Pilates Per-Se (BASI) (May 2010)
  • Pilates workshops: Simple Moves, Advanced Work-out, Amit Younger, Pilates Per-Se (BASI) (June 2010)
  • Modified Pilates for Rehabilitation: Reformer on the Mat, APPI (March 2011)
  • Modified Pilates for Rehabilitation: 3D standing Pilates, APPI (February 2012)
  • Pilates for Golfers, Weybridge (February 2013)
  • Modified Pilates for Rehabilitation Pilates and shoulder rehabilitation, APPI (March 2014)
  • APPI Founder’s Workshop, Alisa and Glen Withers, APPI (March 2015)
  • Pilates for Hypermobility, Glen Withers, APPI (September 2017)
  • APPI  on Tour – Glen Withers, Oxford (November 2017)
  • APPI Pilates conference  – London (November 2018)

Let's Talk

Let me know what you need help with and we can chat through the best treatment options for you. As I'm usually with clients, it's easiest to send me a message and I will call you back.

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