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Testimonials
Read what our clients are saying
 I am an avid outdoorsman, particularly when it comes to hunting and fishing. At almost 60 years old, however, my congenital scoliosis finally began to catch up with me in recent years; I found that spending hours standing in a fishing boat or hunting blind resulted in low back pain/soreness and tension in my neck, shoulders and hips. Finally, at the advice of a couple of family members who had found relief in the Egoscue method, I contacted John Elder and began my menu in March 2010. I regularly completed my menu for more than 2 months, when it came time for my annual fishing trip with 2 friends. Our destination was the Pacific Ocean off Costa Rica, our targets were marlin and sailfish. As we planned on spending the nite on our fishing boat 60 miles offshore, I was anxious about how my body would react to the constantly unstable platform of a fiberglass boat for almost 72 hours, not to mention the stress of fighting big fish on light tackle. Well, we had the trip of a lifetime, hooking almost 30 billfish in 3 days fishing; AND, I hooked and brought to the boat a 250 lb. blue marlin on a fly rod, after almost two hours. The most amazing part of the trip, however, was how my body felt during the trip and after getting off the boat. For the first time in 15 years, I had no soreness or any sort of pain during and after the trip. I frankly was shocked as to the lack of ill effects particularly after the long fight on fly tackle with the marlin. Clearly, the being diligent with John Elder’s recommended menu thru the Egoscue method paid big dividends and taught me a valuable lesson about the importance of regular, intelligent e-cises in taking care of the old body!
Peter Schutt
Nashville, TN
Cured her "DEAD" leg & got pregnant through pelvic changes with Egoscue!
At the peak of my running career, my dreams of a competitive marathoner began to drift further and further away. In February 2005, my right leg (hamstring) started to “go dead” 40 minutes into any run (fast or slow). I would not fall, but my leg simply would not work. It was as if my glutes would quit firing causing my hamstring to take over. Since it was physiologically impossible for the hamstring to perform the work of my glutes, my leg would become very weak and would not carry me forward. Because this forward movement was necessary for me to compete, I began what became a 3 plus year journey of endless therapy searching for "why" this was happening. At the end of the journey, I had a million dollar leg that still would not perform. I started with your traditional doctor who went directly to the back stating Degenerative Disk Disease and a bulging disc was the culprit. Their solution was that maybe I "should not run so much". That was quite the turn off so I sought alternative means to an unknown problem. I did not think it was back related, as I had never experienced back pain before; however, endless research led me to piriformis syndrome. Although I was introduced to some amazing modalities and therapists (acupuncture, chiropractic (several therapists), deep tissue massage, cranio, active release therapy, rolfing (full series), prolotherapy), NONE worked. My body would simply not hold any manipulated adjustments. Keep in mind, I did not dabble in any of these, I was committed (financially, mentally, and physically) to each "cure". My lack of progress led to immense frustration and a deflated attitude. For three plus years, I knew something was missing but could not find the missing piece. I would spend countless hours researching solutions on my own and incorporated plenty of stretching, yoga, and hanging upside down (all of which made things worse). The more research I did, the more labels I found. It quickly became what I will call “paralysis by analysis”. This injury had become an obsession. My hope was fading fast. I had “given up” the idea of competing so many times (taking months off of running), but always would return and so would the "dead leg". Thankfully my friend (Denise) convinced me to give Egoscue a chance. "Ego-what?", I remember thinking. I had grown more skeptical with each modality, but deep down I knew there had to be a reason for this “dead leg”. I thought I had heard of everything. How in the world would I explain this one to my husband? When I first walked in, John asked if anyone had ever focused on my shoulders or my upper back. Are you kidding me, what does a dead leg have to do with a shoulder or my posture for that matter? Needless to say, I wanted to run. Good thing my leg would still go dead at that time...by the end of the session, I was hooked. Over the years, it had become very difficult to even explain my "problem" due to the constant guessing game that was never won. What a relief, someone who could care less about my symptoms and REALLY focused on my body as a whole. During my first week of e-cises, I could actually feel my pelvis shift. At first, my leg got a little worse becoming "dead" earlier into the run. I was a little hesitant, but what was 8 more weeks? Well, after the second week, I was running over 50 minutes without deadness, and then after 3 weeks -- NO deadness.
In the midst of this miracle, another dream was realized causing my running to take a back seat. I am now 31 years old and have been married 7 years. We have two fabulous dogs, but no children. Although my husband and I refused to try to get pregnant, we also did not prevent children, and I struggled with ignoring the infertility comments as best I could. Thankfully pregnancy will never become another obsession. After a very short time with Egoscue, I became pregnant! My pelvis shifted into a place that would allow me to run again AND become a mother. While the "running" dream is on hold (for now), another dream has become reality! I am so thankful for Egoscue and for John Elder who gave me the confidence to keep pushing through this.
Carrie G.
Nashville, TN
Knee Pain - After months of work with the doctors and no relief, Robin’s knee pain was eliminated after one day with Egoscue!
My name is Robin Robins and I've been teaching aerobics and lifting weights for over 20 years. I like to consider myself a tough old bird that can take the sore muscles and aches and pains of working out; but a few months ago, I developed a knee pain that simply would not go away and prevented me from teaching classes and working out altogether. It was so inflamed and painful that I could barely walk across the floor much less teach a class.
I went to one of the top sports medicine doctors at Vanderbilt who tried to help me, but couldn't find anything wrong with my knee. He simply gave me a heavy anti-inflammatory drug and told me to "lay off" for awhile. After 3 months, the pain was a bit better but would come right back the minute I tried to cycle, run, or teach a class. The doctor just piled on more drugs and physical therapy. After two more months of that, I demanded to see the doctor yet again (he kept telling me to rest it and take the pills). His answer? You must have torn cartilage and we'll have to operate. I've had a LOT of knee injuries and have torn my ACL and dislocated my knee at least 7 times. I know what cartilage damage feels like and this wasn't it. Desperate for help, I called John Elder at the Egoscue Nashville clinic.
I saw John on a Friday afternoon and by Saturday morning, the pain was COMPLETELY GONE! I almost thought it was my mind playing tricks so I stopped taking all pain medication - even Advil - and still no pain. I thought I would put it to the test and get on the spin bike. Still, NO PAIN! I cannot tell you how much John and the Egoscue method has changed my life. I cannot imagine what would have happened if I took my doctor's advice and went through surgery. Probably months of recovery with my knee never being "quite right" again. Now I'm back to working out 6 days a week, teaching 4 classes, and easily doing 250 lb. leg presses, all without pain anywhere.
If you are in any kind of pain, go and see John. I've referred dozens of people to John who take my classes and they ALL report back the same results: instantaneous improvement and pain free movement. One of my students had a herniated disc and had given up any hope of ever running again. The other day in the gym she told me she was seeing John and back to running without pain – something she thought she would never do again in her life!
Don't take drugs and don't opt for surgery. These are suggestions from well-meaning doctors who, for the life of me, don't understand or know about the Egoscue method. Just give John an honest try. After all, if it doesn't work out, you can still go back to the doctors and you'll at least have the peace of mind knowing you looked at all the options. But I guarantee that you will discover you can get rid of the pain without surgery, without braces, pills, or other solutions that simply mask the symptom and ignore the real cause. Sign up today...it will be one of the best decisions you ever make!
Robin Robins
A dedicated, happy Egoscue Client
After battling back pain for years, the Egoscue approach has truly changed my life. I've been an Egoscue disciple for 15+ years. My current therapist, John Elder, knows the method as well as anyone I've worked with over the years. John is energetic and highly motivational. These are important characteristics since the Egoscue approach relies heavily on self-discipline. I live pain free now and don't rely on any pain medicine.
Greg Flanagan
Achilles tendon pain GONE for this Marathoner!
I have struggled with Achilles tendon pain and swelling for almost 2 years now. In addition to this, I have periodically suffered SI joint pain, hip pain and stiffness in my upper and lower back. The main complaint was really always my Achilles though as it remained constantly painful and was affecting my running. The bursitis was red and swollen all the time and I could not wait to get my shoe off after a run. Even the sock laying on the tendon was excruciating.
I kept believing it was a stretching "issue" and did stretches constantly to correct the problem. I sought care from Rolfers, chiropractors, massage therapist, special socks to hold my foot flexed, stretching devises, lifts in my shoes, anti-inflammatory creams and was going to get a cortisone shot to get through my next marathon.
All these treatments felt like trying to put a band-aide on a greater problem. By luck, I posted a question on a local running club's website and had a response from John Elder about Egoscue. I liked that Egoscue dealt with whole body imbalances. It made foundational sense to me that the whole body is connected. In addition, John's explanation of how my tight upper back, painful lower back, tight hip and ultimately Achilles are all dependent on them working as a unit and in balance. If one is off, the whole body compensates. Finally someone to take and look at my whole mechanical person.
Naturally, I was skeptical. I had many give me promises of how they could cure my Achilles pain. Most of them focused on the calf and Achilles tendon and their tightness. So, I was shocked when week after week, John did not address the calf or Achilles. My “menus” focused on my shoulders, my hips, arching my back and spending time in “the tower” flat on my back with one leg suspended on a board.
Things did not happen over night. I went 6 weeks doing my menus and continuing to hurt, complain and deep down thinking that scar tissue in my calf was causing this problem. I could even feel the dang knot! I decided to give it all I had through the 8 weeks and then see where I was. I had friends tell me my posture looked straighter so that was a benefit.
Then, it happened. On the Thursday of my 7th week, I did a threshold run. Usually speed and hills would tear up my Achilles tendon. I was surprised that it didn’t really hurt very much. The next day I ran an easy 4 miles as a recovery run. I was shocked that there was no pain at all. On Saturday I ran 20 miles for my marathon training. Again, I had no pain and throughout the day my Achilles never flared up.
I have not run pain free for almost 2 years. Each run since has been pain free and my shoe resting on the Achilles does not cause discomfort. I remembered when even my socks resting on that area was unbearable!
There is only one explanation. Egoscue has brought balance to my body and I am functioning symbiotically with all my joints. My running is back to pain free. I now look forward to trying to regain my speed that I lost during these years nursing my Achilles and believe that my stride will be more efficient which will help me gain strength and speed.
I can't tell you what a miracle this seems to be. I had resigned that this was a part of aging and am thrilled it is not so.
Denise P.
Nashville, TN
Shoulder & arm pain eliminated!
Incredible! That’s how I feel about The Egoscue Method! In the spring of 2007 I began to experience shoulder pain that would carry down through my arm into my fingers. I had to cease from doing my activities as a caregiver and seamstress due to the pain I was experiencing.
The pain was excruciating! Even after several visits to my chiropractor I was still unable to carry out simple household chores like washing dishes. There were days when all I could do was stay in bed. Staying in a horizontal position was comfortable, as any gravitational pull down on my right side sent shooting pains down my arm.
I have always been an active person and made brisk walking a part of my weekly routine but desired to take up running again like I used to do in my twenties. However, when I started back to running in the fall, I noticed my pain would intensify after I was done. My chiropractor said that I needed to stop running because the jostling of my arm was making the pain worse. I sought out a second opinion about my pain and made an appointment with an orthopedic specialist. He told me that my only other option was surgery! He said there was nothing more I could do for my shoulder and that I had waited too long.
I actually had heard about Egoscue a few years ago, but I wasn't in pain at that time. Now it was different—I knew I needed to take responsibility for my pain. I got online and discovered the Nashville clinic. After doing some research and reading the testimonials (just like you're doing now!) I was convinced that I had to give this a chance. I called Clinic Director John Elder and explained what I had been going through. He was very genial and answered my many questions. He told me of his personal experience with chronic pain the Method as well as Pete Egoscue’s story. I was so impressed with his knowledge and confidence about the body and how it functions, that I decided to make my first appointment. Even the drive to the clinic caused pain, but the anticipation and hope of getting relief helped me to persevere to get there. Upon arrival I told John, "If this Egoscue Method really works, I will be on one of the highest mountains in Tennessee proclaiming this to everyone who can hear me!"
I must tell you that I left my first of eight sessions with diminished pain! John sent me home with a list of e-cises to do every day until my next weekly appointment. After taking responsibility for my pain and doing the e-cises that my body wasn’t used to, I began to see positive results. I was back doing household chores, doing some light sewing and being able to drive without pain.
In addition to pain relief, my posture is definitely better, too. That's what the Method is really all about—it's getting your posture aligned right, because when it's off in one area of your body it throws the rest of your body off and thus your pain begins. The Method focuses on the whole body, not just the area where the pain is located. I know now that I must take action and responsibility myself and be disciplined to do so instead of depending on others to do it for me. Oh, and I can't forget to tell you that I'm running again and increasing in distance without pain! Incredible! That's how I feel about the Egoscue Method!
Brenda Oakes
Hartsville, TN
Bulging Discs
I have two bulging discs in my lower back and had an MRI the week I came to Egoscue. When I came to the clinic I had been in the car for over seven hours and was in a lot of pain. I have lived in this sort of pain for years and have not slept well or at all. I was not in good shape physically or emotionally.
The very first day I came into the clinic hurting, and I left with no discomfort! I SLEPT through the night—a first for me in years. I mean, I really slept—did not wake up at all. Believe me, I’m not the only one happy—my family cannot believe me!
I am so very thankful to have found Egoscue. I have been given the opportunity to live. I am now sleeping. I have so much more energy because it doesn’t hurt to move. I do not have to be told to do my e-cises; I do them with great enthusiasm and because I am so glad to have them. My life is so different and I am so very glad I have been helped by Egoscue.
I now have the promise and possibility of being able to live and enjoy my life without constant pain. The reality that even if I have a setback—I do have two bulging discs—I can get better, even if something sets me way back!
I believe I have the opportunity to have a LIFE, not just an existence. I was scheduled for another back surgery. Now, I don’t believe I will ever have back surgery again because of Egoscue and the methods I have been made aware of. Thanks!
Freeda Leeds
Clarksville, Arkansas |
