Marie Ayres:
McTimoney Chiropractor, Somatic Movement & Pain Coach (MMCA)
I’m a registered healthcare professional with over 17 years of experience in helping people with physical pain and discomfort feel more comfortable and at ease in their bodies. I’m passionate about inspiring them with the knowledge, resources, and strategies they need to forge their own unique path to a lighter and freer way of being.
The people who choose to work with me come with a range of problems, from the bothersome feeling of tension and stiffness to long-term pain and disability. Their challenges are different, but what they have in common is the realisation that a generic one-size-fits-all approach isn’t for them. And they are correct – it isn’t right for anyone!
In 2008, I graduated as a McTimoney Chiropractor with a BSc (Hons) degree in Chiropractic. Since then, my professional development has been focused on psychology, somatic movement, and pain neuroscience education to broaden my scope of practice as a psychologically informed practitioner. I am continually updating my knowledge, ensuring my approach remains aligned with the rapidly evolving landscape of evidence-based practice.
My journey into this field has been deeply influenced by my own experience with chronic pelvic pain, and I have become devoted to understanding and unravelling the complexities of persistent and chronic pain conditions. My approach is fundamentally person-centred, acknowledging the unique narrative of each person’s pain experience.
McTimoney Chiropractic is a full-body treatment that uses gentle joint mobilisation to refine the connection between the brain and body, turning down the volume of pain and tension from head to toe. This creates some leeway for you to more easily integrate lifestyle approaches, such as movement and stress management, fostering a return to doing the things you need and want to do in life. Very little force is applied – far less than you might expect if you’ve experienced other chiropractic techniques – making it a comfortable and pleasant treatment to receive.
Somatic movement coaching is about moving differently. In this gentle practice, we draw upon the principles of Hanna Somatics, the Feldenkrais Method, and motor imagery to simultaneously re-engage your brain, nervous system, and body. Small, incremental movements, done slowly with awareness, calm your nervous system and deepen the communication between the brain and body.
This interconnection brings a more fluid and graceful quality to how you move, taking the challenge out of everyday chores and activities. If pain is making it a real struggle to move, somatic movement is a safe and sustainable way to begin skillfully rebuilding your tolerance to physical activity.
Underpinning my whole approach is knowledge and tailored pain neuroscience education. You don’t need to become an expert in pain neuroscience, but by developing a new understanding of how pain works, you can challenge the common unhelpful beliefs that prevent healing and recovery. Recognising and trusting your body’s signals means you can make discerning and informed choices that support your health and well-being.
People with chronic and persistent pain who have progressed to a state of recovery have said this was the turning point for them – gaining an understanding of their pain and learning what they can do themselves to influence it.
***If you require more information and guidance about therapy, please use the contact form at the bottom of this page.***