LIVE PAIN FREE

I have shoulder pain.....Why are you working on my hips???

2012-01-26T17:05:00.000-05:00

When a client comes into Pain Free for an Egoscue session, the therapist will look at the position of the bones. We evaluate:

1. head position
2. neck position
3. shoulder position
4. hip position
5. leg position
6. foot position

Why does this matter?

You can have back pain that comes from a misalignment somewhere else in the body. You can have shoulder pain that comes from hips that are misaligned. You can have neck pain that comes from your back being flexed forward. You can have any number of combinations of imbalances causing pain somewhere else in your body. The point is, focusing on the area of pain will help treat the symptom but it will not treat the real problem.

I have a client who has right shoulder pain. He exercises all the time. He bikes, runs, swims and lifts weights. He is really fit, however on examination, his head is forward, his shoulders are rounded, his hips are tight, his legs and feet turn outward.

If he had come to see me several years ago when I was working in physical therapy, I would have treated the heck out of his shoulder --therapeutic massage, electrical stim, ultra sound,etc.-----and when he left my clinic, he'd have felt better -- until the next day or the next week or month when the pain returned. I treated the symptom without addressing the cause of the symptom.

Today, evaluating my client using the Egoscue method, I know that the posterior tilt in his pelvis is driving his back into flexed position which is causing his shoulders to round forward. Every time he lifts his arm he has muscles that are already being pulled , then they pull even more and his shoulder joint does not line up causing uneven wear in the joint - which causes the pain. To correct his shoulder problem ... I have to get his hips to line up and then get the flexion out of his back.

So when a client asks why are you working on my hips when my shoulder hurts???? The answer.... It's all connected!

New Years Resolution

2012-01-23T14:59:00.000-05:00

So..... it's almost February and most of us have decided we should eat right and exercise more now that the holiday binge season is over! That is all well and good - but be cautious.

If you go to the gym and are weight training a body that is out of alignment then you are setting yourself up for an injury. How, you ask? Well ... if a body has muscle imbalances then some muscles are working harder than they were designed to and other muscles are not working hard enough. When you go to use the weights, the stronger muscles will do more work than the weaker ones and in the long run you end up strengthening the dysfunction. The result will be back pain, neck and shoulder pain or a million other pains that you were really working to avoid! While weight training has many benefits...you need to GET STRAIGHT ... THEN STRENGTHEN.

The best way to do this is to have an evaluation by one of our Egoscue therapists. Let us determine where and why the imbalances are in your body, correct them so that you can go to the gym and exercise a functional body - pain free! The Egoscue Method works..... we are offering free screens this month. Call us to get scheduled. 434-296-0600

NECK AND SHOULDER PAIN RELIEF!!!

2012-01-04T11:30:00.000-05:00

Is your neck and shoulder pain becoming debilitating? Perhaps you are constantly twisting your your head side to side, shrugging your shoulders, trying to find a neutral position to take you out of pain. Maybe you try to stand up straighter, you get your spouse to rub your shoulders at the end of a long day, you take an Advil (or three), and it all helps - for a little while. The next morning you have the same pain and you start all over again. You wonder what you "did" that made you hurt. Did you lift something too heavy, twist a funny way, reach for something, or was it sitting hunched over at your desk all day? Most likely, even if one of these scenarios brought on your current discomfort, the real answer is found in one word: balance, or in this case, imbalance! Not the kind that the gymnast shows while traversing a balance beam, but the balance in your musculo-skeletal system, the alignment of your body.

How do you restore balance to your body and relieve your pain? The Egoscue Method. Pete Egoscue developed this method as a result of pain he suffered with after serving our country in Vietnam. He was unable to find anything but temporary relief through typical channels; doctor visits, medication, traditional hands-on symptom based treatments. Sound familiar?

Egoscue began thinking about the actual cause of his pain and determined that if the body is aligned properly, it becomes pain free. He also created this method to be a self-treatment approach -- empowering all of us to keep our bodies in optimal alignment and function!

So, what is the Egoscue Method? It is a series of positions, stretches and strengthening exercises that help reposition and realign your musculo-skeletal system. This allows the load-bearing joints to line up along the line of gravity. After a thorough evaluation by a trained Egoscue Certified therapist you are prescribed personalized programs for your body issues. You actually train your body to rest in vertical alignment. So, like breathing, you don't have to think about standing up straight or moving a certain way -- you just do! As your body becomes aligned, your pain subsides.

If you'd like to learn more, give us a call at 434-296-0600! We even have free screening appointments available if you'd like to see our studio space, meet us and learn more about Egoscue!

In Good Health,

Cindy Meyers

TREATMENT FOR BACK PAIN

2012-01-03T13:05:00.001-05:00

If you have suffered through a severe back spasm you know just how excruciating back pain can be! Treatment for back pain usually takes you to the doctor to get muscle relaxers, anti-inflammatory medications and perhaps a referral for physical therapy, massage or chiropractic. I know..... I spent years in physical therapy treating patients with back pain using hands-on techniques, exercises and other treatments. Don't get me wrong... I am not against taking appropriate medication or having hands-on work directly on your symptom. The problem with that approach is that you never correct the actual underlying cause of the back pain. The real cause of back pain; neck and shoulder pain; hip pain or most muscle pain is musculoskeletal imbalance in the body.

Our muscles are designed to do a certain job. When muscles are out of balance, some muscles are working too hard (causing them to get over-developed, tight and painful) and other muscles get weak. These imbalances can pull our bones out of alignment and cause wear and tear on our joints. So what is the best treatment for back pain, neck and shoulder pain; hip pain or any muscle pain? The Egoscue Method!

The Egoscue Method focuses on muscle imbalance. Sometimes where you hurt isn't why you hurt. Let me give you one example (out of 100's of possibilities) of how misaligned hips can cause back pain! Let's say you sit all day at the computer. This causes the hip muscles to shorten and get tight. These hip flexor muscles are now pulling the pelvis into a tipped forward position. Now, every time you get up and walk, the changed pelvic position causes the muscles of the buttocks and the back of the thighs to become weaker, creating imbalance. This imbalance pulls the low back into a swayed position, the leg bones and feet are pulled outward and the upper back will eventually round forward pulling the head and shoulders along with it. The result? Back pain!

The good news is you can bring your body back into balance by doing corrective exercises that will allow your injuries to heal. The key to the Egoscue Method begins with a thorough evaluation of your body. By examining photos, looking at the way you move and function, we can determine which muscles are too tight and which ones are too weak. This gives us the information about your body to design corrective exercises to restore your body to proper alignment. The result? Improved function, and NO PAIN!

What a better way to start your New Year than being Pain Free!

In Good Health,

Cindy Meyers

P.S. --Give me a call @ 434-296-0600 and learn more about how we can help you

Meet Kat Drageo

2011-12-21T14:22:00.000-05:00

December 21
Early morning, no one else awake... and visions of sugarplums ricochet in my head...... how do I make everything happen AGAIN this year? Unable to face the complexity of the next three days, I focus on how I will fit exercise into my schedule today. At 53 this has become a non-negotiable.... some sweat and some Egoscue are daily essentials. I'd love to get to a class at the gym, but a 20 minute In-The-Basement-Workout is more likely what will develop.

Good enough.

Fitness passion came upon me thirty years ago, after the birth of my first child. Once baby daughter was tucked into her crib (with the indispensable Hug-A-Bear) I would gratefully head out for an hour of good old aerobics. Slippery Keds on the linoleum of an elementary school cafeteria.

Since then I have had the deep pleasure of immersing myself in the world of fitness, deepening my knowledge and developing a career in group exercise, personal training and (la piece de la resistance) Egoscue therapy. This January I will be bringing my love for and experience with these different dimensions of fitness to Pain Free Performance with special week-end classes. Check back with the blog next week for specific details about these week-end opportunities: Primitive Patterns, Week-End Workout, and Home Gym.

I'd like to know what kinds of workouts you have loved, valiantly endured or wished you could find. Please feel free to add your perspectives and experiences on the blog!

Talk to you soon.

Kat

Mackie is Egoscue's SPOTLIGHT of the month!

2011-12-13T15:38:00.000-05:00

Would you like to be featured in Student Spotlight? Contact the University. [ View Archive ]

Mackie Boblette

Having studied and worked for many years in dance and theatre, yoga, Laban Movement Analysis, Pilates and massage, when I discovered Pete's book Egoscue Method of Health Through Motion, I was delighted and intrigued. Finally, a straight forward book about health through movement. My intrigue took me to San Diego to learn more about the method and so began an amazing journey that continues today.

I had the great fortune of beginning to learn the Method firsthand through on-the-job training at the San Diego clinic which at that time was the only clinic. Pete soon published his book Pain Free and word started to spread, friend to friend, family to family. We then began monthly travel trips to several cities to attempt to stay as close as possible to our clients. Realizing we could not reach everyone, Egoscue University was formed to teach all who were interested in the Method and enlist them to help empower their clients, friends and families to take ownership of their health and healing.

For the last eighteen years I have had the honor, privilege and blessing to be a part of this amazing and wonderful process of growing a world-wide Egoscue community that enlivens and empowers our fellow man to live life without limitation. There have been challenges and trials of all sorts, but more importantly there has been a truly phenomenal amount of joy and laughter, learning and growth and love and trust as clients became friends and even family. What an inspiration to be able to witness and experience this kind of heartfelt connection between people.

Growth requires willingness to change and my newest path leads me back to the land of my grandfathers where I work with a wonderful team of Egoscue affiliates at Pain Free Performance in Charlottesville, Virginia. I am excited to share my experiences with my colleagues and this new community as each encounter with clients brings an opportunity to continue learning and sharing more about the impact of posture on our well being.

Pain Free Performance Testimonial from Andrew Boninti

2011-11-22T21:07:00.001-05:00

Here is the link for our latest testimonial and recent local commercial... Enjoy!

WELLNESS RETREAT ...A GREAT SUCCESS !

2011-11-03T14:50:00.000-04:00

A huge THANK YOU to all of the participants and practitioners that joined us at Montfair Resort Farm for a day of WELLNESS!

It never ceases to amaze us how many gifted practitioners we have working in Charlottesville and the surrounding areas.

Our day started with an Egoscue class to bring our bodies into proper alignment. This was followed by a Restorative Yoga session. After we were aligned and stretched, various gifted practitioners shared information about their specific treatment techniques. These included Acupuncture, Chiropractic Care, Craniosacral Therapy, Tai Massage, Structural Integration, Acupressure and MELT (myofascial elongation).

We enjoyed a healthy lunch followed by some time to visit and enjoy the beauty of the surroundings.
The picture above is from our experience of Tai Chi in the great outdoors. We followed this with a session on self hypnosis. After everyone was aligned, stretched, fed and filled with the peace of meditation, we had the opportunity to experience a variety of hands on work.

An incredible day!

CINDY GETS MELT CERTIFIED

2011-10-17T16:25:00.003-04:00

What is M.E.L.T ??
Six years ago everyone was asking......

"What is Egoscue"?? Well.... Here I go again....

In my quest for understanding all that I can to empower my clients with tools that will offer them the best care possible, I discovered a method called MELT. This stands for Myofascial Energetic Length Technique. This technique involves the connective tissue in our body.

What exactly is connective tissue?

If you ever pulled the skin off of a piece of chicken before you cooked it, you will see a thin, white sheath...that is connective tissue. And as our manager so kindly pointed out... vegetarians can think of peeling an orange and seeing the protective coating over the fruit as the connective tissue. Connective tissue covers every cell, nerve, muscle, bone and organ in our bodies.

When the connective tissue becomes dehydrated, it loses its buoyancy and can no longer do its job to support and protect our muscles and joints. In addition, the nervous system becomes over-stressed and the tissues cannot act as a communication network. That leaves you with tissue that is now bound down to the muscles and a nervous system that stays in a state of "dis-ease" (meaning the body can't rest). When you go to move, the muscles still move but the connective tissue is pulled causing that stiff/painful feeling.

When you MELT you push fluid back into the tissue and your proprioception (how your body senses its enviornment) improves. At PAIN FREE PEFORMANCE, we are combining MELT with Egoscue to enhance the body's ability to RESTORE POSTURE.... CREATE BALANCE....LIVE PAIN FREE!

We are offering a MELT class on Wednesdays at noon... come try it out. If you want to learn more feel free to call me at 434-296-0600

WELCOME MACKIE

2011-10-03T15:39:00.003-04:00

Mackie Boblette joined Pain Free Performance in July 2011. He was trained 17 years ago by Pete Egoscue and worked at the main Egsocue headquarters for 15 years before running the Egoscue Franchise in Chicago. If you are considering the Egoscue Method for the first time or have been using the method for years, you will benefit from Mackie's insights and depth of experience.

2011-09-19T10:26:00.003-04:00

WELLNESS RETREAT DAY

Saturday, October 22, 2011

MONTFAIR RESORT FARM- CROZET, VIRGINIA

Please join us in an awesome opportunity to experience WELLNESS! We all know that it takes more than trying to eat healthy and tossing in a little exercise….WELLNESS is a combination of body, mind and spirit. We are so fortunate in this community to have so many experienced practitioners who are passionate about improving our health and wellness. We are joining together to create an experience you will never forget! Energize your body, mind and spirit while you enjoy a fun-filled day surrounded by panoramic mountain views.

9:00 am We will begin with an EGOSCUE exercise class: a gentle yet powerful way to restore muscle balance throughout the body, improve alignment and posture.

10:00 am RESTORATIVE YOGA will include graceful movement patterns to restore core strength and muscle balance.

11:00 am BODY WORK EDUCATION: Learn about various techniques including Massage, Schatz Technique, Structural Integration, Rolfing, Cranio-sacral therapy, Zero-balancing, Chiropractic Care, Muscle Elongation Therapy (MELT), Acupuncture, Acupressure, Cranio-Sacral therapy, Reflexology.

12:00 noon HEALTHY COOKING DEMO and lunch provided by an experienced nutritionist!

2:00 pm TAI CHI: an introduction to the martial arts characterized by soft, flowing movements of the torso and arms coordinated with weight shifts and balance.

3:00 pm MEDITATION: learn the benefits of self hypnosis and meditation

4:00- 5:30 pm BODY WORK EXPERIENCE : Sample “hands on” work for your body with the

techniques noted above.

5:30 Wine Tasting at White Hall Vineyards for those who would like to join!

COST: $75 (includes lunch) RSVP: PAIN FREE PERFORMANCE: 434-296-0600

Space is limited email: painfree@painfreeperformance.org

Pain Free Performance adds Kat Draego to the staff

2010-11-23T09:48:00.001-05:00

"the tower"

2010-11-19T08:33:00.002-05:00

The Supine Groin Exercise often uses a piece of equipment called "the tower". This particular exercise creates powerful changes throughout the body. It will help restore your alignment and help to retrain your gait pattern.

here's a helpful video that further explains what the tower is and how it works!

http://www.youtube.com/egoscuesd#p/a/u/2/zBSeycBZ9V8

e-cise of the day!

2010-10-07T08:35:00.004-04:00

This e-cise is almost everyone's favorite. it's simple and is called Static Back:

Find your favorite couch or ottoman, and put your legs up so that the hips and knees are at 90 degrees.
Notice where the back of your head contacts the floor, take note if your shoulders are resting comfortably on the floor or are they rounded forward. Is your low back touching the floor? After about 5 min., notice if anything feels different........ This exercise begins the realignment of the shoulder girdle with the pelvis.

Kean

2010-09-28T11:53:00.002-04:00

This post is neither Pain Free nor Egoscue related.

We would simply like to share a photo with you that made us feel proud, touched and honored.

This is one of our clients. His name is Kean. Each time Kean comes into the office, he brings us gifts. Be it flowers, fresh apple cider or even jelly beans, Kean's gifts are reflective of his big ole heart. Kean is holding a photo of his son, also named Kean, who is serving our country overseas. We would like to honor both Keans for serving us as individuals and as a country.

Both of these men enrich and inspire our lives.

Gumby does Egoscue

2010-09-23T11:39:00.001-04:00

As you can see, Gumby did static back this morning:

He also practiced his assisted hip lifts:

We have fun here at Pain Free Performance. You should come visit!

Why do so many suffer from back pain???

2010-09-23T09:14:00.002-04:00

Here is an article from Egoscue.com on how our backs work, and how we can ease our bodies into a more natural (and less painful) posture while still being productive:

Lower Back Pain Relief

The symptoms of back pain can vary from low grade aches to full blown back spasms. The urgency to solve the back pain consumes your life and drastic treatment procedures are pursued without a second thought. Anyone who has suffered through a severe back spasm knows how excruciating it really is. These spasms are so intense it seems this kind of pain is in a class of its own.

This type of pain is so unbearable that it has been known to prevent people from being able to think straight. One of the best ways to treat back pain is to stop it before it happens and when it does happen, find a way to break the spasm before it accelerates to full blown. The best way to prevent back pain without drugs, surgery or manipulation is knowing the correct way to exercise and function in every day life.

When you know what the cause of your pain is, only then will you have the ability to know how to prevent it. Keeping your body healthy and flexible is key, it’s all about knowing how to take care of yourself. Proper nutrition helps in the flexibility of muscles and allows them to heal faster should they get pulled or torn. Also, certain stretching techniques and having proper posture while exercising is essential to preventing back spasms and residual pain.

For those who suffer from degenerative disc disease, spondylolisthesis, spinal fusions or scoliosis embody the symptoms of a chronic condition. Sufferers can help their conditions by focusing attention on the muscles involved in stabilizing the body’s skeleton. These very important muscles should be kept strong, flexible and balanced in all movements.

The spinal column is composed of 33 individual vertebrae, stacked one on top of one another, and threaded with the spinal cord. The spine can be looked at as the drive shaft as its unique shape allows the body to pull off extraordinary balancing acts on a daily basis. However, the muscles are also essential, not only to retain the spine’s shape but to hold it erect. Conversely, inactive, atrophied, and compensating muscles alter the lumbar, thoracic, and cervical spinal curves. Over time in the body’s improper movement and malnourished lifestyles, the magical S-Curve diminishes, taking with it the spine’s flexibility, load-bearing strength and shock-absorbing capacity.

Abandoned by the muscles, and losing the integrity of its curves, the spine is at the mercy of gravity. Rigidity sets in and the body does what it does best and protects itself by throwing the muscles into contraction. Eventually, the spine reaches its limits and it begins to stiffen the posture in a compromised flexion position. The result is chronic back pain; the cure is proper nutrition and knowing your body’s limits.

Don’t push yourself; if something’s too heavy than don’t lift it; if you feel yourself experiencing pain while sitting at your desk everyday, adjust your surroundings. Make sure your chair is properly positioned so your elbows are at a 90 degree angle on the desk and your eyes are parallel with the computer screen. These small gestures can go a long way in preventing future chronic back lower back pain.

this article is from http://www.egoscue.com/about/articles.php

Why You Need To Try The Egoscue Method

2010-09-21T13:56:00.001-04:00

This is Cindy Meyers, PAS Egoscue Certified therapist. I am still amazed at how this technique can change a person's life. You know the drill:

"I used to be a runner but now I bike."

"I used to be a biker but now I walk."

"I used to walk for exercise but now I swim."

The downward spiral is a slow process, but will hit you as you age if your body is out of alignment. When you restore balance to the body and everything articulates and works properly I instead hear,

"Wow!.... now I can run again!"

GETTING OLDER DOES NOT HAVE TO HURT!

Doing a simple menu of exercises designed to correct the dysfunctions in your body will keep moving for a lifetime.

What IS Egoscue?

2010-09-21T08:41:00.002-04:00

Understanding Egoscue Method Therapy

The Egoscue Method recognizes that fundamental anatomical, physiological and biomechanical principles govern the human musculoskeletal system. With only very rare exceptions, each person is born with certain core design characteristics that serve as a strong, resilient and efficient operational platform. By using a blueprint of this extraordinary platform as a guide, the goal of the Method is to eliminate disparities that can occur when injuries or negative lifestyle conditions affect the way the musculoskeletal system actually moves as opposed to its underlying structural parameters. By restoring muscular balance, skeletal alignment and the harmonious interplay of internal systems, the body takes a quantum leap in healing power, stamina and physical capability. The Egoscue Method is not a form of treatment that chases after short term, symptomatic relief. Rather, symptoms provide a common sense starting point, a working frame of reference based on each individual's unique combination of strengths and limitations. Our primary objective applies to everyone we seek to help—to eliminate musculoskeletal system disparities and the resulting postural dysfunctions that interfere with pain-free living.A key part of the "blueprint" we refer to is familiar to all health professionals—it is known as the standing normal anatomical position. Without being overly technical the hip, knee and ankle joints are aligned vertically in paired stacks, each of which is subdivided by three horizontal parallel planes that extend through the joint pairs, creating what amounts to a partial dynamic load-bearing grid. The grid’s structure is completed by the shoulder joints which are in a functional interactive relationship with the major joints below instead of being aligned vertically like the others, although they too (the shoulders) operate individually and as a pair on a fourth parallel horizontal plane.Topped by the head, placed over the S-curved central spine that links the hips and shoulders, the grid allows upright posture and bipedal motion capable of a great range of movement. In addition, there is only temporary incidental rotation in the pelvis, legs, knees and ankles. (Think of rotation this way: Looking straight down on your upright body from above, draw a imaginary clock face with your head in the center facing twelve o’clock. In design position a straight line runs from hip joint to hip joint starting at nine o’clock and extending through the other hip joint, exiting at three o’clock. In such a configuration, there is no rotation, but if the lines depart from nine and three, say ten and four, rotation is present as the hips move off the design plane. This analogy works for the other load-bearing joints and the big leg bones. It is not unusual to find left-to-right pelvis rotation and right-to-left shoulder rotation.) The body is intended to rotate by twisting and turning, ascending and descending, in reaction to variations in the terrain and other temporary situations and then return to vertical alignment. When it remains stuck in rotation the integrity of the structure can be compromised
As you probably have concluded by now, the load-bearing grid we have just described means that vertical and horizontal alignment is all-important to both the musculoskeletal system’s structural integrity, smooth functioning and full, pain-free capability.
An individual whose body deviates from this design must do so for a reason. That reason is, (in cases that do not reflect past injuries), a muscular imbalance in strength and/or flexibility. An individual’s standing, static posture provides essential information to our therapists in predicting what the body will do as it moves. These predictions can be confirmed and often reinforced by observing the patient’s gait, the way he or she strides forward, turns and executes other routine maneuvers. In the process, changes in muscle tension/length may be detected, along with atrophy of underutilized muscles or damage to over-used muscles that results when one group of muscles is repeatedly substituted for another that is more appropriate to the task. Such postural anomalies, we describe them in general as “dysfunctions,” directly impact joint mechanics.

from www.egoscue.com

Charlottesville Women's Four Miler

2010-09-07T11:04:00.002-04:00

This weekend marked Charlottesville's largest annual all-female event: The Women's Four Miler.

Here is a great article that we had circulating as all the women arrived on Friday night.

Enjoy!

Running should be PAIN FREE! More than 24 million people run in the United States alone, but 65% will have to stop at least once this year because of injury. Others will choose to run through the pain. Why the injuries? Why the pain...POOR POSTURE and POOR ALIGNMENT!

We know that muscles pull bones in order to move. When a body is imbalanced, some muscles are working overtime pulling the bone or joints out of alignment. Other muscles become weak because they are not able to work the way they were designed to. If you run with the body in poor alignment, stress or friction occurs in the joints and very often pain develops. Pain is the bodies warning signal that something is wrong!

At PAIN FREE PERFORMANCE, we believe that good posture is the cornerstone of proper running technique. When your postural alignment is correct, the body moves efficiently in much the same way that water will flow through a straight pipe more easily than a bent one. Running with your body out of alignment can create tension, fatigue, discomfort, and even PAIN.

The therapists at Pain Free Performance utilize the EGOSCUE METHOD to restore postural alignment. We do not focus on symptoms; instead, we look at the entire body and determine the SOURCE of your dysfunction. We take photos; analyze your gait and perform functional tests to determine which muscles are dysfunctional and which muscles are compensating for the improper alignment. An individual program is designed to include passive positions and gentle exercises which will unlock restrictions and guide the body back to optimal alignment and function. This program provides “tools” for you to take care of your body for a lifetime.

*Results of the Egoscue Method:

· 95% success rate

· Dramatically reduces your potential for injury

· Helps to make knee pain, foot pain or shin splints a thing of the past

· Helps make running any distance enjoyable whether you’re a beginning runner or seasoned competitor

Learn how it can help you abolish pain and restore your body to its proper design.

CALL PAIN FREE PEFORMANCE: 434-296-0600 or go to www.painfreeperformance.com

Client Spotlight - Betty Haas

2010-02-23T08:34:00.000-05:00

Client Spotlight - Betty Haas

In 2008, I heard about Pain Free Performance which was started by Susy Russell and Cindy Meyers, who I knew were in Physical Therapy. I had been to numerous spine specialists and to numerous alternative medicine practioners. The medications that were prescribed helped to a degree, but none had been bale to make me free of my severe sciatic pain or my very severe pain caused by Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD) also referred to as Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS). In effect, my caregivers were telling me that I would have to learn to manage and/or "live with" the pain. For me, managing the pain meant planning each day's activities carefully, so that I would not end up bed for a day or two --- literally writhing in pain. I decided to the Egoscue method a try. Each day, I faithfully do the ecises that Susy prescribes me; and I AM MORE THAN THRILLED WITH THE RESULTS. Before Egoscue, I would have to leave UVA football games at half-time because of unbearable sciatic and or RSD pain. Not anymore! For the past two years I have been able to stay and enjoy the games with minimal discomfort. At basketball games, because of the narrow space between the rows at the JPJ Arena, my pain would start up and my foot would swell since I could not stretch my leg out to a comfortable length. I wouldn't leave the game early, but by the time I go home I was a wreck and my next day would be spent in severe pain. Because Egoscue has helped me get my pain under control, that is all changed. I can once again enjoy the basketball games. I still can't stretch out my left leg, but the pain does'nt overwhelm me and I'm fine the next day. In fact, I still have some level of pain each day - but it is bearable. I have very few "down days" and I can't remember when I last spent a day in bed because of pain. Not to be trite, but, Egoscue and Susy have given me "a new lease on life."

Pain Free Wellness Center

2010-01-13T10:19:00.001-05:00

JoAnn Christy is a Registered Respiratory Therapist and has been a Certified Massage Therapist since 2000 after completing the Medical Massage Program at the Virginia School of Massage. JoAnn's practice encompasses both relaxation massage and therapeutic massage. She has also been trained as a Schatz Technique (tm) Practitioner and is the only person ever granted this title. After an intensive mentorship with Bernard Schatz, P.T., she and Bernard went into private practice for over 2 years. The Schatz Technique (tm) treats chronic pain issues and is the perfect adjunct to The Egoscue method. While Egoscue aims for realignment of the joints, The Schatz Technique (tm) works to soften painful areas of fibrotic tissues. JoAnn is also certified in pre and post natal massage as well as teaching parents how to massage their newborns.

JoAnn offers Swedish relaxation massage in one hour or 90 minute sessions and The Schatz Technique (tm) in 2 hour sessions.

JoAnn can be reached by email at Massage2Go@aol.com for more information on The Schatz Technique tm, please go to reverseyourpain.com To schedule an appointment, please call 434-295-2272 (h) or 434-882-0380 (c) Free phone consultations.

Christie Savage, L.A.c

Christie Savage joins us with Harmony Acupuncture and Healing Practices. Christie decided to attend acupuncture school after personally experiencing the amazing results of acupuncture and craniosacral therapy. After a degree in mathematics from the University of Virginia and many years of working in a high pressured job for a large company she decided to move to a more fufilling career of helping people on their own personal healing journeys. Christie graduated from the Eastern School of Acupuncture in Montclair, NJ. She studied under world renowned acupuncture master Kiiko Matsumoto at the International Acupuncture Training Center in Beijing, China. While she studied Traditional Chinese Medicine, Five Element, and French Meridian Trigger Point Acupuncture, she focuses on Japanese Acupuncture. She can address a wide range of issues, but most people come to her with pain, digestive problems, stress relief, and emotional issues.

Christie can be reached by email at harmony.acupuncture@yahoo.com
or by phone at 434-242-8305.

Pain Free Wellness Center Opens

2010-01-05T08:49:00.001-05:00

As of January 1st Pain Free Performance has expanded its outreach to the community by creating Pain Free Wellness Center. The Wellness Center is located in the same office complex directly behind our current space. The Wellness Center is comprised of a new Egoscue treatment studio (in addition to our existing space) as well as three new practioners. JoAnn Christy is a certified massage therapist and practices both relaxation and therapeutic massage. She is also trained as a Schatz Technique practioner treating those with chronic pain issues which is a perfect adjunct to the Egoscue method. Dr. Eric Evans brings his chiropractic practice to Charlottesville after providing care for 18 years in the New Jersey area. He has focused his care on treating entire families and has developed effective techniques helping clients with all kinds of ailments, not just back and neck problems. Pain Free is also excited to welcome Christy Savage, licensed acupuncturist who is moving her Charlottesville practice to our new space. She also has a practice in Staunton, VA. Christy specialized in several types of acupuncture as well as oriental bodywork.

Stay tuned for pictures of the new space as well as in depth bios of our new practioners!!

Discover Egoscue. December Client Spotlight

2009-12-02T14:53:00.000-05:00

Before starting Egoscue I knew my mobility was spiraling downward at a rapid rate. It was becoming increasingly more painful to walk and stand. In fact, so much so that when I saw someone in a wheel chair I wondered if that might be me in five years. Since joining the program I've overcome one problem after another and what were once large issues have now become subtle annoyances. One easy measure: I used to carry and frequently use aspirin. Now I only rarely take one. With success has also come the peace of mind and confidence knowing I have the power and ability to influence and control my mobility as I age.

When I started my program I couldn't decide which was more painful my feet or knees. There was only one pair of shoes I could wear with any comfort and even then I could only stand or walk for a maximum of 10 to 30 minutes before the pain got the best of me. I dreaded standing after sitting for any length of time because of the sharp pains in my feet. Walking and balance was made more difficult by my toes grabbing the ground like claws. As for my knees, I would experience periodic concussion like incidents which caused debilitating pain and swelling keeping me immobile for several days while guzzling aspirin.

Now after three years I no longer worry about walking, I have several pairs of comfortable shoes, and my toes no longer are curled. My knees aren't perfect and I still have joint pains. But I've had no immobilizing incidences requiring massivce doses of aspirin. In fact, now I rarely take an aspirin at all.

The services provided at Pain Free are excellent. The entire staff is knowlegeable and well trained. More than that, they genuinely care about their client's well being and comfort. You know that if you have a problem they will address it with the expertise and time it takes to diagnose the source and correct it or direct you to the resources that will. I not only have complete confidence and respect for each and every one of them, I also consider them to be my friends.

2009-10-27T09:29:00.025-04:00

Live Pain Free. Discover Egoscue.

Pain is like a fire alarm. It wakes you up and alerts you that something is wrong. Pain is the body’s way of sending you the message that you must stop and pay attention. Unfortunately, most people look for a quick fix with drugs or surgery. They treat the symptoms and never get to the underlying source of the problem. Think of your body like a car. If the axles and wheels of a car are in alignment, the result is efficient performance and long lasting tires. Let the car get even slightly out of alignment and the vehicle will pull to the side and the treads wear unevenly. If a car was a human body, it would signal alignment trouble through pain. When pain is treated without understanding the source of the problem, it is like replacing a tire without getting the car aligned.

Dr. Mark Drusin, a podiatric physician and surgeon was in pain. A hip replacement was under consideration but Dr. Drusin was looking at all options. “The hip pain had come on gradually”, he stated. “It was getting increasingly worse and had started to affect my quality of life.” Just at that point, Dr. Drusin heard about the Egoscue Method and Pain Free Performance, a local clinic owned and operated by Cindy Meyers and Susy Russell. “We use the Egoscue method to eliminate chronic pain by restoring alignment to the body without the use of drugs or surgery”, said Susy Russell, a certified Postural Alignment Specialist from Egoscue University.

“I worked with Cindy Meyers”, Dr. Drusin remarked. “I had pain and limitation in the hip but this pain was impacted by the poor alignment throughout my body”. Through photos and functional testing, Dr. Drusin was able to understand how restrictions in the upper back and shoulders along with other imbalances were contrib- uting to stress on the hip. A series of passive positions along with gentle retraining exercises allowed the gradual transition of the body toward a more optimal alignment. One key to making changes in the body is the individual SEQUENCE of the positions and exercises. You will not have to “think” about changing your posture. Dr. Drusin ‘s body alignment improved, he gained 1⁄2 inch in height, his pain level decreased 70-80% and his function improved 85-90%. He now has the tools to work toward toward full recovery. The body is designed to move. In today’s society, movement is often limited due to sedentary lifestyles, job technology and modern culture. People spend hours at their computers and do not balance this with activity. Inactivity leads to poor posture, imbalances in the body and will often result in pain. Being both a physician and a surgeon, Dr. Drusin understands that all parts of the body are designed to work together as a unit. “You cannot separate one part of the body from the rest,” he stated. “Any change such as poor posture I had developed, has a distinct effect on the rest of the body. It is action and reaction”.

To find out how you can take charge of your own health and eliminate pain without drugs or surgery, contact us today. Pain Free Performance now offers a free posture screening to introduce you to the Egoscue Method.

2009-10-19T15:37:00.008-04:00

The Egoscue Technique Comes to Charlottesville

Why do we accept that we need drugs or surgery for pain relief?

Why do we associate aging with increased pain and limitation?

Getting older does not have to hurt!! Turns out that your mother was right; in fact, standing up straight was a good idea. Look down, are your feet turned out? Now look in the mirror, are your shoulders even? The source of most pain, as it turns out, is related to poor posture.

Maybe you suffer from a stiff neck, creaking knees, throbbing hips or back pain. Perhaps you have a diagnosis of arthritis, a bulging disk, scoliosis or a muscle strain… those aches and pains are ultimately related to or caused by poor alignment. Even if you have had an accident or suffered from chronic pain, the way you hold and move your body is a major part of what is responsible for the daily grind of aches and pains.