Paul Baker MCSP
Paul Baker MCSP
I trained at University of the West of England, Bristol and qualified as a physiotherapist in 1997. I am a Chartered Physiotherapist, a member of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy, registered with the Health and Care Professions Council, an AACP accredited acupuncturist and a member of Physio First. I also hold a Postgraduate Diploma in Independent Private Practice from the University of Brighton.
As Co-Founder and Clinical Director of goPhysio, I have nearly 30 years’ experience and have completed more than 40,000 face-to-face patient consultations. I specialise in the problems that have not resolved elsewhere — stubborn, recurrent, confusing or multi-site injuries where people feel they have tried everything but still do not have a clear answer.
At goPhysio, I commonly help people with sciatica and trapped nerves, low back pain, back, SIJ and hip problems, neck pain, shoulder injuries, running injuries, weight-lifting and gym injuries, and BPPV dizziness.
My approach is direct, detailed and patient-centred. I listen carefully, work out what is really causing the problem, explain it clearly and start treatment from the first session.
Most people I see are not “broken” — they are stuck. Your body is built to heal, but something is keeping the problem irritated faster than it can recover. My job is to work out exactly what is going on, why it has not settled, and what needs to change so recovery can finally get moving.
I often ask, “why now?” You may have bent, lifted, run, reached or trained thousands of times without trouble, so what changed? Usually it is not one single thing, but a combination of factors that have built up over time. Your body adapts brilliantly, right up until the point it can no longer compensate. That is when symptoms appear.
My first appointment is built around understanding. Before you arrive, you will share your story through a short online form, in your own words and in your own time. I will read this before your appointment so we are not starting from scratch. In the session, we go deeper — where the pain is, where it travels, what sets it off, what eases it and what it has stopped you doing.
From there, I carry out a focused physical assessment, explain the diagnosis clearly and set out a treatment plan with key milestones and honest timescales. Treatment starts that same day, and I will send you a written recovery plan afterwards so you know exactly what to stop, what to start, and what to work on between sessions.
I have completed extensive postgraduate training in orthopaedic medicine, sacroiliac joint assessment and treatment, Kinetic Control, spinal manipulation, acupuncture and dry needling, tendinopathy, foot mechanics, GaitScan custom orthotics, shockwave therapy, the Epley manoeuvre for BPPV and patient motivation and behaviour change. I also hold a formal teaching qualification and, as Clinical Director, have trained more than 70 physiotherapists and sports therapists.
My experience includes working with lower-limb overuse injuries, Ministry of Defence patients, runners, triathletes, cyclists, golfers, rugby, football and tennis players, professional dancers and performers. But the heart of my caseload has always been everyday people who simply want their life back — to sleep, work, lift their child, run, train, garden, play golf or get through the day without pain dominating everything.
Patients often tell me they value finally having a clear diagnosis, a plan that makes sense and the confidence that they are moving in the right direction. I will always be straight with you: what is wrong, what we can do about it, how long it is likely to take and, if physiotherapy is not what you need, who you should see instead.
I co-founded goPhysio with my wife Fiona in 2001, and nearly 30 years after qualifying I still spend most of my working week treating patients. It is still the part of the job I enjoy most.
Outside of work, I grew up in Ireland playing Gaelic football and have tried plenty of adrenaline sports over the years, including scuba diving, wakeboarding, kitesurfing, mountain biking, off-road running and the gym. These days, it is mainly golf, the gym and keeping up with our three children. I also wrote a book, which was a ‘bestseller’ on Amazon (for a day!!).
You can also connect with me on LinkedIn.