Neil Mason
PRACTICE PRINCIPAL
PULSE SPORTS THERAPY SERVICES
Neil Mason
Neil is a Clinical Director, Consultant Physiotherapist and Performance Architect. He is also a graduate Sports therapist so holds a dual title as a practitioner. He held the post of First Team Physiotherapist at Brentford Football club as well as being a player there prior to this appointment so he understands the needs of the professional athlete as well as the amateur sportsperson.
About Neil
Neil was awarded a first class Bachelor of Sciences degree at University and has obtained further qualifications in the sports field including the highest level Sports Therapy Diploma and Football Association Diploma along with a Diploma in Biomechanics and Orthotics.
In 2012 he was flown to Brunei and offered the position of Physiotherapist / Sports Therapist to the Brunei Royal Family.
Neil gets referrals from around the UK and it has also been known for patients to fly in from as far away as Dubai!
He is also a qualified Football coach and has worked with youth and senior players from amateur through to professional players and coached grass-roots, academy and international footballers.
In the little bit of spare time that Neil has we’re not working in clinic he is a fully qualified FA coach, coach mentor and Hyrox athlete.
He has run a marathon and can be found in the gym six days a week. Neil loves all aspects of fitness, health and training. He has become more excited and motivated with the huge amount of research that is now coming out about longevity, health span, and fitness for all ages but particularly for patients over the age of 30.
He’s been married for 25 years to his wonderful wife Linda and only she knows how she has put up with him for so long! They have two fantastic sons, Ben and Ollie who are both full time football players and he is unbelievably proud of watching them fulfil their potential and supporting their ongoing journeys.
Neil has worked at numerous elite sporting events and was selected to be a physiotherapist for The Football Association. The teams he provided support for included players like John Terry, Ashley Cole, Scott Parker and Ledley King. This post involved working as a Physiotherapist on the games and at National Sports Centre training camps around the country. During his time as physiotherapist for the Premier Football League, Neil has treated all of the top referees and assistants and has had the fortune to treat three World Cup Final Referees!
He has worked pitch side at both the “old” and “new” Wembley stadiums as well as the Millenium stadium in Cardiff and the majority of premier and football league grounds in this country. Neil has also treated many celebrities and stars from stage and screen – many of whom are recognised household names and have been indebted to Pulse’s assistance in their recovery from injury and improvement in their sports performance. Neil regularly gets referrals from sports medicine, dance and orthopaedic consultants to treat their patients after they have sustained an injury.
He has treated elite sports people from many different disciplines and helped them to recovery and is as happy working with a Sunday morning recreational runner right through to the international standard competitor.
Neil takes a very “hands-on” approach to his role and is very proud to oversee the running of PULSE Sports Therapy.
Neil’s Accomplishments
WHAT OUR PATIENTS SAY ABOUT NEIL
“I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) in 2007 at the age of 63. It’s affected the use of my hands and my mobility. I’m able to walk quite well for about 45 minutes without a break but it’s at this point that the MS kicks in. I first came into contact with Pulse Sports Therapy for physio following knee and hip surgery and to work on improving my movement following the MS. But it was when I began seeing Neil for 45 minutes on a weekly basis that I became very aware of how well I was responding to the exercises he’d devised for our sessions, all based on the work that he does with patients who’ve got a variety of neurological disorders. I’ve been seeing him since 2010 and the benefit is both physical and mental. He’s inspirational and further encourages and supports me in my determination to maintain an exercise routine at home. I now regularly do 40 minutes (10 miles) of exercise bike to strengthen my legs, and ball juggling to keep my fingers and hands supple and to improve my balance and coordination. Without our weekly sessions and what I do at home my MS would gradually deteriorate. However, thanks to Neil, it is stable”.
“The best sports therapists are an integral part of your support team and steer you along the way, and Neil has done exactly that for me over the last 25 years.
In my twenties I was pushing my body to the limits as a netballer on the national club and county circuit. In those days, ankle and knee injuries from playing on hard courts were common-place and sadly, I was unlucky to suffer the injury all netballers dread, a torn ACL. It took me out of the game for a while, but the support Neil offered before, during and after surgery was second to none. It included referrals to trusted specialists, a comprehensive rehab plan (and he knew if I’d not stuck to it) and plenty of moral support. Especially as it wasn’t a smooth journey and took two reconstruction ops to put it right. We got there in the end.
In my thirties, I did go back to netball, but never quite to that same competitive level, so I needed to replace my thirst for fitness and competition with something else. Running. Well, I’m going in a straight line with less twisting and turning, so the knee should be OK, shouldn’t it? Step in Neil once again. I’m not sure when I told him I was doing the London Marathon, but he knew me well enough to have figured it out already. Training plans, strength work, practical tips, much needed muscle rubs, and importantly, plenty of moral support. He got me through that gruelling 26.2 miles, but he did recommend not to do it again, and I listened. He’ll be honest when he needs to be.
Road running took its toll so I carry a few niggles and picked up a foot injury. In my forties I have turned to swimming. Much less impact on these old joints, but Neil is still by my side. The conversations we have these days are about the rounded approach. How can I enhance my training plan with complementary exercise like yoga and pilates, what about the strength and conditioning work, stretching, sleep, recovery, nutrition? Neil is able to advise on all of it and help me think more holistically about my current fitness goals and looking after my body so I can continue to exercise and enjoy sport for many years to come.
I still enjoy my netball, but these days as a volunteer with the Jamaica squad when they’re competing in the UK. I was lucky enough to work with them at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham for their historic silver medal, their highest ever placing. It was an honour to be behind the scenes in the athlete’s village and witness the competition regimes of a whole range of sports. Neil would have been in his element!
I strongly recommend Neil and his team if you’re looking for more than a standard physio offering. He will consider the full picture, and cares about helping you reach your goals. Beware of his voice notes when you least expect it, he’s always checking you’re staying on track!”
“I was referred to the PULSE team by a Consultant Orthopaedic surgeon a few years ago following my ACL knee reconstruction and I have been working with Neil and Joe ever since for various injuries (including two hip replacements) to help maintain and build my fitness. They have been excellent in supporting and guiding me through my ‘journey’ and we have had great fun whilst doing it!”