Your Spine Called. It Wants You to See This Guy in Jeżyce. Interview with Dominik Czarnecki

If you live in Jeżyce, chances are you’ve walked past Fizjo Familia on Dąbrowskiego 7, just by Most Teatralny.

At the center of it all? Physio Dominik Czarnecki — physiotherapist, PhD candidate, osteopath, and low-key Poznań legend. We dropped by for a “quick chat,” which turned into a couple of hours of laughs, spine talk, and stories that’ll make you stretch your back just reading them.

So Dominik, what’s the wildest injury someone’s ever walked in with?
Oh, that one’s easy. A woman came in saying she had back pain and was “pooping herself all the time.” I told her she might need a doctor, not a physio. Turns out… she had a tumor. We stayed in touch, and later she came back to me for rehab after her treatment.

Do people ever show up already “diagnosed” by Dr. Google?
All. The. Time. (laughs) Everyone’s an expert these days. Google says it’s sciatica, ChatGPT says it’s your posture, and I say — let’s actually check! Honestly though, tech helps, but nothing beats the human element.

What about people turning up in totally wrong clothes for physio?
(laughs) Oh yeah. High heels, tight jeans, full office outfits. You name it.
PD: High heels? To physio?
Dominik: Happens more often than you’d think. And yes, I can tell if someone wears them a lot — their foot shape and pelvis don’t lie.

Which body part do you treat the most?
Definitely the spine and TMJ — that’s the jaw joint. People don’t realize how connected it all is. Your jaw, your neck, your back — it’s one big team effort.

When did you know physio was your thing?
I first wanted to be a doctor, but I realized medicine isn’t always the answer. A healthy lifestyle is. So I became an osteopath — it’s like being a detective for the body, finding the root cause, not just fixing symptoms.

What taught you the most — textbooks, patients, or mistakes?
Honestly? Specialized courses and other physios. University gives you basics, but real knowledge comes from experience and conversations with people in the field.

What makes your studio different?
We work as a team. Every client’s case gets discussed together, so you’re not just getting me — you’re getting all of us. It’s like Avengers, but with foam rollers.

What’s harder — treating elite athletes or convincing regular people to fix their posture?
Everyday folks, for sure. Athletes know their bodies and put in the work. Most people just sit all day, then wonder why their spine’s angry. Move more — it’s that simple.

Speaking of movement — how often do you work out?
Every day, 15–20 minutes. Stretching, mobility, a few core exercises. Nothing fancy. It’s consistency that counts.

Can you tell instantly if someone won’t stick to their recovery plan?
(laughs) Oh yes. By the third visit, I know. If they’re not following the plan, I usually let them go.

So it’s not about taking their money every week?
Never was. If it were about money, I’d have chosen a different job.

Okay, but what if someone lazy offered you 5000 PLN per session?
(laughs) I’ll let you know when that happens!

You’re a good-looking guy — any clients ever flirted with you?
(grinning) Sometimes. I just change the subject. Quickly.

You also spend summers treating patients by the sea in Jurata. Work or holiday?
Both! I treat patients in the morning and get some beach time later. Perfect combo.

What did little Dominik want to be when he grew up?
A medical doctor in the army. Guess I ended up helping people anyway — just with less camouflage.