From clients
Two years ago I herniated two vertebra in my neck sneezing while reading. I went from normal to excruciating pain in less than a minute. I went to my doctor immediately and he sent me to a physical therapist, a good one, and the pain diminished from excruciating to chronic bouts of severe pain.
I continued to do the exercises the physical therapist gave me. The P.T.’s exercises did return full motion to my neck but did not relieve the pain significantly. I had an MRI and was told that surgery was 50/50 at best to relieve the pain and might make it worse. My doctor prescribed pain medication and a muscle relaxant. They helped but merely masked my pain and anxiety.
My relationships begin to suffer. I couldn’t work. I couldn’t play. My stress-relieving hobbies of playing guitar and piano actually caused me stress because of the pain associated with playing.
Frustrated and confused, after a year of intense physical therapy that did little for my pain, I hit the wall. I’ve never been so close to cracking up. The pain was still that bad after a year of physical therapy. I then walked far outside of my medical comfort zone.
I called a massage therapist. I called five in fact. Leaving messages with them all that I needed a plan to relieve my pain. Two called back that day. About Touch’s, Ms. Olsen called me first.
She set up a free consultation and after we met and had done the consult she said she thought she could help a little. Well, she did better than that. I’ve seen her for about a year and I’ve gone from looking like a turtle to people commenting on my posture. I’ve had something to do with it as I have worked very hard to aid in the process of my own recovery.
However without Ms. Olsen’s guidance and treatment I would be nowhere near in as a good a “shape” as I am now. Her massage skills are exemplary, she is kind, listens well, and provides you with the tools you need to help yourself between visits.
In many ways I feel as if I owe my life to her. I can now play guitar and piano pain free. My social life has returned to normal and while not pain free 100% of the time I can safely count on my body to be there for me for work or play. If I hadn’t taken the chance with massage therapy I am sure that I would be no better.
Ms. Olsen has been a godsend for my life and she is a very nice person as a bonus. I enthusiastically recommend About Touch and Ms. Olsen’s therapy skills. If you have pain. It can’t hurt to try:)
- Robert Kelsey, Eugene
