Testimonials

J. Goy – Frozen shoulder and general body pain & stiffness

 

K. Pacey – Sciatica sufferer

 

SLM is a truly magnificent self help programme that will benefit anyone who is willing to participate fully.

 

I have been following the programme for 3.5 months now for sciatica which has recently developed as a result of years of unresolved back problems but now after 3-4 years I am finally experiencing pain reduction and major improvements in my physical structure. For me SLM therapy has succeeded where most other treatments have failed. To date I have tried numerous physiotherapists, numerous osteopaths, acupuncture, bowen therapy, kinesiology, cranio sacral therapy, yoga and pilates.

 

I have found the programme to be hard work and time consuming but the results make it 100% worthwhile. The continual little improvements have encouraged and motivated me to keep going at times when I have felt like throwing the towel in and reconfirmed that I am on the right path to a pain free life.

 

It has been difficult to keep an open mind that the whole body is connected as this is not something that many practitioners believe in, but Steve's theory is truly believable when you commence the programme. I have experienced releases in my back when working on the glutes and feet and releases in my left leg when working on the right erector. I have experienced a reduction in tension all the way from my jaw down to my feet which is truly amazing. I have found that on numerous occasions following the SLM yoga that an area that released would either re-tighten or another area would tighten up, often for me this was the hamstrings, but I persevered and eventually they stopped tightening up!

 

A very important factor of the programme is the SLM therapist and I found being treated by Anne a pleasure. She is very patient and non judgemental which I have not come across before. I have often experienced a therapist become frustrated when they have not been able to help/guide me which often results in them either being eager to get me off the table or they have reputed my symptoms both of which is disheartening so it was very refreshing not to have to experience this with Anne. Anne has been very encouraging along the way and seems to always be one step ahead knowing "what stage" I am about to go through next. I felt noticeable changes in my structure after the second treatment which again is not something that I have experienced before - she now has a client for life! Anne is a fantastic therapist but it is unfair to assume that she can work miracles alone, I found that we really have had to work together. I could not have come this far without her and she could not have helped me so much if I was not following the programme.

 

It would be unfair to say that any part of the programme is more important than the other (massage, yoga, ball release work, swimming, strengthening). Each part seems to have it's own beneficial quality that appears to compliment the other and if one were eliminated the programme may not be as successful.

 

T. Bailey – Lower back pain

 

Anne has been truly amazing in a very holistic way looking at the overall picture of me as a person as well, obviously, as my back.

We are well on the way to recovery and this has been hard at times but she has given me the encouragement to continue with the programme and to take a perspective about the problem.

M. Poudel – Lower back pain

 

I had lower back pain for several years and was treating with so-called modern medical solutions which primarily relied on Ibuprofen that only contributed to trigger my problem. In June 2007 my pain triggered in a way that I hardly could sit for more than 30 minutes on my working chair, could not sleep properly, feeling very tried and pain gradually moved down to my right leg following sciatica nerve that made me visiting a clinic. I was in the UK during that time and consulted NHS who time and again kept me in Ibuprofen for 3 months but refused my request for an x-ray and a physio consultation. There was no sign of pain getting better my situation was getting worse instead. Started Chinese Traditional Treatment that was acupuncture every single day for six months. My pain gradually became to a level of manageable but when I stopped acupuncture the situation was the same and pain in right leg was stronger. I flew back home to Nepal for investigation, did MRI that identified that my L5 disc was slipped and sciatica nerve root was pressed that caused my problem. Went to see a number of doctors ranging from orthopaedic to neurologist among others with my MRI report. Only one solution I was given by all of them was surgery which I refused straightway and they have warned me that I would be paralysed at any minutes. My physiotherapist in Kathmandu advised me for a regular physio of my back and legs. Went to see a neurophysician practicing Chinese therapy who supported by decision to not to go for surgery and advised for acupressure on my erector mussels that helped to reduce acute pain. Meanwhile I had to get into a job abroad. I started massage in my new working place in Central Asia for a couple of months which was quite deep and relaxing. By the time I was feeling little better but was not confident that I’m moving towards lasting solution. I continue searching for a better approach to deal with my problem and found out SLM website and started reading testimonies and conversations between/among having similar problem as mine. Read Bad Back Book and immediately realised that SLM was solution to my problem. Ordered SLM DVD and started working on it. I was not expecting over night solution as my problem was chronic, after a few weeks I had gained my confidence that my muscles were working but only Yoga was not enough. From various conversation people were engaged in private forum and my own communication with Steve, I was aware that water walk, deep tissue massage and proper food was also important but they were not feasible within a context I was working.

On my return to UK I contacted Anne Swindley for deep tissue massage in May 2009. It was already two years of my desperation. Magic hands of Anne contributed me to understand that I had several rocky mountains on my erector, hips, shoulders, arms and legs those needed proper approach to get melted. Her advice on food and my life style complimented a lot to SLM and deep tissue massage. The advise to add water walk was another magic I found to address my problem. Even I was doing SLM yoga for six months with out considering proper food, water walk and not having deep tissue massage, my approach was not enough to get into root of my problem.

Now I have a feeling that 90% of my problem has gone since I started combination of four: SLM yoga as advised for sciatica, proper food, water walk and deep tissue massage. I’m much more comfortable working in computer, long standing, and walking, good sleep, very different then before.

Now I do yoga two times a week, balanced food, water walk everyday to strengthen my hip, hamstring and erector and get remaining obstacles removed.