Help for Herniated Disks
by Maureen Sullivan

While vacationing this past summer, I awakened one morning with severe pain in my right upper back and shoulder area. After a few visits to physicians’ offices and an MRI, it was confirmed that I had herniated 3 disks in my cervical spine area. My proscribed treatment included medication, spinal manipulation, physical therapy nerve blocks and acupuncture. My goal was to actively work toward healing and strength building while avoiding surgical intervention.

Fortunately, I carefully evaluated my options for physical therapy. I heard about Body Technic Systems (BTS) and all the great body movement techniques that they offer. I began working one-on-one with Sunday Homitz, the owner of BTS; and I also came to BTS for other body movement group sessions. BTS, Sunday Homitz, and the people who worked with me and along side of me made the most significant impact on my recovery. The other medical interventions were not helpful. I made the decision early in my treatment that focusing on body movement, specifically spine and joint articulation was what I needed to gain back my active life.

After experiencing all different types of body movements and approaches at BTS, I continued to use multiple types of exercises in my personal sessions at home or while traveling. I have made a more focused commitment to the Gyrotonic® Expansion System. I have found that the Gyrotonic equipment and the Gyrokinesis™ floor exercises have not only supported my recovery but have become a way of life for me. Due to my progress, the physicians treating me are more aware of Gyrotonic® and encouraging others to consider Gyrotonic® for their health and fitness.

Surgery Avoided
by Alison Krupa Parks

I looked the picture of health at aged 41; but I had lived with 15 years of chronic back and hip pain. The result was an ever more restrictive physical and athletic world. Over this period of time, I received various M.D. treatments and physical therapy techniques. I also pursued alternative techniques including chiropractic, traditional Chinese (deep) acupuncture, shiatsu and other trigger point therapies, etc. Some of these approaches gave relief, but always temporary and fleeting.

Finally, in early 2001, I found myself at University Hospital in Cleveland, consulting an Orthopedic Surgeon … the ‘last resort.’ Prior to go/no go surgery decision, I was referred by the surgeon to Body Technic, Sunday Homitz, L.P.T. for a biomechanics evaluation and intensive physical therapy.

Ms. Homitz and I worked together to understand the source of the pain, and develop techniques to alter my biomechanics. These techniques incorporated traditional PT, as well as, principles of Gyrotonic® (mat and machine work), physio-ball, intensive breath work, etc. This approach successfully identified the fundamental weaknesses in my physiology and, assisted me identifying poor biomechanics. A comprehensive approach was developed. The result: tremendous change low functionality to higher and higher levels of functionality and strength, with less and less chronic pain.

The results are nothing short of miraculous. Continued focus on good biomechanics is required, and periodic tune-ups are necessary. As a result of the intensive work with Ms. Homitz, my physical and athletic world is ever broadening.

Portrait of The Artist after a Car Accident
by Jennifer Newyear

I have always had the gift of art in my left hand. I went to art school and have worked using my skills ever since.
Time passed and life went on. I produced oil paintings, drew and worked meticulously retouching photographs and negatives. When personal computers and software made photo retouching and page design more accessible I taught myself to use them and continued on with my evolving artistic career. In 1998 while out on a Saturday hike and a drive in the country I found myself involved in a car accident. If only I'd have turned left out of the parking lot instead of right, I would never have even known that girl had run that stop sign! As it stands now, that fact is vivid in my mind. That day it didn't seem like I was injured, but as the days went by it became all too obvious that I did not escape that accident without incident. I took a lot of the impact right into my upper left back and my neck.

Medication, doctor visits and physical therapy followed. I feared that my art career was going to become a thing of the past. I was proclaimed cured, but I didn't feel like I was. As time passed I found my left hand was becoming numb and my whole left wing felt out of place, painfully so. I was subjected to examinations, tests involving needles, electrical current, injected dyes in my spine, all to no real conclusion! I was finally referred to Dr. Krupkin who actually listened to where I said the pain was coming from. It was now Spring in the year 2000. He referred me to Sunday Homitz at BTS who immediately upon looking at me started making suggestions that would prove to give me relief from the constant pain that I was experiencing.

The pain and numbness didn't completely disappear, but it became much more tolerable. Whereas the physical therapists I saw before had me doing athletic exercises with jerking movements, Sunday showed me exercises that involved fluid dance-like movements. She was fitting the exercises to the patient not fitting the patient to the exercises. I still experience pain, but now I know to do my daily exercises and some special ones I do after strenuous activity. Not only does Sunday give you exercises to do, but she has a wealth of knowledge of others who can help you. She has such a wide range of methods she has studied and she knows them well. She cares and wants to know if there are results. If there is a set back she wants to fix it.

When my chronic pain started to interfere with my life I was going to a pain management clinic and speaking with a psychologist about it. The neurologist there had me taking some anti -depressant medication that had some rather uncomfortable side affects and it was expensive, too. My pain seemed to be lessened, though. After several months of that I saw Dr. Krupkin again and he encouraged me to try things without the medication. Sunday was there to develop a new routine of exercise to help me maintain a low level of pain and to increase my productivity and endurance.

I recommend Body Technic Systems to anyone who mentions they have a physical problem. I want them to know that there is hope for them.

Standing Straighter
by Jan S. Blumenthal

I had been to many Doctors for my back pain. One of my Doctors wrote me a prescription for Physical Therapy and Pilates, he also recommended Body Technic Systems, Inc. I was doubtful that anything would help, since I was not a candidate for surgery. This was the only way to go, and I am so glad I did. Physical Therapy is the best pain reliever I have had. The staff is so considerate and compassionate. I would recommend Body Technic Systems highly.

I have experienced during this course of treatment strength in my back and muscles. I can stand straighter and walk further. My back pain has lessened. I have felt so much better then when I started. I was leery of another treatment. I have gone through all kinds of Physical Therapy, water therapy and nothing lasted. Body Technic Systems has helped me to feel so much better.

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