I Don’t Feel Like Dancin’ – The Creative Practice

Creative-Practice-I-dont-feel-like-dancin.

SEPTEMBER 2025

I really enjoyed watching The Scissor Sisters performance at Glastonbury 2025 on TV. However, a few months on, and this particular song now resonates in a different way…

At the end of August, I had the second of two joint realignment operations on my feet to treat severe osteoarthritis, which has threatened to render me unable to walk several times over the last few of years.

I had the first operation on one foot in January. The same operation had to be repeated on the other foot. Both required the bones to be skillfully sawed, shaved and shaped, and screwed back together again by an expert Orthopedic Surgeon at the Practice Plus Group Hospital in Shepton Mallet, Somerset.

The immediate recovery is very painful. It hurts a lot – but then so does the condition that it will hopefully resolve in the long-term!

Still going strong

Despite being an extremely active individual, I have had quite a few medical issues to deal with since my twenties. The two separate foot operations I have had this year contribute to a total of five major surgeries and one course of radiotherapy that I have required for various conditions since I moved back to the UK in 2018.

The previous 20 years have also been interspersed with operations and medical treatments. However, thanks to highly skilled specialists and other healthcare professionals in the UK and The Netherlands, advanced treatments, and the incredible support of family and friends, I am celebrating five years ‘breast cancer free’ (28th September), and 25 years ‘malignant melanoma free’ in 2025, after successful treatments for each, as well as other conditions. I consider myself to be a very lucky person indeed to still be around.

Each medical experience that I have brings with it additional knowledge about healthcare, medicine, medical technology, wellness and healing, from the perspective of being a patient. In addition, I can empathize fully with others with health issues and their families.

Medical companies are focused on providing products and services to improve healthcare. And most aim to enhance patient care, as well as improve the capabilities and experience of healthcare professionals. So, I leverage my own healthcare experiences as far as possible in my work for medical clients to complement my technical and clinical knowledge. Some of my clients’ excellent products and services have been imperative in my own diagnoses, treatments and survival, and this inspires me to continue to produce the very best work that I can for them.

Close colleagues, friends and family know that despite necessary medical procedures, I rarely miss a full days’ work for health reasons, that my laptop always travels with me in my hospital bag, and that I am usually tapping away on it from a hospital bed as soon as I can sit up! I do also get stronger mentally from each experience, and even more engaged in the amazing world of healthcare.

MSK – A very important branch of Healthcare

Orthopedic surgery is a subsector of Musculoskeletal Medicine (MSK) – an incredibly important field of healthcare. It’s important because it concerns our essence – movement – and also because a huge number of people across the world are affected by some form of musculoskeletal condition during their lifetime.

Approximately 1.71 billion people worldwide suffer from MSK disorders, which include back pain, neck pain, fractures, other injuries, osteoarthritis, amputation and rheumatoid arthritis¹. MSK conditions are the leading contributor to disability worldwide through limitations in mobility, dexterity and participation in work and play¹.

The prevalence of MSK conditions varies with age and diagnosis, with many experiencing problems later in life, but people of all ages, everywhere around the world can be affected. MSK conditions are also the highest contributor to the global need for rehabilitation¹. In addition, they often co-exist with other noncommunicable diseases, and can increase the risk of developing others, such as cardiovascular disease². And people with MSK conditions are also at higher risk of developing mental health issues because of the fundamental desire of humans for mobility.

The origins of MSK

The importance of a healthy MSK system has been recognized for thousands of years. Ancient civilizations used regular muscular exercise to prevent and treat disease. Notably, the Ancient Greeks played a large role in promoting this concept.

Hippocrates (c.460 BCE – c.375 BCE), considered as the ‘Father of Medicine’, prescribed exercise to some patients. His ideas influenced the beliefs of Claudius Galenus (c.129AD – 216AD), the Roman Empire’s most important physician, who promoted exercise as beneficial to good health.

Between the 14^th and 18^th centuries, the ideal of personal responsibility for good health consolidated further, and although knowledge of anatomy, physiology and therapeutic interventions was strengthened considerably, the principle of using exercise within medicine maintained a prominent place in society.

Ultimately, the roots of exercise physiology in history provided a base that contributed to our understanding of the importance of muscular fitness in the prevention of disease and maintenance of good health.

Hippocrates – The Father of Medicine.

The origins of MSK

The importance of a healthy MSK system has been recognized for thousands of years. Ancient civilizations used regular muscular exercise to prevent and treat disease. Notably, the Ancient Greeks played a large role in promoting this concept.

Hippocrates (c.460 BCE – c.375 BCE), considered as the ‘Father of Medicine’, prescribed exercise to some patients. His ideas influenced the beliefs of Claudius Galenus (c.129AD – 216AD), the Roman Empire’s most important physician, who promoted exercise as beneficial to good health.

Between the 14^th and 18^th centuries, the ideal of personal responsibility for good health consolidated further, and although knowledge of anatomy, physiology and therapeutic interventions was strengthened considerably, the principle of using exercise within medicine maintained a prominent place in society.

Ultimately, the roots of exercise physiology in history provided a base that contributed to our understanding of the importance of muscular fitness in the prevention of disease and maintenance of good health.

Hippocrates – The Father of Medicine.

Intrigued by MSK in animals and humans for over 30 years

I first developed an interest in MSK long before I had any medical issues myself at all. Back in 1991, as part of my Batchelor’s Degree (BSc.), I spent several months as an Equine Research Assistant at the Research Institute for Animal Husbandry in Lelystad, The Netherlands (which is now part of the Wageningen Bioveterinary Research (WBVR Group) of Wageningen University & Research (WUR)).

I carried out practical and statistical research into the effects of exercise and nutrition on the incidence of Osteochondrosis (a bone disorder), in young Dutch-Warmblood horses. This became my degree dissertation. After graduating, I returned there to study further with the Equine Science Research Team for a similar period too.

Since becoming a writer, I have worked extensively in the MSK field. I have developed articles and other texts about many aspects of MSK for various clients. These include biotechnology and pharmaceuticals involved in the development, global launch and roll out of major new drugs for treating MSK conditions; medical imaging which is key in diagnosis and interventional MSK treatments; surgical tools and materials for mending broken bones, joints and soft tissues; and specialist facilities and equipment for MSK and Sports’ Medicine.

Sports’ Medicine

Some of my clients even work in the high-level field of Elite Sports’ Medicine which centers around treatment and training of some of the world’s best athletes.

As this sector is uniquely positioned and richly resourced, it provides an ideal landscape for development of state-of-the-art technology. It is exciting to see the use of the innovations developed for elite sports medicine in broader context to advance the whole field of MSK.

Specialist equipment

The MSK field also encompasses a host of specialist equipment from surgical tools and aids, such as tourniquets, to implants, fixations like screws. In addition, there are a huge array of disability aids for recovery or assistance with long-term disability.

Veterinary MSK

Of course, MSK is as important in Veterinary Medicine as it is in Human Medicine. I was particularly reminded of the immense possibilities of this when I had the pleasure of interviewing Professor Noel Fitzpatrick, ‘The Supervet’, back in 2011, for an article that I developed for Pets International Magazine.

As well as being a fabulously charismatic interviewee and advocate for Veterinary MSK Medicine, Noel has pioneered bioengineering solutions in treating MSK conditions in animals for decades.

His most well-known cases include Oscar, ‘the bionic cat’ – the world’s first cat to receive two prosthetic feet – after both his hind paws were severed in an accident, (who sadly passed away at the grand old age of 18 in July this year) and Roly, an American Bulldog, who became the first dog in the world to be fitted with an artificial hip specially designed to ‘sandwich’ muscle with metal and fabric mesh to restore full mobility following excision of a large bone tumor.

Click here to read the full article

“I have dedicated the vast majority of my professional career to neuro-orthopedics and am passionate about advancing it. I believe wholeheartedly in leveraging technology, wherever possible, to provide pain free, functional quality of life – taking each patient as an individual case, of course. I am also convinced of the immense value of the ‘one medicine’ concept – that medical developments for animals and humans can, and should be, advanced hand-in-hand.”

Professor Noel Fitzpatrick

The ‘Futurescape’ of MSK

Research into solutions for currently uncurable MSK disorders, such as Muscular Dystrophy.
Advanced Orthobiologics including stem cell therapy could shift MSK care from symptom management to tissue regeneration.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) Powered Medical Imaging which enhances diagnostic possibilities.
Dynamic Medical Imaging.
Precision patient-specific implants made possible by 3D printing.
Smart wearables with sensor technology, digital and remote MSK patient monitoring.

The ‘Futurescape’ of MSK

Research into solutions for currently uncurable MSK disorders, such as Muscular Dystrophy.
Advanced Orthobiologics including stem cell therapy could shift MSK care from symptom management to tissue regeneration.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) Powered Medical Imaging which enhances diagnostic possibilities.
Dynamic Medical Imaging.
Precision patient-specific implants made possible by 3D printing.
Smart wearables with sensor technology, digital and remote MSK patient monitoring.

Return to full mobility

The recovery of bones, muscles, tendons, ligaments, nerves and the blood system that supports them generally takes longer than soft tissues. Our musculoskeletal systems are highly complex, interconnected systems.

A whole host of different specialties are involved in treating MSK conditions from other healthcare experts, neurologists, physiotherapists, specialist nurses, exercise and nutritional specialists, occupational experts and disability experts. There are a huge range of specialist medicines, as well as other wellness support, required. Some patients might need to even learn to move again, walk again, live again. And adapt to an entirely different way of life, change their lifestyles, jobs, income and outlooks. I have been lucky enough to work in many of these areas over the years, and I welcome the opportunity to expand into other MSK reaches.

The prognosis for the procedure that I have just received is good. And while it will take me more than six months more to recover fully from surgery and return to normal, but pain-free, activity, I am very excited about the renewed possibilities that I will have after joint surgery. I hope to return to riding as soon as possible. And ultimately, I hope that I will eventually be able to enjoy long distance running again, which I haven’t been able to do for several years.

The magic of movement

For now, I will leave you with some spectacular examples of how amazing movement with optimal health and mobility can be, from human and equine worlds. I have been ‘crushing out’ for many months on a discipline called Working Equitation (WE). And while the foot surgeries have rendered me mostly bedbound at home, or shuffling minimally about the house on crutches, with only partial weight bearing allowed on the operated foot for six weeks for each operation, I have been able to study WE more. I am very much looking forward to having a try at (at least) some of the moves with Grasshopper, who has the natural abilities that this sport requires, when I return to riding fitness.

Explore the equestrian sport of Working Equitation (Video 4.28 minutes).

And another example from some of the ‘crème de la crème’ of contemporary dance, who also demonstrate just how exquisitely creative movement of the human body can be when the joints do actually work!!

CDK Company, located in Waalre, The Netherlands, is an international dance company dedicated to empowering the next generation of dancers through a focus on collective training (Video 3.51 minutes).

Not stuck in the sand

While I am currently limited in my mobility, I can still continue to work as normal, and I am enjoying having your work to keep me occupied, channel my creative abilities, and take my mind off the pain. Thank you for sticking around.

‘If you stick around,
I’m sure that I’ll be fine.”

Scissor Sisters.

References:

1: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/musculoskeletal-conditions

2: Williams et al. Musculoskeletal conditions may increase the risk of chronic disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis of cohort studies. BMC Medicine 2018;16:167

Specialist Copywriting & Concepting Services

Return to full mobility

The recovery of bones, muscles, tendons, ligaments, nerves and the blood system that supports them generally takes longer than soft tissues. Our musculoskeletal systems are highly complex, interconnected systems.

A whole host of different specialties are involved in treating MSK conditions from other healthcare experts, neurologists, physiotherapists, specialist nurses, exercise and nutritional specialists, occupational experts and disability experts. There are a huge range of specialist medicines, as well as other wellness support, required. Some patients might need to even learn to move again, walk again, live again. And adapt to an entirely different way of life, change their lifestyles, jobs, income and outlooks. I have been lucky enough to work in many of these areas over the years, and I welcome the opportunity to expand into other MSK reaches.

The prognosis for the procedure that I have just received is good. And while it will take me more than six months more to recover fully from surgery and return to normal, but pain-free, activity, I am very excited about the renewed possibilities that I will have after joint surgery. I hope to return to riding as soon as possible. And ultimately, I hope that I will eventually be able to enjoy long distance running again, which I haven’t been able to do for several years.

The magic of movement

For now, I will leave you with some spectacular examples of how amazing movement with optimal health and mobility can be, from human and equine worlds. I have been ‘crushing out’ for many months on a discipline called Working Equitation (WE). And while the foot surgeries have rendered me mostly bedbound at home, or shuffling minimally about the house on crutches, with only partial weight bearing allowed on the operated foot for six weeks for each operation, I have been able to study WE more. I am very much looking forward to having a try at (at least) some of the moves with Grasshopper, who has the natural abilities that this sport requires, when I return to riding fitness.

Explore the equestrian sport of Working Equitation (Video 4.28 minutes).

And another example from some of the ‘crème de la crème’ of contemporary dance, who also demonstrate just how exquisitely creative movement of the human body can be when the joints do actually work!!

CDK Company, located in Waalre, The Netherlands, is an international dance company dedicated to empowering the next generation of dancers through a focus on collective training (Video 3.51 minutes).

Not stuck in the sand

While I am currently limited in my mobility, I can still continue to work as normal, and I am enjoying having your work to keep me occupied, channel my creative abilities, and take my mind off the pain. Thank you for sticking around.

‘If you stick around,
I’m sure that I’ll be fine.”

Scissor Sisters.

References:

1: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/musculoskeletal-conditions

2: Williams et al. Musculoskeletal conditions may increase the risk of chronic disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis of cohort studies. BMC Medicine 2018;16:167

SEPTEMBER 2025

Still going strong

MSK – A very important branch of Healthcare

The origins of MSK

The origins of MSK

Intrigued by MSK in animals and humans for over 30 years

Sports’ Medicine

Specialist equipment

Veterinary MSK

The ‘Futurescape’ of MSK

The ‘Futurescape’ of MSK

Return to full mobility

The magic of movement

‘If you stick around, I’m sure that I’ll be fine.”

Specialist Copywriting & Concepting Services

Return to full mobility

The magic of movement

‘If you stick around, I’m sure that I’ll be fine.”

Specialist Copywriting & Concepting Services

‘If you stick around,
I’m sure that I’ll be fine.”

‘If you stick around,
I’m sure that I’ll be fine.”