Thank you in advance for reading this somewhat long review:…read more
I had lived a happily active and physical life for 50 years, then was derailed by chronic pain for the last 10 years. No luck in the medical system since I choose not to use drugs or have unnecessary surgeries, my former standbys of chiropractic, massage, yoga and physical therapy were no longer having a beneficial effect - if anything they seemed to add to the problem. Suffice it to say that in 10 years, I had tried almost EVERYTHING for pain relief. Then I met Sheila who suggested that her energy work might be beneficial. I overcame my initial doubt and scheduled an appointment.
During my first session, I was slightly skeptical - I always thought I needed heavier "body work". And then, as Sheila began her "work" which is her own combo of Jin Shin Jyutsu and Quantum Healing Touch among others, I felt myself gently and silently "invited" to re-inhabit my body. Hesitant, but curious, as anyone who lives daily in a level 7 out of 10 pain can relate, I slowly started relaxing and letting my consciousness accept the invitation. For the first time in years, I felt as though it was safe to do this at this time and in this special place.
When I started feeling something being energetically pulled out of my shoulder (which had been in various states of frozen for 8 years) I began to get even more curious, and allowed myself to become even more deeply aware of this homecoming back into my body. The experience was ecstatic, I had been "away" for so long. Then my left leg started unwinding outward from the pelvis - it felt like it would unwind forever (I had fractured that leg almost 30 years ago). The session ended, but over the next several days, it felt like my body was "adjusting" itself. Gently, slowly shifting long held patterns that were no longer serving me. I found that I was more conscious of my movements, and I was more present in my body.
My painful shoulder had completely released (no pain at all) and my lower back and pelvis felt completely different (although not pain free) there was an obvious instability now that at least was shifting back and forth. After 2 weeks I scheduled another session with Sheila.
Again, I was drawn further into my own body, and again I felt sensations in various areas (my pelvis and my neck this time). My neck had been very stiff and painfully locked up for nearly 4 years, to the point where I had very little movement from side to side, and the occipital headaches that went right along with this were ever present. This time I walked away feeling a new sensation in my pelvis area (not necessarily comfortable, yet it felt like an important and necessary shift). As the days went by, again my body felt as though it was adjusting itself.
After a couple of days the sensation in my pelvis area subsided and my low back and hips began to feel more stable than they had in years. I found myself feeling hope, and I actually began to be able to imagine that my body could continue righting itself with Sheila's unique assistance. After all these years of living in pain and trying so many modalities, I had completely lost hope that my body would ever "return' to normal. After 4 days I noticed that I had much more movement in my neck and a week later the ever-present pain was lessened by about 80%, and the headaches in the occipital region were gone. It has now been a week since our last session, and the gains have held steady.
In just two sessions with Sheila, my future is looking much brighter. As a lifelong yoga practitioner/teacher and meditator, as much as I tried, I couldn't do this on my own. Sometimes, you just need a little help. For me, I have realized that this is the "new" medicine of the future for chronic pain, and I am very grateful that Sheila continues to develop her awareness and healing art. I have scheduled another appointment with her and I highly recommend her, especially if you live in chronic pain.