Part B - The Cervical and Thoracic Spine

Dr Philomena Commons

PhD MSc Dip. MDT Grad Dip Phys MCSP

Specialist Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist
McKenzie Tutor

Phil has vast experience in Musculoskeletal physiotherapy specialising in back and neck problems and often treating people who have exhausted all other rehabilitation options. As a McKenzie Method tutor and practitioner, Phil not only aims to treat an acute episode but also to break the cycle of recurrent disabling episodes of pain. She is currently a board member of the McKenzie Branch in the UK.

Clinical and teaching roles.

Phil has held several senior posts in the NHS in Yorkshire and Lancashire in UK. These include a clinical specialist role in the “Pennine Acute Trust”, working alongside orthopaedic and spinal consultants. She has a fastidious interest in evidence-based practice and completed her PhD in 2011 in Leeds University in the Disability Studies department. Until 2022 she worked part time as a Senior Lecturer of Physiotherapy and Sports Therapy at Leeds Beckett University teaching undergraduate and postgraduate physiotherapy courses and supervising research projects. She continues to work in a clinical role and to teach Mckenzie courses.

With a keen interest in fitness and well- being Phil previously completed the Crossfit level 1 trainer course and holds a diploma in life coaching. More recently she has completed levels 1 and 2 in Brain Working Recursive Therapy. She works closely with specialist neurophysiotherapists and runs exercise classes weekly for older adults and people affected by Parkinson’s disease focusing on improving functional ability.

Overseas experience

After an initial eight years in the  NHS Phil then moved to gain overseas experience. She worked as a Physiotherapist in Bangladesh for several years, where she transformed the lives of many people and made great strides in the teaching of physiotherapy. She taught the first Mckenzie Course in Bangladesh in 2000 and in addition to UK subsequently has been involved in teaching physiotherapy in Afghanistan, Madagascar, India, and in other developing countries. Alongside her clinical work in two Leeds private clinics she provides a physiotherapy service to St Georges Crypt – a city centre homeless project in Leeds.