CINDY MEYERS INTRODUCTION: A few weeks ago my client Missy stopped in with exciting news! She had not been into Pain Free since February and she wanted to let us know that she was able to run for the first time in five and a half years! Considering her physical condition at our first session, this was quite amazing news. Missy had knee re-construction surgery in her twenties that left her with a very unstable knee. She had back pain that radiated down her left leg and also suffered from right elbow tendonitis. Analyzing Missy’s posture revealed that her left leg was bowed, her right leg turned in, her head forward with rounded shoulders and her pelvis uneven. In her sessions, we worked to correct the underlying muscle imbalances that created the misalignment of her bones and her poor posture! Here is what Missy has to say about getting her body back into balance:
Missy’s Story
Four years ago, at the age of 45 I was not able to tour Montpelier without my back aching during the one hour tour. I could not stand still without bending and sitting during the lectures. Two and a half years ago I could not walk my dog for thirty minutes on a trail in the woods without causing a backache that would last for days. I had knee reconstruction twenty seven years ago and reinjured the knee several times over the years. This caused knee instability, a bowed left leg, and backaches. I was advised by an orthopedist to walk only for necessity, no hiking, touring, dog walks. He stated the arthritis in my knee was too far along. I was also suffering from reoccurring carpal tunnel symptoms three years after having the “release” surgery, and tendonitis in my elbow from knitting. I was only 45, in very good health otherwise, slim, active, medicine free.
In preparation for a family trip to Bali, I started physical training with Pain Free. I was concerned about the twenty four hour plane ride, because four hour car rides to Raleigh, NC caused me back pain. I also wanted to participate in a seven hour volcano hike while in Bali. I worked for several sessions with Cindy before my trip to Bali, and completed my menus daily at home. The trip was a success. I did not need any pain medication to get through the two plane trips or volcano hike!!! The carpal tunnel was also gone as well as the tendonitis.
Eighteen months went by without my continuing the exercises. I woke up one day and my reconstructed knee was completely out of alignment. I could not walk. I had to hop. After a few exercises with Mackie, my knee was realigned and I could walk out of Pain Free. Another family trip was on the horizon, this time seven days of waking around Rome. Again I was unable to even walk the dog. I started with Mackie this time and spent seven sessions working on strengthening my posture so that my knee would not fall out of alignment while asleep in Rome. Rome was a success-no backaches, no knee pain, no pain meds, and no swollen knee. This time I have continued daily with my various exercise menus and have had no reoccurrence of the problems.
I ran for the first time in five and a half years this fall. Before that, I was not able to take a running step without my knee collapsing. However, without thinking one day, I ran to catch up with a group of friends. My family and I are amazed!!! It is all the good professional work of the folks at Pain Free. My family and I are 100% convinced that without Pain Free, these trips would not have been possible for me. My knee is so misshapen now that, while only 50, I am a candidate for knee replacement surgery. But, with the daily practice of my Egoscue exercises and professional help of the folks at Pain Free, I have been able to resume an active life with my family without knee surgery.
Thank you thank you thank you!
Missy D.
