I
have worked with Barbara Baker to alleviate some pain (which is gone) and to
learn ways to continue to deal with aging and possible problems which may
develop in my posture and back and shoulder pain. I will say that she is a
super coach and a person who really cares about helping you learn ways to deal
with and ameliorate pain you may be experiencing. Barbara is really
invested in helping those who come to learn from her and her knowledge of
the Egoscue method. I recommed her help when I can.
Sue,
Cleburne, TX
My
name is Susie. My story with Barbara and the Egoscue Method started in
July of 2010. I am in my fifties, have always been athletic, strong &
healthy (I thought!). However, around November of 2009, I hurt my back
picking up a box of books. At first I thought it would just get better on
its own. All it did was get worse. I went to the
chiropractor. I have had excellent results with chiropractors, however
this time it was not working... in fact, it was still getting worse.
I did spinal decompression, acupuncture, I changed chiropractors, I tried
everything I could think of. Kept getting worse. By this time,
about April, I could not sit for longer than about 60 seconds without
unbelievable pain. I could stand, I could walk, I could dance, I could lay
flat, I just couldn't sit. I had sciatica pain in my lower back and down
my entire right leg which was excruciating. I couldn't drive, couldn't
work, couldn't go to a movie or eat out. My life had become ruled by
pain. My personal physician gave me steroids and painkillers. This
didn't help at all either, but I was grateful for the painkillers which would
work for a little while. My new chiropractor would actually give me some
relief for about 10 minutes, then my body would re-adjust itself back into the
pain position. It occurred to me that perhaps my body needed to learn how
to hold an adjustment - maybe I needed some re-training so my muscles wouldn't
pull me out of whack as soon as I was adjusted. Some friends of mine
recommended a book, "Pain Free," by Pete Egoscue. They had
personal experience with Pete and knew he was on to something. I bought
the book. It made so much sense!!! If your body is out of
alignment, it hurts. Simple idea! I tried the exercises but
realized I needed help - I was in so much pain that I was afraid to do the
exercises without some guidance.
That's when I found Barbara! The first time I met her, I drove to
her home office (in terrible pain!), made it to her front door, said hi, and
flopped down in her foyer, on her rug, face down. This was the only
position that would help the pain subside. I couldn't even wait long
enough to ask where I could lay down. I wish I could say that the pain went away that day. It didn't,
but I did see hope for the first time, and she had the resources to direct me
to someone specifically for my issue who got me out of the pain crisis that I
was in. THEN I was ready to work on repairing, strengthening and
stabilizing my body so that I never experience that again!!! Slowly but surely
I got better & better. I have followed her program for about a year
now, and the changes that I have seen are nothing short of
remarkable. I have been pain free for months and months. My
back is stronger than ever. I feel great! I even started running
the other day for the first time since before my injury! And it's not just changes in my back! I wore orthotics in my shoes
for about 20 years. I DON'T NEED THEM ANYMORE. I used to get
headaches from time to time. Can't remember the last time I had
one! I could never do the yoga "Hero's Pose". No problem
now! My body has changed. I feel more centered, balanced and
relaxed. From time to time I get lazy about doing my exercises, or life happens
and I skip a few days. My body tells me something is amiss & my work
is not yet done. Sometimes I'll feel a twinge of the sciatica issue,
sometimes it's not that specific, just generally I'll feel that something is
not right.... but it always scares me right back into my exercises and
then all is well. I never want to have that pain back in my life!!
Sometimes it's hard to find thirty minutes, but if I am honest I have to
realize I have the time. After all, I was making time to go to the
chiropractor 2-3 times/week - much more of a time commitment! Sometimes
it's easier to let someone "do" something to you than to take charge
& do it yourself. I would encourage you to take charge - it is worth
it in so many ways, and Barbara is an incredible coach who will help you help
yourself.Barbara has created a miracle in my life. I don't know what I
would have done without her.
Susie, McKinney, TX
Hello,
it's Susie again - the one with the LONG testimonial about the sciatica
issue. Thought I'd give an update. I cannot tell you how good my
Egoscue exercises make me feel. I am active - I dance and go on walks
and even run a little. But Egoscue is what centers me and makes
everything work the best. A new thing I've noticed is that my upper
back is relaxed. This is huge. It's never been relaxed - always been a
source of tension & discomfort. Now I am basically unaware of my
upper back - truly a blessing. I'm constantly amazed at the benefits
that my ongoing Egoscue sessions provide. And Barbara is the pillar
around which it all works.
Thank
you thank you thank you for my online menu. I just finished for the
first time, minus the tower e-cises, which I'll do in the evenings when
possible. All of them felt good -- definitely felt the hip flexors
(which mine are very weak) when sitting in the chair lifting 3 inches.
Thank you again, I swear I already can walk better :-)
Pam
West Jordan, Utah
To All of you who are suffering chronic pain or
limited motion:
I have had back problems since I was a small
child due to a diving accident. Throughout the years of working as a nurse, wife
and mother I would have "flare-ups" with back pain and end up having to
go into traction, PT and take pain meds plus muscle relaxant (both of which I
am totally against FOR ME). Nothing really helped. Through sheer determination I
would get back out there as I felt my family and patients would not survive if
I wasn't with them caring and doing for them! Then I retired, had a heart
attack and stroke, so I did Tai Chi, which did help somewhat with my balance. As
the years passed the back became worse. I saw many doctors & chiropractors,
had many spinal injections, acupuncture, and PT at various clinics! Nothing
really helped and I got to the place where I could not stand without crying nor
walk but for a few yards. My days of walking a mile in 15 minutes were over.
The last MD I saw was a spine doctor who
recommended a type of surgery for the "more mature person" who
had osteoporosis along with scoliosis, bulging discs, stenosis, crumbling
spine, etc. He said that there was a 70% chance of success so I took it! NOPE!
Didn't help. He then wanted me on "happy pills" (guess he was tired
of my tears) and to have the electrical probes inserted into my spine to knock
out the pain! NO WAY was I going to tolerate that, nor did I appreciate his uncaring
attitude that I take "happy pills" to keep smiling! Humph!
That's when I found Barbara and the Posture
Studio!!! She is an amazing
person with so much knowledge to share. She empathizes with me at every groan
and yet is so encouraging to continue on with my E-cises! The most amazing part
for me is that unlike regular physical therapy, I actually feel better while
doing the E-cises.!! No more increased pain to try to get better. I am so
impressed with Barbara and her positive outlook and encouraging words that I
would recommend her and the Egoscue Method to all that I know, including the
spine doctor who performed the back surgery on me. I am on my way to being able
to stand straight and walk further distances for longer periods of time without
crying out with pain. Alleluia! Thank you Barbara and Pete Egoscue E-cises!
Pam, Roanoke, TX
I just read your story on the website and I have to tell you
that I feel more encouraged at this moment than when I left your house and got
my equipment today! I didn't realize everything that you had experienced and
endured. I totally get that feeling that your back feels like cement and the
whole limp thingy. Seeing you today, I would have never believed you had gone
through anything like what you did. I soooo know that I am going to be okay and
that this is going to be the answer to my prayer.
After doing my menu, it was easier for me to stand up from a
sitting position without feeling a catch. I did notice that shortly after I
finished, my hips were definitely looser and moving in a more normal fashion as
opposed to my waddle. And when I stood with my feet perfectly aligned, I was
straighter horizontally.
I continue to be
amazed every day how I can slowly see the subtle changes in my posture and in
my walking. I think getting rid of the cane was a really good thing.I was using it as a crutch, no pun
intended, and it gave me an excuse for being somewhat lazy.It's a good thing when I'm really super
fatigued from treatment, but other than that, I consider it non-existent!
I'm noticing that my lower back is getting looser when I
bend down and it's staying looser for a longer period of time. I'm so grateful.
Cindy, Plano, Texas
Thank you so much for spending so much time with me today! I truly
believe this will benefit me in many ways. I look forward to sending people to
you as well! I'm still kind of giggling that my hip flexors are so loose. They
feel so much better. This just may be my ticket to feeling much better forever!
I can't wait to report back to you next week with results.
Angela, Rockwall, TX
Putting my head
against the wall is a feat I can safely say I have not been
able to do (pain
free) in close to 30 years! Amazing is an understatement. For most people this
is a simple task ... not so for me. I've been showing any and everyone
that will stand still long enough just how much my body has changed. So yes you
could say my motivation and drive are very high right now. So other than the
time demand, I'd say things are much better than I could have ever dreamed.
Keep in mind I've
had migraines 20 plus years so when someone says they can help, I am very standoffish.
Thank you again for everything. Susie just thinks the world of you! After
meeting you and John it's easy to see why.
I do need some of
your cards! I was telling a total stranger about you at my son's football game
and thought "oh no! Now what do I tell this guy when needs to reach you?"
No worries -- his son plays on the same team so I will see him next week!
Here's to a pain
free life for all of us!
Pepper, McKinney,
TX
Because of
severe migraines, TMJ, and years of chronic pain, I chose to see if
the Egoscue Method would work for me. My story sounded a lot
like Barbara"s, so it really connected with me. After three Posture Studio
visits over six months, my headaches have improved and my posture is straighter. When I started this method, one of the goals I set with
Barbara was to reduce my forward posture to eliminate my TMJ. I did not want to have
to go through expensive dental therapy to reduce my pain level of a 5-6 out
of 10. I also wanted to reduce/eliminate migraines. And now six months
later, there is very little "lean" in my posture. My TMJ is controlled with a
night splint only and I have minimal pain. My migraines have gone from 3-6 per month
to maybe one per month. Although I still have some stiffness, my overall ache
has improved. I look forward to achieving even more results from my fourth
menu! Theresa, Plano, Texas
I came to Egoscue because my hip kept bothering me and it
slowed me down. My main limitation I had when I began with Egoscue was that I
could not run at 100% because if I tried to run a little faster, it would hurt in
my hip and groin. I wanted to find a way to get better.
After three Posture Studio visits over three months, I can
run faster and it doesn't hurt anymore when I run. I'm more flexible and I
haven't gotten hurt this football season, plus I don't even limp after
practice. Now the pain is pretty much gone and only hurts after a heavy weight
lifting work out.
When I started my Egoscue Therapy, one of the goals I set
with my Posture Coach, Barbara Baker was that I could run, play
football and lift weights without hurting. And now I can do all that! I am
committed to doing my menu every day, no matter what!
Dennis, 14-year-old, McKinney, Texas
I have been an Egoscue fan since the seventies, having
discovered Pete Egoscue in his founding days when he was experimenting with The
Egoscue Method. As I played some professional
football, I had my share of sports injuries, and I could count on
this man to assign just the right movements to get my body back in shape and limit my pain.His total
body, all-systems approach, has helped me to
maintain good health during my adult life.
Not only have I called upon this method for me, but also for
my employees. I have saved money and time by sending employees who would otherwise need Workman's Comp to
either Pete or one of his therapists. My employees are always impressed with
the solid results, and I am relieved to have them back on the job in short
order.
I was happy to learn that a college friend, my wife's
sorority sister, has become certified in The Egoscue Method, operating a
practice in McKinney, Texas. I highly recommend her to you!
Steve, Descanso, CA
I had a hip injury while running about four years ago. I am
a dental hygienist who has spent years overcompensating my posture. I was in
constant pain on a daily basis and I tried chiropractic therapy, disc
decompression, acupuncture, physical therapy, cold laser therapy, Pilates and
yoga.
After three MRIs in three years, the doctors claimed to find
nothing to attribute to the pain I experienced. I was ready to leave my
profession. I gave up exercising and was becoming angry, frustrated, and
depressed.
When I began my Egoscue Therapy with Barbara Baker, my goal
was to stop feeling pain. One year ago, I couldn't move without a sharp pain in
the SI joint and inner groin pain. The groin pain has almost disappeared. The
sharp pain in the SI joint is gone. I had headaches on a weekly basis. Now I
have an occasional headache and can get relief through my menu. I do my menu
everyday and each has improved my overall hip and shoulder imbalance. My TMJ
has disappeared. I have no more migraine headaches. My overall daily movement
patterns have changed and I am more aware of my posture.
After seven visits over one year, I am virtually pain free!
My posture is better. I can function without pain. I have increased my work
hours and returned to running on a treadmill three times a week without pain.
My body feels stronger today than I can ever remember.
Theresa, McKinney, Texas
Having
suffered debilitating mid-back pain for well over a year, I spent my valuable
time and money searching for someone who could explain the cause and the source
of the pain. I went to Emergency numerous times fearing a heart attack, spent
thousands of dollars in co-pays for needless blood work and x-rays, and cried
in frustration over the sudden pain which would awaken me during the few hours
of sleep I could get. I finally found an orthopedic doctor who connected me
with a creative physical therapist. Our work resolved the excruciating pain,
and I became motivated to continue in a positive direction.
Confirming
with him that the pain was posture based, I then began with The Egoscue Method
because of its attention on corrective posture. I wanted to ensure that the
therapeutic benefits I had achieved through physical therapy would last, as well
as correct my body's other compensations and dysfunctions. For the past year, I
have had my Posture Coach, Barbara Baker, design a new e-cise menu every month
or so. I am thrilled that my shoulders are more aligned and I am standing
straighter. I find that doing my e-cises regularly is a relaxing yet
invigorating daily routine that I genuinely anticipate each morning. I am
confident that my back pain is only a distant memory because I am now in
control of giving my body exactly what it is craving -- to be free of pain. I
am grateful for Barbara's steady encouragement and insightful feedback. Through
her skill, I am able to save both time by working out in the privacy of my home
and money by no longer needing a cure within the expensive medical world. I can
now take the lead in healing myself, which is incredibly empowering!
Kaki,
Plano, TX
I came to Egoscue because my mom's friend recommended it to me.
After one clinic visit and seven weeks, all my hip pain that I felt when I was
running or playing tennis was gone. When I started my Egoscue therapy, one of
the goals I set with Barbara was to be able to play tennis without having to
stop because of my hip pain. And now I can play tennis without worrying about
any pain. One of the limitations I had when I began with Egoscue was my pain
limited how long I could play sports without being in pain. Now I am able to
play my favorite sports with pain-free hips.