Michael Ridgway
Ridgway Method Certified educator
APA titled musculoskeletal physiotherapist [B.Phty & M.Phty]
Principal Physiotherapist at Youngify

"'One of my biggest strengths is that I am a dedicated, scientific, problem-solver,
and one of my biggest weaknesses is that I am a dedicated, scientific, problem-solver.

I feel privileged that my strengths can bring me and my clients so much satisfaction, and I continue to work hard at simplifying to get better with my weaknesses."

After 25 years of practice as a physiotherapist, Michael believes that although all good therapies have a strong movement aspect, it is difficult to change old patterns of movement unless we address subconscious protection by the nervous system.

The nervous system works by sensing and responding to internal and external forces throughout the body and not just the painful part and the main problems are not ‘all in the head'.

“In 2000 I returned to university to study a speciality physiotherapy degree because I wanted to be the best I can be in my career.

I am forever grateful for the amazing skills I was taught by some of our profession’s best educators.

After a couple of years of implementing everything I was taught to the best of my ability

I was left disillusioned because my results with clients were inconsistent a best.

Some clients got better relatively quickly.

Some clients, to be honest most clients, didn’t get much better than if they just rested without my help.

And some clients didn’t get better at all, despite me trying everything I was taught.

All the problem-solving approaches I was taught weren’t working well enough for me.

I was considering leaving physiotherapy - like the majority of my peers had already done.

But I had some light-bulb moments that sparked my interest.

I learned from a neuroscientist in 2001 (Alan Mackay-Sim, who became Australian of the Year 16 years later)

that the nervous system is always accurate and precise and does everything for a reason.

Then I saw a physiotherapy conference presentation from Professor Lorimer Mosely,

from that I took away that the brain creates pain and chooses where to ‘map’ the pain in our bodies,

and I concluded that the pain is not necessary where the primary problem is.

When traditional treatments didn’t work with my clients I tried something different.

The first I recall was a client with neck pain which was not improving after 3 weeks of me trying everything I was taught.

I also saw a problem in their shoulder, released a shoulder muscle, and while I was doing this release the client turned their neck immediately with 80% improvement in movement and no pain.

We both shouted out loud in shock and surprise and the whole clinic wondered what that was all about.

After that I tried traditional treatments and also different treatments on every client.

I read numerous neuroscience articles that showed me how the nervous system responds and controls movement problems - it’s not as much about muscles and joints like I was taught.

The more neuroscience I read the more it made sense why doing physiotherapy differently is so effective.

I spent about 10 years in total, compiling the results from every client I saw.

Our team also helped trial and find-tune the system.

It wasn’t easy, but gradually over time I was able to work out how to systematically solve pain and injury.

I started an education business called Ridgway Method and developed a step-by-step system that is now Ridgway Pain & Injury Process.

I started teaching this system in 2006 to my team as it was being developed,

and then we taught it physiotherapists throughout Australia, New Zealand, Taiwan and in 2019 we started courses in London and Glasgow.

In 2019 Ridgway Method had its first lecture presented to a physiotherapy class in an Australian University [of Melbourne].

I am proud to say that the Ridgway Pain & Injury Process reveals new insights into musculoskeletal health.

I now consider myself fortunate to be in the pain and injury industry,

and to have the chance to help people more than the traditional approaches allow.

I feel honoured to be able create a system that other practitioners can use to help people more than they could otherwise,

including long after I am gone.” - Michael Ridgway

Michael's history includes:

Michael’s physiotherapy team have been sought after by some of Australia’s top athletes (Olympic, Commonwealth Games, World Championships) as well as everyday people who are looking for an advanced type of help.

Michael is also developer and presenter of rowing biomechanics lectures for the Sports Physiotherapy Masters program at the University of Queensland (2005 & 2006), and Vertebral Artery Safety within Manual Therapy for Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy Australia.

He has lectured for other professionals such as GP registrars (at CSQTC), University of Queensland Exercise Physiology course and Southbank/Sunshine Tafe Diploma of Fitness courses.

Inventor

The BRace - and co-founder of Rowergo International. This ergonomic device helps prevent back pain and improves the ergonomics and performance in Concept2 rowing machine users. As seen on the ABC TV program, The New Inventors.

Research

Michael’s master’s research included proving that deep neck stability muscle activation decreases tenderness in neck-headache joints. This has contributed to a large body of research that has helped the musculoskeletal world provide evidence-based muscle activation exercises for neck pain clients:

Congram, M. A., Jull, G. A., Vicenzino, B.G.T., Vegter, N. L., Ridgway, M. and Fleming, H. M. (2001). Initial mechanical hypoalgesic effect in cervicogenic headache patients following therapeutic exercises. In: , Integrating Approaches. 1st International Conference on Movement Disorders, Sheraton Grand Hotel, Edinburgh. 21-23 September.

Interest

Michael’s most memorable holiday destination: the top of a 5500m Himalayan mountain.

To get an appointment with Michael Ridgway: