Booking your first session with someone new can feel uncertain. You don’t know exactly what will happen, whether it will help, or what you’re getting into.
This post walks you through exactly what to expect when you come to Breakthrough Pain & Performance for the first time. No surprises. No mystery. Just honest information so you can arrive feeling prepared.
Before You Arrive
What to Wear
Wear comfortable clothing that you can move in easily. Sports clothes or gym wear are ideal, but anything comfortable works.
Depending on what we’re assessing, I might need to observe how you move, test strength in various positions, or access certain areas of your body. Loose-fitting clothes make this easier. Shorts and a t-shirt are usually perfect.
You don’t need to bring anything special. Just yourself and a willingness to participate in the process.
Clinic Locations
We have clinics in Newcastle city centre, Gosforth, Durham, Sunderland, and North Shields. When you book, you’ll choose which location works best for you.
Each clinic is easy to find with parking nearby or good public transport links. You’ll receive confirmation details when you book that include the specific address and any helpful notes about access.
Arriving
Aim to arrive a few minutes early so you’re not rushed. First sessions run for a full hour, and I like to use that time efficiently rather than cutting things short because we started late.
The Conversation
Every first session begins with a conversation. I’ll ask you about what’s brought you here — your pain, your symptoms, how long it’s been going on, what you’ve tried, and what’s worked or hasn’t.
This isn’t just polite small talk. The details of your history often contain clues about what’s really going on. An old injury you forgot about, a surgery years ago, an activity that seems unrelated — these can all be relevant.
I’ll also ask about your goals. What would you like to be able to do that you can’t do now? What would success look like for you? This helps me understand what matters to you and what we’re working towards.
Ask any questions you have during this conversation. If something about my approach doesn’t make sense, or if you’re wondering about something, this is a good time to ask.
The Assessment
The assessment is the core of the first session. This is where we find out what’s actually going on in your body — not just where it hurts, but why.
Whole-Body Testing
Even if your pain is in one specific area, I’ll assess your whole body. This might seem unusual if you’re used to treatments that focus only on the painful spot, but there’s a good reason for it.
As explained in the post on why pain keeps coming back, the area that hurts is often not the source of the problem. Your nervous system is interconnected, and dysfunction in one area can create symptoms in another. Testing your whole body lets us find these connections.
How Muscle Testing Works
Most of the assessment uses muscle testing. This involves checking how your muscles respond to gentle resistance while I touch or stimulate different areas.
You’ll be asked to hold a position while I apply light pressure. Your job is simply to resist — not with maximum effort, just enough to hold position. I’m not testing how strong you are in a gym sense. I’m testing whether your nervous system is communicating properly with that muscle.
Sometimes a muscle will test strong, and then become weak when I touch a specific area of your body. This tells me something important about neurological connections. Other times, a muscle that should be working will be inhibited, explaining why certain movements feel difficult or certain areas feel unstable.
This testing process is collaborative. I’ll explain what I’m looking for as we go, and you’ll often feel the differences yourself.
What We’re Looking For
The assessment aims to identify dysfunction in the sensory receptors throughout your body. These receptors — in your muscles, tendons, joints, and skin — send constant information to your brain about what’s happening. When they become dysfunctional, they send inaccurate information, and your body compensates in ways that often create pain.
By the end of the assessment, I’ll have a clear picture of which receptors are dysfunctional and how they’re affecting your movement, your muscle function, and your pain.
Treatment in the First Session
Whether we do treatment in the first session depends on what the assessment reveals and how much time we have after thorough assessment.
If time allows and we’ve identified clear dysfunction that can be addressed, we’ll begin treatment. This gives you an immediate sense of what change feels like.
If the assessment is complex and takes most of the session, we might not treat extensively in the first visit. I’d rather understand your situation fully than rush into treatment without a complete picture.
What Treatment Feels Like
P-DTR treatment itself is gentle. There’s no cracking of joints, no deep painful massage, no needles. Treatment involves stimulating specific receptors while you perform particular movements or hold certain positions. The combination of inputs resets the dysfunctional receptor.
Most people are surprised by how subtle it is — and how immediate the change can be. A muscle that tested weak will suddenly test strong. A movement that felt restricted will suddenly feel free. These changes happen in real time during the session.
The changes don’t typically cause soreness afterwards. Most people leave feeling better than they arrived — lighter, more mobile, or simply more comfortable.
After the Assessment
At the end of the session, I’ll explain what I’ve found and what it means. You’ll understand why you’ve been experiencing the symptoms you have, and why previous treatments may not have worked.
I’ll give you an honest assessment of whether I think I can help. If your situation is something that responds well to this approach, I’ll recommend a treatment plan — how many sessions I’d expect it to take and how often you’d need to come.
If I don’t think this approach is the right fit for what you’re dealing with, I’ll tell you that honestly too. There’s no point in taking your money for treatment that won’t help.
No Homework (Usually)
Most first sessions don’t end with a long list of exercises to do at home. This might be refreshing if you’ve accumulated folders full of exercise sheets that you struggle to fit into your day.
Exercises have their place, and sometimes they’re necessary. But in many cases, the problem isn’t weakness that needs training — it’s neurological dysfunction that needs resetting. Once the dysfunction is resolved, your muscles often work properly without needing to be trained.
If exercises or self-care are relevant to your situation, I’ll give you specific, targeted things to do — not generic programmes but personalised recommendations based on what your assessment revealed.
The Taster Session Option
If you’re not sure whether this approach is right for you, we offer a free taster session. This is a shorter session — typically 20-30 minutes — that gives you a taste of the assessment process without committing to a full session.
During a taster session, I’ll do enough assessment to show you what the process involves and usually uncover something interesting about what’s going on in your body. It’s a chance to experience the approach, ask questions, and see if it feels like a good fit.
There’s no obligation after a taster session. If you want to proceed with full treatment, we can book that. If not, that’s fine too.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many sessions will I need?
This varies depending on your situation. Some straightforward problems resolve in two or three sessions. More complex or long-standing issues might need more. I’ll give you a realistic estimate after the first session once I’ve assessed your situation.
Do I need a referral from my GP?
No. You can book directly without a referral.
Is this covered by health insurance?
This depends on your policy. Some insurers cover treatment, others don’t. Check with your provider if this is relevant to you.
What if I’m nervous?
That’s completely normal. Most people who come to see me have already tried various treatments without success, so there’s often understandable scepticism about whether anything new will work.
My approach is to explain everything as we go, so you understand what’s happening and why. There are no surprises. If at any point you’re uncomfortable or don’t want to continue, just say so.
What if it doesn’t work for me?
Not every approach works for every person. If after the first session I don’t think I can help, I’ll tell you honestly. I’m not interested in stringing people along for sessions that won’t benefit them. If there’s something I can’t help with, I’ll try to point you in a useful direction if I can.
Ready to Book?
If you’re ready to find out what’s really going on in your body and why your pain has persisted despite everything you’ve tried, book your first session or start with a free taster to experience the assessment process.