From an Olympic AthleteIf you have ever lived with pain, you know how it takes over your life. Pain in my calves had totally changed my life. I was a mother of an eight-year-old and an 11-year-old. I could do nothing that required running, skipping, walking or standing for any period of time. A dreamed of trip to Disneyland was out of the question.
Fitness and exercise had been my life. I made the United Sates Olympic Team in the 1972 in the high jump, earned two degrees in Sports Science and Human Movement and built one of the most successful fitness businesses in the UK. About 15 years ago my calves began straining after going for a run or teaching aerobics. I started visiting specialists to find out why. Over the next decade my bank balance went down as my calf pain went up. I saw sports specialists, podiatrists, orthopedic surgeons, chiropractors, physiotherapists, and neurologists. Less than helpful advice ranged from "wear high heels" to “we can't find anything wrong." I began to view myself as disabled and begged off participating in my kid’s sports days, hikes or anything movement related.
For a former Olympian, this was a depressing shift in self-image. Then a coach recommended I visit Gary Gilbert's Rolfing practice. I flew from Great Britain to Sacramento for treatment. The inauspicious surroundings and the affordability of the programs he offered surprised me. Gary went straight to work. Within two days the pain reduced dramatically. I felt like an athlete again. I couldn't believe the difference. I had been in pain for well over 10 years and in a matter of days I could move freely without pain. Within one week I walked all over Disneyland with my children. What a gift!
To any one who has the responsibility of keeping an athletics program going, whether high school, college, or professional, Gary Gilbert's program should be mandatory. He will keep your athletes healthy. To any individual who lives with pain, get to Gary as soon as you can. Affordable, non-invasive, effortless (it is pleasurable, if you enjoy firm massage) and results driven, Gary's treatments truly are remarkable.
With the highest recommendations,
Cindy Snow
From a Dental Hygienist
Have you ever been in a position where you have worked your whole life to get to where you are, only to be told by doctors that due to your pain you should pick a new profession? Well, that is exactly where I was five years ago. However, thanks to Gary Gilbert and his amazing knowledge, I now work pain free as a dental hygienist four to five days a week, Thank you Gary, for giving me back the profession that I love!
Jeanne M. Godett. Roseville, CA
From a person working in an office, and weekend hiker
With patience, consummate professionalism, and humor, Gary guided me through my 10-session Rolfing series. I learned a lot about how time and gravity had affected my posture and movement patterns, and he taught me how to move in more efficient ways and develop healthier patterns. The combination of hands-on structural integration, movement practice, educational materials, and useful visualizations provided an excellent experience. I applied this knowledge during a moderately strenuous,
three-day hike and found the going much easier than expected. Gary's lessons have stayed with me.
I would recommend Gary Gilbert’s Rolfing expertise to anyone seriously seeking pathways to health.
Catharine Liddicoat, Sacramento, CA
From a Registered Nurse
For years, I had a recurring back injury that started when I was 29 years old. I was referred to Gary several years ago as he was going through his Rolfing training and the difference is unbelievable. Whenever I would have the problem, I would see him and by the end of the session, I could move again. I very rarely have any problems now and I owe it all to Gary. I have moved to the Bay Area, and I have been looking for someone to replace him, and I have yet to do so. He rocks!!!!
Laura Beltramini
From a person in chronic pain
Thank you very much Gary!
I'm sure what you have done has helped improve my physical condition. I also want to thank you for treating, guiding, and helping me in many ways out of this painful state I have been stuck in. I'm amazed at the great amount of progress we have made in such a short amount of time. Rolfing, your knowledge, your experience, and the way you practice your healing talent is exactly what I need to get well once again.
I will proudly refer you and will forever thank you.
Sincerely,
Zack Seeger
From a Retired Psychologist
Gary,
On November 1, 2006, I was involved in a car accident that left me with considerable neck and shoulder pain. My primary physician recommended physical therapy. After a regimen of hot and cold compresses and exercises, I felt little improved, so I decided to try Rolfing which I had heard about from various massage therapists. Rolfing had usually been characterized as deep tissue work, quite intense and possibly hurtful. After making inquiry about the three Board Certified Rolfers in my geographical area, I contacted Gary Gilbert, RN, of Fair Oaks.
After answering a few health questions and describing my pain, we began by talking about body organization and the systematic releasing of the sheath wrapped around the body. I was soon releasing the sheath wrapped around the body. I was soon made to realize that good posture is not the immobile "stand up straight" I had during childhood and in the army; rather, it is a systematic fluidity that involves alignment which compliments structure. My sense of lightness that has resulted from informed breathing has made movement of any kind more enjoyable.
Each week I was presented with "homework" - things to notice after each session. Rolfing was truly interactive and made me feel I was collaborating with Gary in the understanding and awareness of my body and its relationship to gravity.
The 10 sessions were personally beneficial, as each week I felt more pliable and free. My only regret is that I waited until I was 78 years old to experience Rolfing. In summary, I unconditionally recommend Gary Gilbert as a true professional educator and guide in Rolfing.
/s/ Don F. Sagner
Retired Psychologist
From a Bio-Med Technician
After badly injuring my body from my neck to my toes 10 years ago, I underwent years of drug therapy and physical therapy with out relief. I resorted to Acupuncture. Acupuncture gave me a great deal of relief, but it could not help me with the muscle spasms I have endured for all these years. My limited mobility, muscle spasms, and pain made it very difficult to do simple household tasks like making the bed, laundry, yard work, sitting at my desk, or even just walking without dragging my foot. The shoulder injury I sustained made it very painful to wear a bra due to the strap placements. Repetitive arm movements are something I gave up years ago. I have not slept through the night without waking up in pain for 10 years. When I get up, I am stiff and in pain.
After my first session with Gary, I sleep through the night pain free. When I got up the pain and the stiffness is gone. Wearing a bra was no longer painful. Normally I stripped the bed with the aid of medications, and then I had to wait about three to four hours before I could make the bed, then I suffered afterwards. Now I can strip and make the bed without pain, and without medications.
After years of pain, stiffness, and muscle spasms, caused by my injury, I was no longer aware of how much mobility I had lost. After my first session I found that I could move freer, without pain, and do almost anything in a normal manner. I no longer drag my foot.
Gary, Thank you so much,
E.S. DeBiasi
From a Registered Nurse
Hi Gary,
Just a note to thank you for our good work on my neck and shoulders. I learned about Rolfing while watching Opra and Dr. Oz. I was going to Physical Medicine for my pain. Then I went to you and you helped me more. There is no longer any pain in my neck and arm. You were very professional and knowledgeable about the human body and how it works. I used to use a heating pad every night – no longer. You gave me many positive ideas that helped me improve.
I am very thankful to have gone to you, and I would be honored to recommend you to anyone interested Certified Rolfing.
Thank you for your help, and best wishes.
David Grimm, R.N.
From an Executive Secretary
My experience with Gary Gilbert and his professional service as a Rolfer were beyond anything I could have every hoped! Not only did the back pain I had been experiencing stop, I was able to completely stop my pain medications! I was water-skiing and dancing within one week of seeing Gary! If I had not experienced this myself, I would have been skeptical. At the time this was recommended, I was desperate! My "Western-Medical" practitioner had done all that was available to him and the pain was still unbearable. I will be forever grateful that Gary Gilbert is a Rolfer and that I was blessed to find his services! I have been passing out his cards like crazy because of the amazing results I personally received.
My four-year-old grandson left his toy car in the hallway on my hardwood floors. Since it was directly in the path, I did not see it and went flying! My 29 year-old daughter who witnessed my fall, said I looked like a cartoon character with both of my feet flying out from under me when I landed HARD on my lower back. My conventional western medicine doctor sent me for an X-ray and found no broken bones, so I was sent to a Physical Therapist. The PT left me is so much pain that I was now being sent to get an MRI. After the MRI, I was told that I had soft-tissue damage, bruised bones, and pinched nerves in my lower back. My doctor now wanted me to go to a "Neurologist" (a nerve specialist) to find a way so I would not feel the pain. I had been taking Vicodin every 4 hours and prescription strength ibuprofen as prescribed. It barely touched the pain. I thought I had nothing to lose and it frightened me to go to a Neurologist. I wanted a cure, not just a way to keep from feeling the pain. Luckily, a friend suggested I see a Rolfer.
I am truly blessed that I am able to move freely and have my life back! I can play with my eight grandchildren again! The old stigma attached to this long practiced healing art is not at all what I experienced.
Thank you Gary!
Linda Miller