My process starts with a detailed 3-hour assessment.
This includes an interview to understand your history, followed by a biomechanical assessment to identify the postures, movements, and loads that provoke your symptoms. I also assess relevant mobility restrictions and movement habits that may be contributing to the problem.
From there, I build a personalised plan to help you reduce aggravating factors, rebuild confidence, and progressively improve your muscular endurance and strength.
If you're dealing with persistent or recurring low back pain and have already tried physiotherapy, chiropractic, massage, yoga, or generic exercise programs without getting the clarity you needed, you're not alone. Most of my clients come to me after trying several approaches that either didn’t help enough or sometimes made things worse.
It’s common to feel like you’ve invested time and money without understanding why your back pain keeps returning, or why certain exercises, stretches, postures, or daily activities continue to irritate it. You may now be wondering whether a more detailed assessment-based approach is appropriate, and if it is, what it costs.
Here, I’ll explain how the McGill Method assessment process is different, break down the exact pricing of my programs, show what each option includes, and help you decide whether it’s the right next step for you.
"In the initial 3-hour session, Andy was meticulous about understanding my history and which movements caused or relieved pain. No other health care provider has taken this kind of time and attention."
Andy Marlow
Most low back pain rehab fails when treatment begins before the problem has been properly understood.
Low back pain is not one generic condition. Labels such as “non-specific low back pain,” “degenerative disc disease,” or “mechanical low back pain” may describe broad categories, but they rarely explain why symptoms are being provoked in daily life.
Two people can have similar-looking MRI scans but need very different strategies. That's why the assessment looks at your personal history, previous treatments, daily postures, movement habits, movement tolerances, pain triggers, mobility restrictions, lifestyle factors and training program, including any exercises or stretches that may be aggravating the issue.
This is why the assessment takes 3 hours. There is too much relevant information to cover properly in a short appointment without missing details that may be central to your case.
Without that level of detail, rehab becomes hit and miss.
My job is to help you understand the specific pattern behind your back pain, then build a plan around it. The aim is not temporary relief, but helping you reduce the habits and movements that keep irritating your back and rebuild the physical capacity to return to training, work, and daily life with more confidence.
I'm in a small minority of practitioners who specialise in low back pain rehab. I take on new clients who have been dealing with low back pain for a minimum of 3 months, having not made the desired progress with generic rehab.
I will only take you on as a client if I believe I can help you (the purpose of the initial 15 minute consultation is to determine this). If I don't believe I can help you I will refer you out to the appropriate specialist.
Most cases of low back pain resolve within a few weeks. But a sizeable minority: roughly 1 in 3 at three months, and 1 in 5 at one year are still in significant pain.
If you're reading this it's likely that you're part of this significant minority. For you, generic treatments aren't enough. To maximise your chances of recovery, you need a personalised assessment that includes the following:
This has three functions:
If you have any questions or doubts about anything in between sessions you can contact me via the True Coach app through which I deliver your program. If you need me to check your exercise technique you can upload videos via the app for me to comment on. I will also adjust your program if you have any unexpected setbacks - it's nearly always possible to work around these.
All of your follow-up sessions will be with me. Having the same person deal with you throughout your recovery ensures important details aren't forgotten and that your program is progressed appropriately and consistently.
Not only will you be dealing exclusively with me, but I take the time to consult my detailed case notes before each session so we can make the most of your time in the sessions.
Persistent low back pain rarely exists in isolation. It is often influenced by repeated movement patterns, postures, training habits, lifestyle factors, and exposure to loads that exceed what your spine can currently tolerate.
It's true that genetics can play a role and may be responsible for 'loading the gun'. But it's behaviour and movement (or lack of it) that 'pull the trigger'.
Learning how to move in a way that reduces the stress on the passive tissues in your spine (your discs, ligaments, vertebrae, etc) is essential if you want to maintain your spine health for your lifetime.
The options below are appropriate for you if you have a minimum of 3 months of unresolved low back pain, repeated failed treatments, or uncertainty around your pain triggers.
These programs are not for people looking for passive treatment alone. Active participation from you is essential if you want to build a healthier, more resilient spine.
What's included:
*The fee includes a 1700 AED (460 USD) package discount. Payable in four instalments: 25% before the assessment, 25% at the beginning of month 1, 25% at the beginning of month 3, 25% at the beginning of month 5. The fees are the same for in-person and online sessions. For clients in the UAE 5% VAT is added to the fees.
What's included:
*The fee includes a 950 AED (260 USD) package discount. Payable in two instalments: 50% before the assessment, then 50% before the first follow-up session. The fees are the same for in-person and online sessions. For clients in the UAE 5% VAT is added to the fees.
What's included:
*Payable in advance. The fees are the same for in-person and online sessions. For clients in the UAE 5% VAT is added to the fees.
BOOK YOUR CONSULTATIONAfter your initial program:
Many clients choose to continue with me after their initial program to build further resilience, regain strength and fitness, or maintain accountability as they transition out of pain.
*All fees are monthly and payable in advance. There is no minimum commitment period - cancel any time. The fees are the same for in-person and online sessions. For clients in the UAE 5% VAT is added to the fees. All programs include: personalised programming via True Coach with monthly update + 1 extra update/month in the case of a flare-up.
Only you can decide what avoiding surgery, pain medication or years of frustration is worth. But if you’ve been stuck in a cycle of generic advice and temporary relief, the real question isn't just price. It’s whether you’re choosing a process detailed enough for your specific situation.
Here’s what some of my clients say:
“I suffered with chronic back pain for four years and tried everything: medication, physiotherapy, chiropractic care, acupuncture, massage, yoga. Nothing worked.
Andy’s thorough approach and easy-to-follow program have made a huge difference. I now feel empowered, in control of my pain, and hopeful about the future."
“After herniating a disc in 2014, I tried many solutions: physios, acupuncture, other specialists, but nothing helped. I started working with Andy 18 months ago and have now been pain-free for more than a year.
Training with Andy is the best investment I’ve made in my health. I definitely recommend working with him.”
“After months of back pain and trying massages, stretching, yoga, and physiotherapy that only worsened my symptoms, I found Andy.
I was surprised how detailed and effective it was online. He quickly identified pain-causing movements and showed me how to modify them. The pain improved quickly and within weeks I was almost always pain-free.
Thank you for your patience and dedication, Andy. This money is well spent for the sake of a pain-free life.”
