Chronic Pain

Widespread pain and exhaustion can have roots that a muscle-by-muscle approach does not reach. Chronic Pain involves widespread persistent pain, fatigue and sensitivity that often flare with stress and effort.

I’m a psychologically informed Chartered Physiotherapist and Somatic Experiencing® Trauma Therapist in Wokingham. I look at the whole person – especially the nervous system, protective patterns and life history behind the symptoms, not only the painful areas.

Why I work differently

Most pain care focuses on the painful area, a medication or an exercise. These matter, and I use them. But persistent pain is often kept going by a sensitised nervous system and by protective patterns the body learned long ago. If those are not addressed, the symptom tends to come back.

We will explore the roots of your pain

I add the nervous system, early experience, protective patterns and relationships to the picture. A thorough physical and neurological assessment comes first. Think of my work as a form of body psychotherapy. We work with mind and body. We look at how your system responds to threat and safety, patterns set up in response to single event trauma, grief, childhood developmental patterns, ancestral patterning and much more. We often work in sitting like traditional psychotherapy BUT we are exploring the bodily sensation, activation, emotions felt in the system as well as image and memories stored within you and restore harmony in the nervous system. We may use hands-on work, movement, explanation and conversation to help it recalibrate.

What working together involves

I begin with a thorough assessment of the physical and neurological picture, then ask how your nervous system, your history, early years and neuro-developmental pieces and your current life are shaping it. Sessions may be seated or on the treatment couch and may oe may not blend hands-on work, movement, conversation and, if you wish, consented touch, in whatever you need that day.

Presentations

What people tell me:

Pain that has lasted months or years
Scans that show little, or explain only part of it
Treatments that help for a while and then wear off
Pain that worsens with stress, poor sleep or emotional strain
Losing confidence in your body

Frequently asked Questions

Why do you work differently from other pain services?

I combine over 36 years of hands-on physiotherapy and diagnostic assessment with training in the nervous system, trauma and the body. My trauma therapy and somatic / nervous system and developmental psychology training allows a richer broader approach than typically pain devices offer. That lets me work on the tissues and on the underlying roots at the same time.

Do I need to have had trauma for this to apply?

No. Many people with persistent pain have no obvious trauma. Stress, overload and long-held protective patterns are common contributors.

What if my pain is from a recent injury?

Recent injuries are best seen by the physiotherapy team at rd physio.

A space for your healing journey

Whilst I recognise that your system may not “feel” safe – I recognise that and work with it in the session and, over time, create a space in which you can feel an ever increasing sense of internalised safety.

Rodger Duckworth sees clients at The Grange Health in Wokingham, Berkshire, and works with people from Wokingham, Reading, Bracknell, Crowthorne, Finchampstead, Winnersh, Binfield, Swallowfield, Hurst, Twyford, Henley-on-Thames, Sonning and the surrounding area.

Sessions are available in person or online.

The Grange | 15 Rectory Road | Wokingham | RG40 1DJ | 0118 978 6149

Whenever you are ready

A first message does not commit you to anything. Reception will help you find the right time.