| | In 2004, after years of bouts of chronic pain in my neck, shoulders, upper and lower back, a friend recommended that I call a Hellerworker. She explained that Hellerwork is structural integration, the same technique as Rolfing, but also includes posture and movement awareness and can incorporate more dialogue during treatments. I have heard positive stories about Rolfing and scheduled an appointment with Tucker Sharp, a Certified Hellerwork** Practitioner. Before I engaged in Hellerwork, I could have been a poster person for great health. For most of my adult life, I have been physically active and followed a healthy diet. My vital signs, cholesterol, blood sugar and blood pressure, are excellent, according to standard physical criteria. I have however experienced intermittent pain for years. I learned recently that I have a condition called scoliosis, a curvature of my spine, which causes my hips and shoulders to be imbalanced, my feet to be splayed rather than straight ahead and one side of my body to be heavier than the other, among other symptoms. And my unbalanced pelvis, related to the scoliosis, was constricting my upper body often causing me to feel like I was wearing a straight-jacket. I have also been a bit of a klutz, which I understand is both cause and effect of my intermittent pain. I have torn various soft tissues in my knees, and have had three arthroscopic knee surgeries. A torn rotator cuff in my shoulder has caused me intense pain, decreased mobility and limited range of motion. But I cured this condition with deep massage and three dozen anti-inflammatory shots, administered by a doctor whose treatment methods were on the dubious edge of medicine. To deal with and attempt to combat my intermittent, ongoing pain, I have engaged in various exercises, including swimming and yoga. I have seen a chiropractor regularly and received several kinds of massages, including deep tissue and shiatsu. I have learned that stress and the way I hold my body are likely contributing factors to pain, and make conscious efforts to relax and refrain from slumping while sitting at my computer. Yet, I have received little ongoing relief from my change in behavior. During my first Hellerwork session, Tucker Sharp worked on my entire body, applying very specific pressure and slow strokes to my muscles and connective tissues. As he worked, he used his hands and elbows, sometimes aided by the pressure of his entire body. He patiently explained that he was manipulating my entire myofascial system and undoing decades of stressful imbalances in my musculoskeletal system; muscles, connective tissues, bones, and joints. He added that when muscles and connective tissues are out of balance, the bones and joints they attach to are also out of balance, that the muscles must cross over joints in order to move body parts. In a perfect body, all of the muscles in the body are evenly balanced, allowing maximum range of motion in all directions at each joint. However, as we live our lives, experiencing a multitude of stress and trauma, the tension in muscles grows shorter or tighter than their counterparts. Over time, these imbalances result in pain and stiffness. As a veteran of chiropractic treatments, I thought my out-of-balance spine was causing my pain. And I do receive relief from chiropractic adjustments. Tucker explained that these treatments are a valuable adjunct to Hellerwork, but his form of bodywork approaches the body’s problems from a different perspective, from “the widely overlooked role connective tissues play in the body’s imbalances.” He says, “Every single muscle, organ, and bone, everything under the skin, is enveloped in and supported by connective tissues. Because of their chemical make-up, connective tissues can glue us into pain inducing patterns of imbalance. The longer these patterns are in place, the more laminated the tissues become. Over time, these imbalanced patterns become the new you.” Tucker concluded our first session by applying long, slow strokes to my upper body, neck and shoulders. I walked out of that session feeling deep relief from pain, as the stress in my neck area was largely gone. I continued to see Tucker for Structural Integration treatments every week or so for a total of 11 sessions. In my second session, he worked on my feet and lower legs, an integral aspect of the balancing of my entire body. The musculoskeletal system, he explained, is a comprehensive entity with each part relating to the others. In successive sessions, he worked his way up my body, concluding with work on my head. He also taught me how modify how I sit, stand and walk to facilitate the work and keep the integrated balancing in place. Tucker concluded each session by working on my neck and shoulder area. After our initial 11 sessions, I continue to see Tucker for tune-up work every three or four months. My scoliosis, while not completely healed, is greatly improved. And my pelvis is now balanced, resulting in removal of the constricted, straight-jacket like feeling in my upper body. After the 11 sessions, I severely banged my left knee into my bed frame, tearing my lateral meniscus. My work with Tucker for two months after that accident helped to further balance and strengthen my knee, minimizing the pain. Then I underwent my last arthroscopic surgery to repair the meniscus and, when sufficiently healed from surgery, saw Tucker for six sessions. He worked on my knee area and surrounding connective tissues, stretching the constricted muscles caused by the surgery, greatly facilitating the healing process. I also practiced yoga on a regular basis. Today my left knee, on which I have endured two surgeries, the previous one due to a torn cartilage, is as good as new. I am convinced that I will never need knee replacement. The benefits I have received from ongoing Hellerwork are numerous and dramatic. I feel lighter, stronger, younger and more flexible than I have in years. And I am no longer a klutz. Tucker Sharp CHP, Structural Integration Teacher, is at 350 E. 17th St. Suite 208, Costa Mesa, Ca. 92627. 714-321-8190. tucker@balanceme.com. www.balanceme.com **Tucker is no longer a Hellerworker. He is an independent Structural Integration Practitioner. Liz Goldner, an Orange County based freelance writer has published in Women in the Arts, Laguna Life & People, Orange County Register, Squeeze OC, OC Metro, Body Beautiful, Orange Coast and Riviera, among others. lizgoldner@ca.rr.com. www.lizgoldner.net |
