Backstage Essential

NZ-born osteopath to the stars Garry Trainer has released a new book, Back Chat, with health writer Tania Alexander. Back Chat examines 40 individual case studies of back pain, identifying common causes and offering  advice on how best to avoid them. Regarded as a pioneer in his field, Trainer has worked in the UK for the past 25 years and runs a successful clinic in London’s Primrose Hill. His clients, past and present, include Brad Pitt, Paul and Linda McCartney, George Michael, Emma Thompson and Paul Simon. Despite his star clientele, Trainer remains grounded by his patients’ common physiology. “It doesn’t matter if you’re black, white or green, how rich you are or how poor you are. We have all got the same muscles and nerves and the same discs. Anyone that moves is prone to back pain”, he said in a recent interview with NZ’s Sunday Star Times. Trainer’s next high-profile job is working on the film version of ABBA musical Mama Mia, starring Pierce Brosnan and Meryl Streep.