Will Roberts talks to a former computer programmer who is helping to put phobia sufferers on the right track.

"I HAVE worked with people who have had ten years of NHS therapy and within ten minutes of my system what they had has gone.”

Tim Phizackerley, a computer programmer turned hypnotherapist, is nothing if not confident in his invention – called PS Tec, which stands for Percussive Suggestion Technique.

According to Tim, of Butterknowle, near Bishop Auckland, the results of PS Tec and the testimonials of those who have used it prove how effective it is. The system, which is said to cure phobias of all types as well as relieving post traumatic stress and compulsions such as smoking, involves patients listening to an 11-minute audio track.

The track is made up of instructions from Tim, combined with a variety of beats, which the listener taps along to, while visualising things in their mind. It is now being used by hypnotherapists across the globe, with many returning positive results.

On one occasion, a therapist Chris de Castell, from Toronto, Canada reported successfully treating a victim of January’s Haitian earthquake.

The woman refugee had complained of still being able to feel the quake under her feet and not being able to get rid of the smell of bodies under the rubble. However she was relieved of the stress after working through the PS Tec system with Mr De Castell.

Tim says the premise on which the therapy is based is simple. “People get used to thinking in a loop-like way so that the same memory always has the same emotion and the two end up being connected,” he says.

“They end up rattling around the sub-conscious like a pea in a whistle.

All we’re doing is stopping the brain having one thought and automatically going in to something else – it’s called Pattern Interrupt.”

Tim first used the therapy on clients who suffered from anorexia or bulimia but through a US colleague it has begun to be used to treat other problems.

“When I created it, I had no idea it was going to be as effective as it is or have the variety of uses it has,” he says. “I knew it could be used for other things but never really went in to those areas because I was concentrating on anorexia and bulimia. I can see it being used to clear out all of the unwanted rubbish in people’s minds.”

While much of the feedback from the technique has been positive, Tim says it does not work if people fail to go into it with the right mindset.

“I would recommend two things,”

he says. “One would be to ignore the fact that what you are doing seems weird. The other is to follow the instructions to the letter, because that is where most people slip up and it doesn’t work for them.”

■ More information on PS Tec, including free audio therapy tracks, is available by visiting pstec.org

Rachel follows the signs

AN experienced teacher is switching classes to help give babies a better start in life.

Mother-of-two Rachel Downs says she decided to change her teaching role after 14 years to help get her work/life balance right and also for the reward of seeing children learn to communicate faster.

The 36-year-old will become the first franchisee of TalkFirst baby signing classes in the North-East.

“As a teacher, I know how important it is to develop children’s communication from a very young age,”

she says. “Children with good speech and language skills get off to the very best start at school.

“I read about the benefits of baby signing and when my first daughter Sophie was a baby, I was interested in taking her to a class, but there weren’t any in the area. I attended a TalkFirst Baby Signing open day and was amazed at how educational, fun the classes are. It was a pleasure to see babies and toddlers smiling and enjoying themselves while developing their communication skills at the same time.”

TalkFirst is the brainchild of Julie Ryder, from Lancashire, who developed the step-by-step language programme.

A colourful jester puppet, Dexter, whose hands are that of the signing tutor, encourages children to learn sign language and discover a way of communicating before they can talk.

The signed words are always spoken, ensuring children receive audio as well as visual cues, and the classes aim to appeal to all styles of learner with action songs and movement.

“It reduces frustration, brings on speech and encourages bonding,”

says Julie. “All children want to communicate and baby signing provides the invaluable link to help children and their parents understand each other.”

Rachel, who lives in Chester-le- Street, will begin her classes in September and her younger daughter Millie, six months, will be among the first to benefit.

■ Call Rachel on 07811-287296 or email rachel@talkfirst.net

Is your back packed correctly?

Physiotherapist Andrew Wilson gives some expert advice

HOLIDAY time can literally be a pain in the butt for those of you with backache – and even worse for people suffering from sciatica (leg pain).

The thought of sitting for hours on end on the plane, too embarrassed to ask the person next to you to move so you can stand up; lifting heavy cases with far more clothes than you’ll ever wear and finally sleeping in a strange bed can be quite daunting if you are struggling with back pain.

So here are a few handy hints to help you enjoy your holiday and, hopefully, return home revived and comfortable, rather than the exact opposite.

For most back complaints, sitting for more than 30 minutes will cause pain, so long car journeys need to be broken up by simply getting out of the car, walking around it twice and then setting off again. The same is true of flights – try to book an aisle seat so you can easily get up regularly for a walk. The seat itself can be an issue, but you can use a lumbar support and tilt the back of the seat backwards about ten degrees.

The obvious concern is lifting a heavy case. Try drawing in your belly button to tense your stomach muscles.

This will protect your back and should make lifting more comfortable. A wheeled suitcase is a must and try to keep hand luggage to a minimum.

If you’re heading to sunny climes, then the pool will look very inviting.

The only thing to be careful of with swimming is that the breaststroke can upset some back complaints, so try to use the front crawl kick.

You may be tempted to hire a bike, or perhaps you’re going on a cycling holiday. Remember those regular breaks when you have to sit for long periods, this is especially true for cycling, as your back is bent forward too. This puts more pressure on your discs (the spine’s shock absorbers).

Bedtime can be a real issue if you are unlucky and get the softest bed in the hotel. Don’t hesitate to ask for a firmer mattress. It’s also a good idea to take your own pillow if you have a neck ailment.

With these few handy hints, I hope you can enjoy the sun, sea, sand and... sleep.

Andrew Wilson, MCSP SRP chartered physiotherapist

Tel: 01609-763110

thephysio.com

info@thephysio.com