On the occasion of my 69th birthday, I celebrated with a special, extended workout that included a set of 10 pull-ups and several other body-weight exercises. But the most important and most appreciated dimension of my body on that day and all others was the pain-free freedom of movement I enjoyed, the product of an exercise focus on flexibility, stretching, balance and core strength.
The great change in my workouts came when I approached Denise Schwartz at The Manual Touch in Wheeling to rehabilitate an injured shoulder a year ago.
Denise has a very rational approach to physical therapy: we didn’t focus just on my shoulder, but on my entire body. Because all things are connected, my shoulder injury was the product of how my entire body was reacting to movement and stress, not just the shoulder joint. For example, she diagnosed a lack of flexibility and range of motion in my hips and provided a series of exercises to improve that condition. She also gave me new exercises for enhancing balance and core strength.
The result of my work with Denise was a rehabilitated shoulder, and much more. The chronic stiffness and soreness I’ve had in my lower back for years has disappeared (except when I have a virus). I walk, sit, and jog more comfortably than I have in many years. The pleasure of movement has helped my mental/emotional outlook, too, making it easier for me to lose a few pounds of weight I don’t need and enjoy long walks in the forest preserve and the Botanical Gardens.
I have recommended Denise’s work to my friends without qualification. I’ve dealt with other physical therapists, good ones, but her holistic approach to body health is unique in my range of experience and vastly superior in the long run. I got a good-as-new shoulder out of the deal, but I also got a life-changing improvement in my total body.
