| Sharon Johnson, a patient who suffered for years | | | | foods from her diet to release her body from the |
| with fibromyalgia, had trouble finding a treatment | | | | histamines of an allergic reaction. This is another |
| that would ease the constant pain of her illness. A | | | | lifestyle change that has improved her |
| registered nurse who worked in outpatient | | | | fibromyalgia symptoms. |
| surgery, she was diagnosed with fibromyalgia in | | | | Sharon says, "A Trager session feels like relief. |
| August of 1990. Her muscles constantly ached, as | | | | Warm and fuzzy. I just feel that the muscles of |
| if she had over exercised or was suffering from | | | | my body have let go and there is that peace, |
| the flu. For years, she and her internal medicine | | | | that relief, almost that same feeling that you get |
| physician tried all the treatments that Western | | | | just before you drop off to sleep at night. It is |
| medicine could offer. Finally, the physician asked | | | | like when you are just so comfortable that |
| her if she was willing to try alternatives. | | | | everything is OK." |
| She was slightly skeptical because she'd tried | | | | After four sessions, she asked, "How do I learn |
| chiropractics in the past and hadn't received much | | | | to do this? If this can help me this much, it can |
| relief. But finally she told him, "I am willing to try | | | | help others." She attended conferences to learn |
| anything to try and get rid of this pain. I can't go | | | | the techniques, and encouraged her husband to |
| on like this." After several acupuncture sessions, | | | | learn the techniques as well. They are a great |
| the pain had not lessened. "I want you to try the | | | | support to each other, providing healing and |
| Trager Approach," her acupuncturist said. | | | | release when the other is in need of it. |
| During Sharon's first visit, she was surprised to | | | | After working as a full time nurse, Sharon offers |
| note that while she didn't feel any pain during her | | | | services as a Trager practitioner on a part-time |
| session, she also didn't feel much at all. The | | | | basis. She finds, though, that giving Trager |
| practitioner inquired about her clenched fist. Once | | | | sessions also provides her with relief from tension |
| she noticed the clenched fist and released it, she | | | | and pain in her own body. She credits the unique |
| felt a sense of relaxation in her arm and hand. | | | | process of relaxing her own body in order to read |
| She realized her entire body was locked in a | | | | what is happening in her client's body with part of |
| closed-fist pattern of tension. How would it feel to | | | | the healing she feels. By helping another to slip into |
| release all of her muscles? | | | | free, easy movements, she eases her own body |
| After several sessions, the Trager work helped | | | | into a similar state. |
| her experience relaxation in her entire body. The | | | | With several fibromyalgia clients of her own, |
| Trager sessions have brought her pain level from | | | | Sharon recognizes the special needs of that group. |
| a daily 6 or 7 to a 2 or 3. Before her Trager | | | | She's eager to learn more about how Trager can |
| appointments began, she thought she was soon | | | | help these sufferers, as well as others with |
| to be permanently disabled. Now, 17 years later, | | | | chronic pain, to regain pain-free use of their |
| she is working 40 and sometimes 46 hours a | | | | bodies. One of the challenges is the small amount |
| week! She says, "I can't believe that I am | | | | of movement that the clients can tolerate. |
| physically able to do what I am able to do. I credit | | | | Though the effects are still long-lasting, the |
| it to Trager-all of it." | | | | practitioner must make progress slowly. Sharon |
| She has learned to pay more attention to her | | | | cautions her clients to tell her immediately if |
| body's signals. She says, "When I catch myself at | | | | something hurts or feels achy. And she urges |
| work hunching over a computer or I feel my | | | | clients that practice Mentastics to take special |
| muscles, I say "I am tight." I stop and take a | | | | note of what their bodies are signaling. At any |
| deep breath and kind of let them go. I have | | | | sign of fatigue or pain, they should stop for some |
| learned through Trager how to do that. It is | | | | time and try again later in the day. Even a few |
| fantastic!" | | | | minutes of Mentastics a day can be helpful, and |
| As a Trager client with fibromyalgia, Sharon still | | | | Sharon encourages people to practice them |
| has limitations on her sessions. While in a Trager | | | | wherever they are -sitting at a desk, walking |
| session, the practitioner must work more slowly | | | | down the hall, or in an elevator. |
| with her than with usual clients, because she tends | | | | Teaching people how to pay attention to their |
| to stiffen up even with free, easy movements. | | | | bodies and know what to do based on their |
| Sharon also practices Mentastics®, the | | | | signals is the goal of Sharon's practice. She |
| ongoing mental/physical movements that | | | | believes strongly in offering people an alternative |
| complement the Trager sessions. | | | | to the stressed, tensed muscles that we suffer |
| After getting involved with Trager, Sharon also | | | | from in modern life. What would it be like if people |
| learned that she was gluten intolerant. Her allergist | | | | had less tension? What would be possible? |
| recommended removing all wheat and gluten | | | | |