Between heaven and earth, between body and soul

What led you to become a physiotherapist? What was your motivation and subsequent career development?

A little humor to start with: I could probably be a role model for those who do not know what to do in life. (laughs) When I was in my third year of elementary school, I had no idea where I was going, but I enjoyed sports all my childhood and was interested in the human body. I also liked languages, but most of all I looked around seeking inspiration from people who were really good at something. When I was a senior in high school, a new branch of physiotherapy opened in Motol, and I could finally say to myself: this is it. Since then, I have made a complete turn-around from my lack of interest in school. I used to go to the forest to study, and although I struggled a bit with physics, I eventually managed to graduate with honors and pass the medical school entrance exams. From then on, I devoted myself fully to physiotherapy. At university, I didn’t even live a classic student life, but rather lost myself in books and enjoyed going to the hospital to gain experience. I really appreciated being there and wanted to make the most of the time.

Is your approach to connecting body and soul unique, significantly different from other physiotherapists? For example, do patients mention that you come up with something special that they have not experienced elsewhere?

I think that I have always been in touch with both the mental and the physical side, and that this connection in patient care is not very common. One of the things I’ve learned over time is to look at the body as a whole. When we were at school, Professor Kolář showed us patients and mentioned specific important aspects in the care of the musculoskeletal system. He then explained the theory to us in the lecture hall, and I began to combine all this information together. I realized that if there is tension somewhere in the body at a certain point, I can expect the same thing to happen in other places – and not always those directly adjacent. For example, problems with the thoracic spine or shoulder can affect the knees, lumbar spine or the ankles.

My own experience with stress was also important to me. I am one of four children and sometimes I didn’t have everything I needed as a little boy. Pressure, tests and exams stressed me out a lot, manifesting in headaches and abdominal pain. This was then loosely followed by my experience in physiotherapy practice, when I began to notice that many patients weren’t healing as I had expected, even if they had similar physical problems. So I said to myself that there must be more to it than just the body, and I began to focus more on their stories. I noticed details such as tension in the muscles, blocking of the ribs or stiffness of the spine, but I also asked how they felt, how they interpreted what was happening to them... And a mosaic began to form before my eyes, which eventually resulted in a clear picture: here it was not just about exercising and straightening of the spine.

It was my experience that led me to this approach. I asked myself why I perceived some situations as stressful, and I learned to gradually recognize what got me stressed and immediately work on it. This is something you don’t learn in schools or training – you have to learn to look inside yourself, to ask yourself questions and not be afraid of it.

If you can do it with yourself, you will suddenly quickly know how your patients are doing. You watch how they come in, how they breathe, how they look, whether they can talk about things with ease, or whether everything is a big drama for them. This will tell you what may be dysfunctional, and during the examination, you will check whether there are problems scattered throughout the body in one way or another. If someone lives in sadness for a long time, you already know that certain parts of the body simply cannot function as they should. Pinpointing the cause of stress is crucial for psychosomatic well-being. This is an essential part of the approach to yourself and others, and often requires more work than you might think.

Do you have problems convincing patients that the connection between body and soul really exists? Or does everyone immediately agree that the cause of the pain may be rooted somewhere else?

It depends. In my practice, I have already learned how to communicate with people who are closed and with those who are just the opposite. Before I say anything, I find out how a person lives, what worries him or her. Then when I tell people: “If you’re constantly angry, not saying what you think, doing things that you don’t really need to do, and only your ego is telling you that you should, then it’s clear that the shoulder just won’t loosen up,” they begin to think.

For example, I recently had a client who, after our conversation, said to me: “You know, I want to buy a site for the company when I turn 65. My wife says I don’t need it, and I’m worried if I can even handle it financially, if I’ll be able to support my 15 people and so on. I would love to, but I’m scared.” My answer was clear: “You see, you’re doing things that don’t really suit your insides.” Even if a person naturally cannot change their approach right away, they will at least start to think about it, which is the first step to understanding and change.

If I’m following you, it is essential to first help a person understand that fears and worries are nothing uncommon and can be dealt with?

And that’s exactly it. Somewhere in the depths, the mind always knows, but the important thing is whether we are aware of it. We do a lot of things automatically. In fact, free will in decision-making is rather a myth. We are drawn by desires, ego, fear… Deciding that we do not want something may be in beautiful harmony with our inner self, but the ego still has tremendous power. It says: “You should buy that site because you have to save those people. You have to make sure they have a happy life, a mortgage, and so on. If not, you fail. You suck.” And around goes the carousel, where the ego takes control. It’s good to be able to consciously stop and think whether the reason by which the ego convinces me is really what truly satisfies me.

Can training in sincerity to oneself be among the basic techniques of how to take better care ourselves? Will it help us to better understand what is bothering us?

TThat’s easy to say, but harder to do. It is good to look at it in such a way that we are often brought up in guilt and fear, so we think that when we make it clear what we want, this is bad. There are a number of techniques for working with the mind. First, I would like to start by realizing which situations during the day distract me, when my joy, well-being or peace is disturbed, and what causes it. We can then work with this knowledge.

It is often said in the media that we should persuade our minds that everything is fine, that we must accept everything that is happening and think positively. However, these techniques usually do not help much in the long run, because we actually force ourselves to feel something different than what really is. If I want to be authentic to myself – which is a wonderful state where we do not have to pretend and hide – I have to admit all the feelings inside me. I don’t have to tell anyone about them, but I’ll know they’re there. There may be guilt, fear or a sense of failure... Let me give you an example: if I express my opinion and someone doesn’t like it, it immediately means to many people that they are the bad guys. This is a lie that we learned during our upbringing, and it is precisely because of it that we are not authentic. Authenticity is often hidden behind the automatic reactions we developed in childhood. For example, we are afraid of conflict or that we would look bad in front of others.

What physical techniques should people use to maintain a balance between physical and mental well-being if they have already mastered the first part and learned to work with their internal problems?

From lessons in anatomy and movement control, we know which muscles should be involved in which body functions: helping to keep the spine straight, stabilizing the lumbar spine, hips, shoulders and other parts of the body. I show patients the exercises to make all this work well in my examination room or in an online course. It is based on how our brain works, which controls these muscles. If we exclude the mental component, it is actually like assembling Lego pieces – everything fits together beautifully and works smoothly. The problem arises when emotions enter the control. These can disrupt balance and efficiency, which is the main problem we ultimately face in pain management.

In the context of where we find ourselves in a large administrative complex: How can people working in monotonous sedentary positions minimize the negative effects of this activity on body and soul? What could they do during the working day to feel better?

One thing, simple and useful: take a short walk – either up the stairs or outdoors. Another important thing is not to let the thoracic spine stiffen – to breathe properly. This significantly reduces pain in the lumbar spine and neck. And the third thing, very important, is the psychological component – the perception of emotions. If we feel stress, fear or a sense of failure, it is clear that it also affects our spine. Feelings can really cause the muscles to not work properly under this pressure, leading to body tension and pain.

What factors in the work environment most often negatively affect the mental well-being of employees? What is the main factor that makes them uncomfortable there? Is it the other people, the managers, or an uncomfortable desk or furniture?

I would say the people. It’s good to start by saying that if I’m feeling at ease inside, I have a natural tendency to spread this well-being to others. This approach is quite beneficial and certainly appreciated by other employees. But if I’m not okay myself, it’s important to realize it first and then deal with it. For example, if as a manager, I’m constantly pushing numbers, which can be stressful for employees, I should have someone alongside me who, conversely, perceives their needs. Employees appreciate being treated as people with personal lives, issues and wishes. When things are done with genuine interest and a human touch, it always has a positive impact on the team and the work environment.

What is the biggest mistake managers make? Is it a lack of support and empathy for employees?

The way I see it, if someone doesn’t know something, it’s not actually a mistake, but rather an opportunity to grow. It’s about realizing what’s important to us and what we feel good about. If we don’t know certain things yet, it’s not a problem – it’s just a matter of how we deal with it and how much work we put into it to learn it. If we already know it, we perceive what is important both for the human side and for the business. When these aspects come together, the result can be fantastic. Talking about mistakes in our world is not always necessary, because, as they say, everything is neutral – it only depends on how I perceive it myself.

Do you think managers have enough self-reflection to realize that by improving their work and approach, they can positively influence the working life of their subordinates and support them? Do you feel that they are able to recognize where their own room for improvement is and how to move forward in their management skills?

That would be very nice. (laughs) I’d probably use myself as an example once gain. I always try to approach life with gratitude and humility for everything that was given to me and that I could learn, but I do not rely on being right every time or knowing just how everything works. My wife and I have five children, so difficult moments are a normal part of our lives, and in these moments, I often realize that even my mind is not always at peace. But I always wonder why this particular issue has made me feel uncomfortable. I find answers. I question my view of things and ask if it is really right. After all, can’t we look at life situations differently? I believe that managers in companies should approach this in the same way. This work on oneself is the basis for well-being in life.

What should a company stay focused on to ensure a quality working environment that fosters the mental and physical health of employees?

When I conduct training in such large companies, often for ČEZ, T-Mobile and others, I talk about two parts of this desired well-being. The first is the practical part – we demonstrate it through exercise, where participants can learn how to properly take care of their body. Just for the record, these are not the same types of exercise as those commonly recommended in fitness centers. The second part of the training focuses on the approach to oneself. Learning to be friendly and kind to each other, rather than just focusing on performance, reproach, demands, and criticism, can contribute to positive change throughout the work environment. Everyone begins to pay more attention to their own mood and well-being, which gradually changes the atmosphere throughout the company.

Do you also deal with burnout?

The level of being able to react to the things we encounter differs among all of us; some people are rather limited in this capability. I use this metaphor: when we are born, our jug of emotions is empty and gradually filled with what we experience – and negative emotions and experiences deprive us of the joy of life. It is very important to watch how our jug fills up. If it is filled to the brim with negativity, it can lead to problems such as burnout, self-rejection, psychiatric diagnoses and the like. It is therefore crucial to return to ourselves and evaluate how we lived, what we emphasized, what was important to us and why we reached the imaginary bottom.

Is it at all desirable to want to constantly improve and increase one’s performance in the work process, or is it sometimes better to leave things as they are if it gets to be too much? Even at the cost of any losses?

I tell myself and the patients that it is very useful to devote at least 10 minutes to self-awareness every day. You can take this time to realize what is not working in you and vice-versa, what you are strong at. There should be a desirable balance between these two poles. There is no need to stress unnecessarily because you are not good at Chinese, even if you would like to be better at it. On the other hand, basking in my own glow just because I am a doctor won’t get me by...

It is important that we are able to speak sincerely and openly, even in relationships – at work, at home, with children or parents. We should learn to identify the reasons why something is not working and admit it, like if my wife tells me that she’s in over her head, while her frustration is just ticking me off, I should actually take a good look at myself and figure out ways to improve the situation. Much can be done for your own well-being and that of your family.

Do you think that lack of sleep, which is often the result of performance pressure, can significantly affect health and mental well-being?

I can now judge for myself, because we have a beautiful little girl a year and a half old who enjoys life by dragging books into our bed at half past eleven at night wanting to read. (laughs) Of course, I am completely exhausted and for the first time in my life, I am experiencing what it means to sleep little and to go to bed late, which I could not have imagined until then. On the other hand, I try to approach it flexibly and not cling to what I needed before, but simply don’t have now. Clinging to old needs and habits is something that is definitely worth working on.

I tell myself that there is no need to be a hero at all costs and that I can take a nap during the day when I can. By this however I do not mean that it is right to be content with five hours of sleep, nor that sleep solves all problems. When thinking how I advise my patients to get a good night’s sleep and spend a decent amount of time outside, I already know that it can help them maintain a certain regimen, but it will not help solve deeper problems in and of itself. It is important to pay attention to what really matters and look for ways to work with it in personal and professional life. And this is the relationship towards ourselves and thus the relationship towards what surrounds us.

Which topics in employee training courses are companies most interested in? What do you focus on most in companies and what is the most interesting for them?

One part is health – individual physiotherapy. The second is the exercise part, where we learn targeted exercises for the spine and various parts of the body. The third part includes psychosomatics, which deals with how a person can become aware of themselves and manage things that rob them of their peace. And the fourth part is individual coaching, which focuses on helping and shifting in specific areas where people need support or a little change.

Do you see an increasing interest in online courses? How does that actually work?

Our courses are set up to be enjoyable and accessible. In the video, I’ll give you an introduction and a homework assignment, and then we have an online meeting where everyone can either talk or just listen. Thanks to this community, people often find that experiencing something negative or sad is actually quite normal. This is important: when someone is in pain and feels like they are worthless, they are not alone – sometimes everyone experiences it. For this reason, we organized a psychosomatic congress in the spring of 2024, which was attended by 33,000 listeners. Their responses to the questionnaires made it clear that people crave inner strength, self-confidence and certainty.

Theoretically, there is often talk about how to live well, but rarely do you read that you need a strong and loving inner motive to do so. You becoming balanced and satisfied won’t just suddenly happen out of nowhere. I tell people that it is normal to have negative thoughts and feelings in personal and professional life. Try to take them in stride, and then you can use various techniques to help change how you view yourself and the situations that you encounter.

Can you share with us any specific story of a patient you helped?

I have a broad range of such stories. For example, just yesterday, a lady told me how truly happy she was that thanks to our courses, she would finally know how to express her opinion – to her husband, to her parents… And she is now 50 years old. Another person at an online meeting said that his lower back had been hurting for years. When he was able to express how much he was hurt by his upbringing and how he felt here in this world, when he learned to talk about it with his wife, who listened to him attentively, his back pain completely subsided.

In my examination room, I see that body pains go away more or less easily. Instead of the standard exercises taught anywhere, by just focusing on the more specialized ones, the change comes almost immediately. I feel bad for these people for not coming here earlier, but rather spent a year and a half going somewhere with little to no results. I also find that allowing my patients to just be themselves is very relieving for them.

Another case was a lady who came to me all unhappy with problems with her hip and back. We practiced some exercises for a while, but most of all we talked. I guided her to maybe change the way she thought about what had happened to her in life. After three days, she wrote to me that she was playing golf, her back did not hurt after years and she was so relaxed that she played absolutely great. People can really calm down and relax when they wants to work on themselves.

Change is also easily seen in our behavior towards children – suddenly we do not yell and pressure them, we can listen, not judge and not just demand them to perform. Of course, change is easier said than done in this everyday rush, but once people “reach” for it and feel that they are better, they’ll understand that psychosomatics really work. Just look at yourself and reach into yourself a bit. Maybe it’s a little uncomfortable, maybe you’re a little afraid of it. But if you can do it, you can see that nothing bad actually happened. Quite the opposite.

Do you see your charisma and personal charm as an important part of your successes, or would anyone with your knowledge be able to do similar work?

With all due humility, I have to say that I think my human approach is quite unique. By accepting a person, by letting a bad word slip here and there, by trying not to be too strict and medical all the time, and sometimes even by making fun of it all. For instance, I may tell you that things that someone else explains to you as terribly serious might not actually be so dramatic – to take it that your computer-body simply doesn’t know how to process it just yet, but that we will teach it here without you needing to feel stressed one bit.

That’s a whole other topic. I quite often encounter the fact that some medical specialist, out of wanting to be taken seriously, says something grim that immediately scares the patients: “Well, it may even happen that you become paralyzed.” I tell people: “You know, here are the facts, but when we change things, it will all become reprogrammed and reset.” And they ask: “So it could be fixed, huh?” And I say: “This is quite common.” I think empowering people to embrace change is essential.

In your opinion, what is the current state of society in the Czech Republic in the context of mental and physical health and what have we talked about?

Someone who has lived quite a while abroad will probably have a different view on this, they will see our society as less mature in mutual relations, less responsible and also less relaxed. I, who have been here all my life, look at the world in a nutshell like this. I take the negative things as an integral part of the positive ones, I just try not to let them grow to such an extent that they would start to squeeze me. My view and recipe for a good life is to take care that we perceive situations differently than just as burdens. It is fundamental.

I don’t want to go into any sociological evaluations. Of course, I perceive that relationships are not ideal, divorce rates are high and parents often do not have inner peace, respect and love, so they cannot pass these things on... But the main idea is that each of us should realize that we also can do our part in making things somehow better here.

Thanks for the interview.