TRANSFORMATIONS
Transformations of clients with chronic and recurring pain
- many after years, even decades, of pain and failed treatments elsewhere.
Fiona's process sees pain not as the problem, but a symptom that the body as a whole is out of alignment.
NECK AND KNEE PAIN - FROM CONSTANT DISCOMFORT TO EFFORTLESS MOVEMENT
White line = gravity line. Our centre of mass needs to run through this point to avoid strain on joints and tissues.
Back view: gravity line starts in the middle of the feet and runs up the middle of our body, there should be even side to side distribution.
Side view: gravity line starts slightly in front of the ankle bone, and needs to cross the middle of the knee, hip, shoulder and ear hole.
Before: Side-to-side body shifting, head struggling to stay up on an unstable foundation, poor alignment.
After: Fully aligned, standing with ease. Neck and head sitting nicely on top of a stable body.
"Thanks so much for your hard work and advice. I did a challenging overnight hike last weekend with no problems! It was a walk I most definitely could not have done before your exercises and fascia work."
THE PAIN (2 years):
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Persistent neck and knee pain that made movement difficult.
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Impact on life: Couldn't turn her head without sharp pain, and knee pain made weight-bearing activities painful and uncomfortable. Client could no longer hike or rock climb.
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Previously tried: Physiotherapy, Doctors, scans, focus was on neck and knee, not whole body.
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THE PROBLEM​:
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Head shifted forward—limiting side-to-side and rotational movement.
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Weight shifted over toes—causing weight to go through the knee instead of the hip
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Glutes "on holiday"—locked short and unable to do their job of stabilising the hips and trunk.
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Body visibly misaligned—before photos show side-to-side shifting, no structural balance, and a weak neck struggling to hold up the head.
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THE FIX (4 months):
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Full Program over 4 months to re-create full body alignment and stability, includes:
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Fascia work to open up restricted tissues, allowing stability muscles to activate and function
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Corrective exercises to re-create natural stability and movement
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brought centre of mass back in line with gravity to help decrease future wear and tear, and pain
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THE WIN:
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Significant posture shift - now standing lifted without effort, and in-line with gravity
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pain free and moving with ease
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neck now stable, head sitting elevated and aligned
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knees and glutes now working together - proper stability restored​
SHOULDER & ARM PAIN - TO BALANCED AND FUNCTIONAL SHOULDERS
Before: shoulders stuck from unaddressed adhesions / scar tissue
After: shoulders and arms having ease of movement
THE PAIN (6 years):
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Injury: Fell from a significant height while paragliding, resulting in severe left shoulder pain and pins & needles down the arm.
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Impact on life: Constant discomfort, restricted movement, and nerve-related symptoms.​​
​THE PROBLEM​:
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Shoulders visibly uneven (back view)—left shoulder sitting too high.
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Stability muscles in the shoulders, trunk and hips no longer communicating together
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Strain between the shoulder blades—tight, overworked muscles compensating for the impact.
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Dense fascia build-up—almost scar tissue-like adhesions from the trauma, making movement stiff and restricted.
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​THE FIX (4 months):
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Fascia release series to break down built-up adhesions (fascia grows every day and get's more glue-like when it can't move) , free stuck nerves to create slide and glide and restore normal tissue function throughout the whole body - heavy focus on shoulders, trunk and neck
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Corrective exercises to realign shoulders, and reconnect the shoulders to the spine, neck and hips
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Focused on restoring evenness and movement without tension
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THE WIN:
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Posture Transformation – Even Shoulders, No More Pain & Numbness!
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Shoulders now level and moving with ease
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Nerve symptoms resolved—no more pins and needles down the arm
LOWER BACK, L5/S1 HERNIA, SI JOINT & HIP FLEXOR PAIN - - - FROM YEARS OF SUFFERING TO PAIN FREE MOVEMENT
White Line = Gravity Line. Our centre of mass needs to run through this point to avoid strain on joints and tissues.
Side View: gravity line starts slightly in front of the ankle bone, and needs to cross the middle of the knee, hip, shoulder and ear hole.
Yellow/ Red Line = Body's Centre of Mass. Ideally this line would be the same as the gravity line.
Before: Forward posture, muscles disengaged, body fighting against gravity.
After: Perfectly aligned in gravity, standing tall with ease, body naturally lifted.
THE PAIN (3 years):
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Pain/problem: Constant lower back pain with L5/S1 herniation, plus right-sided SI joint, piriformis, and hip flexor pain—right side significantly worse.
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Impact on life: Daily discomfort, just wants to feel like she can move like a normal person through her day
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THE PROBLEM​:​
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Forward posture—body not stacked properly, stability muscles disengaged.
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Right side more affected—SI joint, piriformis, and hip flexors under strain.
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Poor structural alignment—leading to compensation patterns and chronic tension.
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THE FIX (4 months):
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Fascia release series to restore balance and release restrictions.
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Corrective exercises to re-train stability muscles and reposition the body in gravity.
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Body now naturally stands with gravity instead of against it
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THE WIN:
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Huge Transformation
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Enjoying going about her day without the pain, and able to add sport back into her life
LOWER BACK PAIN, SCIATICA, BULGING & HERNIATED DISCS - - TO FABULOUS AND FUNCTIONAL FITNESS INSTRUCTOR!
White Line = Gravity Line. Our centre of mass needs to run through this point to avoid strain on joints and tissues.
Side View: gravity line starts slightly in front of the ankle bone, and needs to cross the middle of the knee, hip, shoulder and ear hole.
Yellow/ Red Line = Body's Centre of Mass. Ideally this line would be the same as the gravity line.
Before: Forward posture, muscles disengaged, centre of gravity running right through the area of pain creating the most wear and tear
After: back into full swing being a beast fitness instructor!
"Fiona is phenomenal. Fascia release helped me realign, reduce pain, and improve athletic performance as a fitness instructor. Couldn’t be more thankful that I happened along her studio by accident!"
THE PAIN (2 years on and off):
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Pain/problem: Chronic lower back pain, a bulging disc, and sciatica shooting down both legs.
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Impact on life: As a fitness instructor, pain was not only limiting her movement and performance, but her ability to work
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What she tried before: No lasting relief from traditional treatments.
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THE PROBLEM​:​
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stability muscles and movement patterns were mostly great, what we did find was extreme tightness throughout the body.
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Her history of hours of daily exercise combined with no stretching or foam rolling can lead to tissues that no longer slide and glide for ease of movement. Stiff muscles can lead to compression through the spine
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THE FIX (3 months):
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12 sessions of fascia work to undo tissue restrictions
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Focused on bringing her centre of mass back in line with gravity, so her lower back wasn’t bearing all the pressure.​
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NOTE: While fascia work is incredible for releasing what feels like decades of tightness and bringing the body back into alignment, its real power lies in preparing the body for lasting change. It creates the perfect foundation, and opens the door for corrective exercises to truly work their magic. Fascia work realigns the body beautifully—but to maintain those results long-term, pairing it with targeted corrective exercises is key.
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THE WIN:
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Pain-free movement.
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Improved posture and alignment.
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Better performance as a fitness instructor.
NECK AND SHOULDER PAIN
- BACK TO LIFTING HEAVY LOADS ON THE FARM ONCE AGAIN
White Line = Gravity Line. Our centre of mass needs to run through this point to avoid strain on joints and tissues.
Side View: gravity line starts slightly in front of the ankle bone, and needs to cross the middle of the knee, hip, shoulder and ear hole.
Yellow/ Red Line = Body's Centre of Mass. Ideally this line would be the same as the gravity line.
Before: Forward posture, muscles disengaged, body fighting against gravity.
"I was a client of Fiona’s for a neck and shoulder injury. I cannot rate her high enough for the work and remedial action that got me back into action."
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THE PAIN (2 years on and off):
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Pain/problem: Persistent left shoulder and neck pain that was limiting movement.
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Unable to find someone who could help, pain was getting worse
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Impact on life: Needed a solution that worked so he could get back to working on his farm
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THE PROBLEM​:​
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Left shoulder sitting too far away from the centre of gravity, making it less stable and causing the body to tighten the tissues there as a protective mechanism
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Shoulders and hips both sitting forward from the gravity line, revealing a full-body compensatory pattern leading to pain.
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Shoulders and neck need to sit on a stable foundation, without that they are kept in a dysfunctional position
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Previous treatment focussed just on the left shoulder and neck - this will be an endless cycle of undoing tightness, creating more wear and tear, and the body rebuilding tightness to protect because it's still not in a stable position.
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Previous work was 30 years, primarily standing, we can see his weight is shifted to the left
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THE FIX (4 months):
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Found a substantial amount of instabilities and restrictions throughout the body. Needed to undo 30 years of weight being distributed through the left leg.
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Full program of fascia and corrective exercises to re-create body balance
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Focused on realigning the entire body instead of just treating the shoulder.
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THE WIN:
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Back to working on his for without pain in his neck and shoulder
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An understanding of how is body works and how to keep functioning well
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Knows how to find alignment and stability for future imbalances
CHRONIC BACK, ANKLE & JAW PAIN
- TO FINALLY GETTING HER LIFE BACK AGAIN
" Fiona has given me my life back on two separate occasions. I first saw her years ago for back pain, and she gave me the tools to help myself.
A few years later, I injured my ankle, and for four years, I couldn’t go more than a few days without re-injuring it. I saw multiple specialists, and it got to the point where I was told I would likely need surgery.
Thankfully, I had a chance to come back to Sydney for a few months, and without hesitation, I contacted Fiona. Within a few weeks, my ankle had significantly improved, and my body felt more functional and less stuck.
Here I am, months later, and I haven’t fallen over since. I recently went on an off-track boulder-hopping hike and got up and down the mountain without even thinking about my ankle.
Fiona is worth every dollar she charges, and if you invest the time into yourself and follow her advice, you will no doubt see major improvements in your life."
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THE PAIN (4 years debilitating):
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Pain/problem: Significant issues throughout the body, mainly back and ankle.
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Impact on life: unable to move confidently. Missing her love of the outdoors. Having to see multiple specialists (physios, podiatrists, exercise physiologists, massage therapists) that focussed just on the ankle with no relief, and she was told surgery might be her only option.
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THE PROBLEM​:​
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Significant restrictions throughout her legs
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Pelvis rotation and altered spinal curves potentially caused by years of compensating for an ankle injury
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Poor stability from shift her weight unevenly for so long, potentially causing other muscles to tense up further up her body.
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THE FIX:
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Full fascia work and exercise programs over 4 months
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Corrected spinal and pelvis alignment
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Fascia work to reduce restrictions throughout the whole body to give her joints freedom of movement again
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Corrective exercise to re-create favourable movement patterns, stability and strength
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Full body approach, not just treating the ankle.
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Had some easy wins with improving her sleep and metabolism (energy)
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THE WIN:
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Is back doing outdoor adventures after 4 years off and convinced she wouldn't be able to again!
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Excellent stability over uneven surfaces without needing to think about her ankle
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Trusting her body again
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Better sleep, lower stress, and more energy
PERSISTENT LOWER BACK & HIP PAIN, NECK TENSION
- BACK TO FEELING STRONG, PLAYING TENNIS AND WEIGHTLIFTING
White Line = Gravity Line. Our centre of mass needs to run through this point to avoid strain on joints and tissues.
Side View: gravity line starts slightly in front of the ankle bone, and needs to cross the middle of the knee, hip, shoulder and ear hole.
Yellow/ Red Line = Body's Centre of Mass. Ideally this line would be the same as the gravity line.
Before: Forward posture, disengaged core and glute function. Poor weight lifting mechanics due to weight belt assist.
After: Aligned, balanced and working with gravity. No more pain, and able to lift heavier weight without an assist.
"Fiona’s structural integration program—working on fascia—really helped my mobility and alleviated persistent pain through my lower back and hips.
She is very skilful in her specialised work, and I thoroughly recommend her treatment to anyone needing to heal or strengthen their body in any way."
THE PAIN (3 years):
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Pain/problem: lower back and hip pain despite regular weight lifting and other exercise
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Impact on life: training hard but unknowingly putting herself at high risk for injury by lifting loads her body can't functionally do. Unable to train as much as she wants to.
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THE PROBLEM​:​
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Core function failing a 12kg lift - at home she lifts 50kg - to do this the body has to compensate, overtime this will create compensatory patterns when not done correctly. This is a common problem for weight lifters
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Severe hip torsion, one hip 15 degrees, the other 0 degrees (we want 10)
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​Neck tension likely due to compensations spreading up the chain. When stability muscles are weak, other muscles have to work harder.
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THE FIX (4 months):
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Fascia re-alignment to correct hip torsion, neck tension and spinal function
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targeted exercises to re-active the deep core muscles and restore spine and hip stability
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Taught how to lift safely​, and the purpose of a weight belt
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THE WIN:
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hips corrected to 10 degrees
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core re-engaged, reduced risk of disc injury
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went from failing 12kg lift to easily lifting 32kg without belt assistance
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lower back and hip pain significantly reduced
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stronger and safer movements
LOWER BACK PAIN FROM 4 YEAR OLD SPINE FRACTURE
- TO LIVING HIS BEST LIFE
White Line = Gravity Line. Our centre of mass needs to run through this point to avoid strain on joints and tissues.
Side View: gravity line starts slightly in front of the ankle bone, and needs to cross the middle of the knee, hip, shoulder and ear hole.
Yellow/ Red Line = Body's Centre of Mass. Ideally this line would be the same as the gravity line.
Before: Forward posture, muscles disengaged, body fighting against gravity. Lower back taking excessive load
After: living his best life
"This just made way more sense the way Fiona explained it, she said the opposite to what 4 years of specialists and practitioners said about my spine, but she took all these measurements and showed me why. "
THE PAIN (4 years):
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Pain/problem: Fractured lumbar spine from a fall, suffered excruciating pain for 4 years
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Impact on life: Years of pain, frustration and failed treatments
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THE PROBLEM​:​
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No one had actually measured his spine and hips, and he was given generic stretches for back pain that didn't address his specific dysfunctions
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pelvis misalignment
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lumbar spine was sitting at 5 degrees (too flat), we want it to be 15 degrees (more curve).
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THE FIX (1 month)
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1 mobility program and 4 massages
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when body is in great condition, sometimes it takes one change
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THE WIN:
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immediate relief after the first week (after such a long time suffering, this turn around is rare, but it shows you that a well conditioned body doesn't need much to get better, one tweak can make all the difference).
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real answers after years of guess-work
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understanding of his hips and spine dynamic
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This is a common issue I see when clients come in after years of trying everything with no results. They’ve often been given the wrong stretch—or told to do it in a way that doesn’t suit their body at all.
One of the most common ones? Hamstring stretches. Most people are told their hamstrings are tight, so they stretch the lower hamstring—over and over again. But the real issue might be the upper hamstring… or it might not be the hamstring at all.
A tight hamstring isn’t always a short hamstring. Sometimes it’s being pulled taut, like a guitar string, because something else is yanking on it. Other times, it’s the surrounding muscles that are the real problem. Without proper assessment, you're guessing. And guessing leads to wasted time and frustration.
RIGHT NECK, SHOULDER AND ARM PAIN
- TO FORGETTING SHE EVER HAD PAIN!
White line = gravity line. Our centre of mass needs to run through this point to avoid strain on joints and tissues.
Back view: gravity line starts in the middle of the feet and runs up the middle of our body, there should be even side to side distribution.
Yellow Line = Body's Centre of Mass. Ideally this line would be the same as the gravity line.
Before: Significant postural rotations starting from the legs/ hips. Right shoulder sitting too far way from her body's midline and base of support.
After: leg and hip rotations now gone, wrong base of support bringing the right shoulder back into a functional position.
Funny moment: Towards the end of our fascia series, I asked how the pain was going. She blinked and said, “What pain?” She had forgotten it ever existed. I had to show her her original form to remind her why she came in! Even her family was like, “Uh, yes, you were complaining non-stop.” That’s how the brain works—when it no longer needs to protect you, it lets go. Pain off, brain moves on.
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THE PAIN (1 year discomfort):
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Pain/problem: Chronic pain and discomfort that had been bothering her for 5 years
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Impact on life: This client is an artist, the pain forced to take breaks from doing art and unable to finish her pieces
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THE PROBLEM​:​
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Posture photos: Quite far off from being in line with gravity. Right shoulder and arm are quite far from the gravity line - anything that sits further away from it's base of support gets more wear and tear.
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Shoulder alignment and function relies on and needs to work with hip position and stability. We can see the shift and rotation in her hips
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Client had previously been given stretches and exercises just for her right shoulder. If something sits far away from its support, stretching it more away will make it worse, and giving just the shoulder exercises in this position isn't going to achieve much without correcting foundational stability
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Why don't other practitioners see this? Good question, I would also like to know the answer.
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THE FIX:
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Full program over 4 months : fascia work and corrective exercise
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This client had many restrictions and instabilities throughout her whole body​​
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THE WIN:
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gradual improvements so seamless she didn't realise the pain had gone!
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huge postural changes - her body is now working with gravity - hips and shoulders much more balanced and stable
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able to do art for hours and hours each week
20 YEARS OF PAINFUL FEET, SORE KNEES & SHOULDERS
- TO FINALLY FEELING EMPOWERED AND FREE
Posture: hips, knees and feet need to be in a straight line, a wide stance can indicates the body needing a wider base of support due to poor body stability. I copy and pasted the angle of the yellow lines in the before pic to the after pic to show the change in leg positioning.
" Fiona made me realise I had to prioritise my health and body. There are quite a few exercises I couldn't physically do yet and she easily adapted them to meet me where I was at. "
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THE PAIN (20+ years):
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Pain/problem: Excruciating foot pain, painful knees and shoulders, worsening over the 20 years, likely due to long hours on her feet as a nurse, years of night shifts taking a toll on her body
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Impact on life: constant discomfort, having to give up on nursing due to the pain. Both big toes have been surgically fused causing problems and limiting her options with movement, especially walking.
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THE PROBLEM​:​
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Not having time to work on herself
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Severe fascia restrictions in her legs and shoulders ​
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significant misalignment and imbalance in foot, leg and hip dynamics
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starting from a very de-conditioned place
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THE FIX (2 years on and off)
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learning how to incorporate self-care into her life
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Slow and steady progress, ups and downs along the way
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Got through a full fascia series undoing decades worth of deep-seated restrictions
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exercise became more and more frequent so we could get through all corrective programs
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took breaks when needed, life got in the way at times, but we kept coming back to the process
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THE WIN:
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big shift in feet, knee and hip stability
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shoulders felt more at ease and moving more freely
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prioritising her health and body after years of putting others first in nursing and family