Senior physiotherapist Michael Armstrong is more than happy to be one of the poster boys for Onhealth after passing a significant milestone.

Michael joined On Medical in 2009 and has seen plenty of change as it moved to new premises and more recently launched Onhealth, a bariatric service designed to help tackle obesity in the region.

Taking a holistic approach to weight loss, Onhealth focuses on scientific testing so their team can gain an in-depth understanding of the client before tailoring their approach through personal training sessions, meetings with dietitians, as well as appointments with a mind coach to support the weight loss journey. Armstrong has been at the forefront of it, including the media campaign.

“I am a bit big-headed,” he joked.

“As soon as someone said ‘do you want to be on TV or do you want to be in the paper?’ I said yeah OK!

“My official title is lead physiotherapist for it, so I have been involved from the start with Ian Scanlan, Cheryl Dixon and Sophie Hartley. I have designed the physio side of things, I’ve written the assessment, I have designed the exercise sessions, and collaborated with Ian and Cheryl on how the whole programme is going to look. It is very exciting to be a part of.”

A decade after starting, he admitted to being surprised at how his personal career has gone but equally delighted to still be at Saxon House.

“I worked in semi-pro football for a few months when I first qualified and this was my first full-time job after qualifying,” he said.

“I thought it would be a start for a few years and I would move on somewhere else. I have learned loads being here and that is one thing that has kept me here. Another reason is the people; I do get on with the rest of the staff, they’re canny.”