Willie Fourie, Late Complaints after Mastectomy - two day course

September 2004

As a musculoskeletal physiotherapist working in Private Practice, I am a million miles away professionally from physiotherapists working in Oncology - or am I?  I had heard about Willie's course and how he uses connective tissue treatments to improve pain and function post mastectomy, which I thought must have wider implications. I had completed Stuart Robertson's Fascial Release Course and although I had used this style of treatment, only found it useful in limited situations, so I wondered how Willie's treatment methods fitted with those of Stuart and if the two together would help in a wider situation.

What I found on the course was more than I had hoped for, Willie succeeded in completing the missing pieces in my physiotherapy jigsaw. Connective tissue connects everything; I suppose I knew that but hadn't given it much thought. Willie has given connective tissue huge time and thought and explained in great detail the mechanical role that this tissue has in the role of shoulder function. Whilst he related his course to the interference in the connective tissue of the breast surgeon, it was impossible not to relate this to shoulder surgery, injury and function.

I found the two day course intense, as the whole time Willie was talking and working I found my brain whizzing away to relate to my own practice. The lecture content was fascinating with a huge range of excellent slides and lots of reinforcement of the basics. The practical sessions put into practice assessment and treatment of connective tissue problems. In a small group there was plenty of time for Willie to check on everyone and answer questions as they arose.

It is now 2 weeks since the course and I have found a new lease of life in my work. My thought process at assessment and review has changed and I have been able to apply Willie's theories to nearly all my patients. The success of most of the treatment has been remarkable and although I haven't abandoned 20 years of experience, it has closed some of the gaps in difficult patients where previously I was left wondering what to do next.

Willie is a gentle, quiet man, who has a real talent for teaching.  If you only do one course this year, make it one of Willie Fourie's.

Frances West

(Wilmslow, Cheshire)