Pilates is A Part of My Healing

I was originally referred to PNW Pilates by my PT of over 25 years in putting me back together after several car accidents, recurring SI dysfunction and a couple of falls!! All of the above cooperate too well in leaving me uncomfortable at best, and unable to move at worst.

27 years ago when I had just arrived in Portland my left SI did its usual slipping out and I was hosptialized at Saint vinnie’s for two weeks, and put into traction on valium and codeine for two more months at home. I worked from my home setup with an old-fashioned traction device. I was not given any PT after being released from the hospital, and told to remain in bed for as long as it took to reduce the muscle spasm. 12 months after this episode, I gave birth to my first child(and had been confined to bed for the last 3 months of my pregnancy due to the threat of an early birth–which didn’t happen) You can just imagine what poor physical shape I was in for that event!!

Several years later, the same thing happened, and this time I was given a half inch lift to wear in my right shoe–which I did for about 6 years, and sent back to my PT, whom I had met through my first child’s pediatrician, who sent me there for a crik in the neck from long middle of the night feedings, and continued Si dysfunction.) I continued to have episodes; when the orthopedist who put in the lift sent me away in the middle of one such crippling episode (now I was home with 2 little ones, and my husband was travelling!!!)I turned to a friend , a DO, who set me up for x-ray studies of leg length and cranial sacral treatments with a colleague.

Fast forward through MANY cranial treatments(several practitioners), acupuncture, 3 car accidents and 2 surgeries, and PT: About 1 1/2 years ago, my PT sent me to Melanie after several attempts on my part to undertake exercise programs on my own. After several sessions with Mel, she turned me over to dear Janet, and I have been happy ever since.

Last winter I suffered round of a frozen shoulder; the previous episode had me stopping all activity , including walking, because of the pain. Janet urged me to continue with the pilates, and modified the workouts according to whatever shape I was in at the time. She is patient, cheerful and very supportive, skillfully reading my readiness for her routine at any given moment, and adapting them on the spot to my ability on a given day. This past summer I went through another period of frequent “slips” in my pelvis, which were, I believe held in abeyance by Janet’s skill in straightening me out, literally, in a session. She encouraged me to supplement with visits to the chiropractor if I asked for her opinion.

Unfortunately, due to financial difficulties at home, I have had to postpone my next round of 10 sessions. I am having major jaw surgery in November, and have every intention of coming back asap, as I believe that working with Janet will speed my recovery from that major event. I will be back for her professional and personal touches in my “healing process”, and can absolutely attest to the success that one-on-one pilates has brought to my long-standing skeletal problems. Janet has given me some exercises to continue at home (without the reformer, which I will sorely miss) and has convinced me of the utility of one-on-one instruction for my circumstances. I am not ready to “take a class” and am suspicious of the many venues where people are teaching “pilates” just by saying so (indeed, I have the same opinion about many yoga classes), and have developed a good understanding and respect for, under Janet’s care, just how much training goes into a good instructor of pilates. She is always caring and professional.

I hope to be back in the studio very soon. I will miss my weekly dose of Janet’s enthusiasm and skill for the next little bit—