In 2008, I heard about Pain Free Performance which was started by Susy Russell and Cindy Meyers, who I knew were in Physical Therapy. I had been to numerous spine specialists and to numerous alternative medicine practitioners. The medications that were prescribed helped to a degree, but none had been able to make me free of my severe sciatic pain or my very severe pain caused by Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD) also referred to as Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS). In effect, my caregivers were telling me that I would have to learn to manage and/or "live with" the pain. For me, managing the pain meant planning each day's activities carefully, so that I would not end up bed for a day or two --- literally writhing in pain. I decided to the Egoscue method a try. Each day, I faithfully do the e-cises that Susy prescribes me; and I AM MORE THAN THRILLED WITH THE RESULTS. Before Egoscue, I would have to leave UVA football games at half-time because of unbearable sciatic and or RSD pain. Not anymore! For the past two years I have been able to stay and enjoy the games with minimal discomfort. At basketball games, because of the narrow space between the rows at the JPJ Arena, my pain would start up and my foot would swell since I could not stretch my leg out to a comfortable length. I wouldn't leave the game early, but by the time I go home I was a wreck and my next day would be spent in severe pain. Because Egoscue has helped me get my pain under control, that is all changed. I can once again enjoy the basketball games. I still can't stretch out my left leg, but the pain doesn’t overwhelm me and I'm fine the next day. In fact, I still have some level of pain each day - but it is bearable. I have very few "down days" and I can't remember when I last spent a day in bed because of pain. Not to be trite, but, Egoscue and Susy have given me "a new lease on life."

- Betty Haas

Susy, I want to tell you how great I feel.  The truth is, I was in so much pain before I didn't even care anymore.  I didn't think anything would help and I never dreamed my knee would get better.  There is a sign in your office that says "motion=health".  Oh how true that is.  I am aware of my body in a way I have never experienced.  I still have a ways to go and I want the numbness to go away, but I can move.  I have walked around in wonder at the fact I can move, and mostly without pain!  I feel more stable, and oddly enough more graceful.  Well, graceful has never been a term to describe me, but there is a fluidity of movement I can't remember experiencing.

Pain gets old and makes us old and cranky. My outlook on the world has changed as well. I'm sure Pain Free Performance won't solve world hunger tomorrow -- but just maybe...

Cindy, Magical is the only word to describe how I feel.  For the first time in years, my knee does not hurt – at all!!!!!!!!!!!  When I get up in the middle of the night, I realized that I habitually held onto the dresser, a chair back, and limp my way to the bathroom.  With my hand on the dresser, I stopped and realized I didn’t need to hold on.  WOW!  Thank you for a truly pain free performance! All the best,

Sugie B.

I've been coming to Pain Free since its inception. I have a severe back deformity and without Pain Free, I'd be in a lot of pain. It has kept me from needing surgery- even my doctors are amazed!

The most significant experience for me was realizing this was a "do it yourself" program of exercises to develop and improve body wellness. All I can say is THANK YOU!!

I am grateful to Pain Free Performance for helping me with my back and neck pain. Everyone I worked with was professional and compassionate and treatments made a huge difference in my symptoms. Pain Free Performance also gave me strategies to help with recurrences in the future. Thank you! I would happily recommend Pain Free Performance to my patients and friends.

Andrea Tribastone M.D.

Susy saw me for my initial evaluation when I came in with the goal of improving my posture and learning techniques to reduce the chances of developing kyphosis (rounded upper back) like my Dad had to a severe degree in his old age. With her help, and Cindy's help on my follow up visits, I have achieved much more than that. Because of the immediate changes that I noticed with the prescribed stretches and isometrics, and because of your efforts to help me understand the mechanics and rationale behind each maneuver, I was completely sold on the Egoscue Method. The before and after photographs were particularly informative.

It has been a year and half and I still look forward to my routines.... they at the same time relax and invigorate me. I also give Pain Free Performance at least partial credit for allowing me to train for and complete a sub 4 hour marathon (my first) without injury-all previous attempts having ended in the training phase due to injury.

At age 48, the Egoscue Method started an exciting learning process that I know is far from over and that is the most exciting part. Thanks to you both, I’m getting older but NOT more stooped.

Chip Whitworth M.D.

“NO SURGERY!” That’s what I said to myself almost two years ago. It was the middle of Spring 2007 and I was advised that I needed a hip implant after seeking consultation with an orthopedist. Pain became a common part of my daily life. What options did I have?

By sheer luck, while at a Barnes and Noble store somewhere in the Midwest, I happened to have been walking in the health section and noticed several books on pain treatment. One book in particular caught my attention…Pain Free, by Peter Egoscue.

As a Podiatric Physician and surgeon, in practice for many years in the Bay Area of San Francisco, I recognize the effects of joint destruction such as wear and tear and overuse that often occurs with age or trauma. The end result is usually pain, caused by bone on bone contact and wearing down of joint cartilage. It’s not uncommon then to understand that pain becomes the symptom that influences the way we function both physically and psychologically.

After reading Pain Free, I thought this might be something to pursue as an alternative to surgery, even though my orthopedist said I would be back to have that hip implant. Now, two years later, I am significantly better! After following a treatment plan created by the team at Pain Free Performance, who utilize the Egoscue method, I am able to sleep without pain, walk and do my daily activities with minimal or no discomfort. Most importantly, I don’t regularly take any of those anti-inflammatory medications which were only temporary relief. In my experience, it is apparent that surgery doesn’t always have to be the first alternative.

OK, so what is the Egoscue method? It is a methodology that evaluates the entire body biomechanics and, through gravity assisted exercise, rebalances the muscles to provide proper function thus reducing stress and wear and tear on the joints. Does it work? Reduce pain? Increase function and motion? Simply, YES!

THANK YOU PAIN FREE PERFORMANCE!

MARK G. DRUSIN, DPM

Before starting Egoscue I knew my mobility was spiraling downward at a rapid rate.  It was becoming increasingly more painful to walk and stand.  In fact, so much so that when I saw someone in a wheel chair I wondered if that might be me in five years.  Since joining the program I've overcome one problem after another and what were once large issues have now become subtle annoyances.  One easy measure: I used to carry and frequently use aspirin.  Now I only rarely take one.  With success has also come the peace of mind and confidence knowing I have the power and ability to influence and control my mobility as I age.

When I started my program, I couldn't decide which was more painful my feet or knees.  There was only one pair of shoes I could wear with any comfort and even then I could only stand or walk for a maximum of 10 to 30 minutes before the pain got the best of me.  I dreaded standing after sitting for any length of time because of the sharp pains in my feet. Walking and balance was made more difficult by my toes grabbing the ground like claws.  As for my knees, I would experience periodic concussion like incidents which caused debilitating pain and swelling keeping me immobile for several days while guzzling aspirin.

Now after three years I no longer worry about walking, I have several pairs of comfortable shoes, and my toes no longer are curled.  My knees aren't perfect and I still have joint pains.  But I've had no immobilizing incidences requiring massive doses of aspirin.  In fact, now I rarely take an aspirin at all.

The services provided at Pain Free are excellent.  The entire staff is knowledgeable and well trained. More than that, they genuinely care about their client's well-being and comfort.  You know that if you have a problem they will address it with the expertise and time it takes to diagnose the source and correct it or direct you to the resources that will.  I not only have complete confidence and respect for each and every one of them, I also consider them to be my friends.

"I did want to let you know that although I did not have a chance to do any Egoscue the week I was gone other than a few cat and dogs, my back did EXCELLENT! I even did some of the shore dives walking in and out of the water geared up. We did a night dive at the resort which has a really easy entry (gradual decline, mostly sandy bottom, and hardly any surf), that I geared up and walked approximately 50 yards with all 70 lbs. of gear on! I was almost as excited about that as I was the two seahorses I found on the dive! My husband was thrilled as well, and mentioned several times what a difference these past 7 months with Egoscue has made. Now there’s a testimonial for you!":)

Joyce W.