Maiwand Banayee

Maiwand is an HCPC-registered physiotherapist with extensive experience in musculoskeletal assessment, rehabilitation, sports injuries and the management of persistent pain. He has worked with people of different ages, abilities and physical demands.

His interest in physiotherapy grew from his own experiences in sport. Having practised Taekwondo and kickboxing from a young age, and later taking up boxing, his competitive martial arts career was brought to an end by persistent lower back pain. This experience sparked his interest in understanding back pain, how injuries affect people's lives and how rehabilitation can help them return to the activities they enjoy.

Maiwand spent approximately nine years working in rehabilitation within the Ministry of Defence, supporting a wide range of military personnel, from elite UK Special Forces members to regular service personnel. His work involved assessing and managing musculoskeletal injuries, developing rehabilitation programmes and helping individuals return to their everyday activities and physically demanding military duties. He has also worked with rugby teams, recreational athletes and older adults undergoing rehabilitation.

He holds an MSc in Physiotherapy and Leadership, a BSc in Athletic Therapy and Sports Injury Rehabilitation, and a Postgraduate Certificate in Neuromuscular Therapy. He has also completed all three levels of the McGill Method, further developing his knowledge of lower back pain assessment, spinal biomechanics and rehabilitation.

Maiwand believes that treating pain involves more than simply looking at muscles and joints. He follows a holistic, biopsychosocial approach, recognising how physical, psychological, social and lifestyle factors can influence pain and recovery. His treatment combines evidence-based physiotherapy, individualised exercise rehabilitation and patient education, with a strong emphasis on helping patients understand their condition and take an active role in their recovery.

Having experienced persistent back pain himself and knowing how it affected his sporting ambitions, Maiwand believes strongly in treating the person, not just the symptoms. His aim is to empower patients with the knowledge, confidence and practical tools to manage their condition, improve their physical function and return to the activities they enjoy.

Whether helping an older person regain mobility and independence, supporting someone with persistent back pain or rehabilitating an athlete returning to sport, Maiwand tailors his approach to each person's needs and goals.

Clinical interests: Lower back pain and spinal rehabilitation, musculoskeletal injuries, persistent pain, rehabilitation of older adults, strength and conditioning, and return-to-work and return-to-sport rehabilitation,