Posts Tagged ‘neck’


Feldenkrais and whiplash

April 24th, 2009 by Sarah

Thank you Claire, for sending your story today.

I still remember our first session and how little we were able to do. And now to look back and see that each of the small steps have accumulated to allow greater comfort and improved ability for you to live each day independently – this is why I have chosen this way of working. I feel honoured to be a part of your journey through this part of your life.

Here are the first couple of paragraphs of Claire’s story:

In April 2005, I was involved in a head-on car crash. The result was internal and surface bruising, swelling and a bad whiplash among other injuries. For months I went to a ‘normal’ physiotherapist and experienced pain that at times was worse than the injuries themselves.

After two years I recovered physically. However, the pain in my neck returned and I knew it needed more treatment.

A close friend told me about a different form of physiotherapy called Feldenkrais and recommended the name of a clinic to attend. It was here that I met Sarah Wiin and my life began to change.

Read more.


Working with Golf Injuries

April 22nd, 2009 by Sarah

Recently I was invited to speak to the ladies at the Mosman Park Golf Club open day.

I have worked with a few of the members who have had a variety of injuries, including:

  • back pain
  • neck pain
  • shoulder pain
  • knee pain

I spoke about one keen golfer who had knee pain on and off for a few years. I observed her golf swing and noticed that she tended to twist in her painful knee joint quite forcefully. I asked about what she would like to improve with her golf, she said

“the pro says I need to rotate more through my spine”.

The course of action was further clarified by other assessments and I directed my attention:

  • to acute care for her knee,
  • talked with her about how to care for it herself,
  • gave her an exercise to help her learn how to turn through her spine and
  • related these to playing golf.

Two appointments later she came in and said

“I’m just here to tell you my knee is fixed and my golf has improved. Thank you.”

Charmaine’s story is another example of the possible relationship between Feldenkrais and golf.

When I asked for questions from the floor we were lead into a discussion about warm up. I’ll write a post on warm up for golf soon.

I was encouraged by the thank you card I recieved from the ladies

“… The talk was excellent, has been much discussed and has inspired many of the ladies to take your advice and do your warm up exercises before the game. …”


Golf and life

February 16th, 2009 by Sarah

Charmaine has contributed the first in a series of Stories of Feldenkrais.

Her story shows you don’t necessarily have to accept what life seems to be throwing at you:

… over the last 10 years (I) have become accustomed to all kinds of people, health professionals and others, telling me that I just have to become accustomed to the various aches and pains, that I must accept that I can’t always do what I used to take for granted .. I can now walk easily and the benefits have spread to all the things that I do that require walking! This has been so life affirming. I thought the problem was here to stay, a permanent and debilitating part of getting older …

As for the golf? Even better. Read Charmaine’s Story: Feldenkrais, Golf and Life