CLIENT CASES
CLIENT CASE 1: NEUROLOGY
J is a 33-year-old psychologist, who was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis at age 28. She first came to Central Balance a few months after being diagnosed, seeking for a safe method to exercise and manage the symptoms of MS.
She had been experiencing altered sensations and loss of strength in the L side of her body, as well as recurrent inflammation of her L eye. By that time, she had experienced 2 relapses of her condition, which are periods of time when the symptoms increase and may cause deterioration of the affected areas. Secondary, musculoskeletal problems had also began to present, such as deterioration of the cartilage in her left knee and left sided lower back pain. This caused her quality of life and confidence, to be affected in many ways.
We decided to begin with a combination of physiotherapy and gentle clinical Pilates exercises to relieve the symptoms of her knee and lower back, as well as bring a sense of calmness, restoration and vitality back to her nervous system.
Since then, J has been attending Clinical Pilates sessions at least twice per week religiously. She has not had a relapse since 2015 and her symptoms hardly affect her professional and personal life. She only needs the occasional physiotherapy treatment after sitting at the office for too long, or following a strenuous activity which works fast to bring her back to her fully active and happy self.
Client testimonial:
“I’ve been attending classes for many years and they have been one of the most valuable investments I have ever made for myself! The experienced and highly professional instructors can pinpoint the exact issues which rise up, due to my medical condition and always plan holistic interventions tailored to my personal needs. With an eye for detail, they were able time after time to alleviate any discomfort and pain without the use of any medication. Just by using my body, my muscles and my strengths as tools for therapy. All this along with the very friendly, humane, safe and professional environment they provide at the centre, makes them number one in their field! I would highly recommend their services for either therapy, maintenance or recreation!” J. D.
CLIENT CASE 2: RHEUMATOLOGY
When we first met Mrs A. she was suffering from many symptoms, including lower back pain, neck and shoulder pain, as well as a painful L knee. Being diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis at 27, as well as Ulcerative Colitis and Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) later on in her life, she had been through an array of specialists, concerning her multiple symptoms, from doctors for medical treatment, to homeopathy for more natural remedies and physical therapists, for her functional maintenance and alleviation of her chronic pain. However, she still seemed to struggle to maintain her energy and wellness, as a busy owner of an English private school and creative writer and poet in her free time, if and when she had any.
We took a clinical, but holistic approach to Mrs A’s situation and began with Physiotherapy sessions to encourage as much movement as possible, to her much restricted skeletal system. This was combined with a particular focus to her breath patterns, which meant lots and lots of breathing, as well as gentle mobilisation exercises, during private clinical Pilates sessions, where we could keep a close eye on her individual needs. Mrs A progressed fast, and eventually began to join semi private Pilates sessions, needing less and less physiotherapy as her symptoms began to decrease and stabilise.
Today, she is happily joining 3 sessions per week, as part of a group. She is able to enjoy her work and hobbies with so much more ease and we are so proud of her progress!
Client testimonial:
“Thank God Central Balance was recommended to me three years ago. I have found so much support for my many and complicated problems, ranging from scoliosis to ankylosing spondylitis and colitis, that I never stop joining the classes even in the summer. After the lock - down I was about to panic, so I was relieved to hear that Central Balance could still support us through online classes! After each session I feel I am a couple of inches taller and I can breathe more easily. Thank you Christina, Maria and Elektra for taking care of us. Keep up the good work!” A.A.
CLIENT CASE 3: Pre and post operative care: Lower Back Pain (Lumbar Discectomy)
E. visited our practice, while waiting for surgery, for a large disc herniation in her lower back and a condition known as Sacralisation of the L5 lumbar vertebrae, where the segment fuses to the sacral portion, of the lower back. She was in a lot of pain and discomfort, finding it difficult to be in any position for any period of time. Even lying down was painful, and at the age of 34 her quality of life was greatly reduced, having to alleviate her symptoms using cushions, plasters and hot water bottles all the time. Sitting for long periods at her desk, as a financial manager at the company she works at, was becoming increasingly difficult.
The priority with E, was education and self management of her symptoms at work and at home, mainly to make her overall experience more comfortable, but also to prepare her body for the operation, it was about to undergo. The priority was about teaching correct positioning, transitional movement techniques and using the correct supportive props, to prevent aggravation and protect the problematic area. Gradual and gentle activation of the correct muscle groups and releasing any tightness and muscle spasm, began to give her some relief and confidence regarding her situation.
As planned, after 2 weeks of preparation, E attended surgery overseas and returned to us for her post operative treatment, a few weeks later. Initially she experienced high sensitivity, pain and discomfort during most of her activities, however she quickly began to strengthen and progress through a combination of Physiotherapy and clinical Pilates sessions. A year later, she is now a regular with her Pilates semi- private sessions, which are always tailored to her needs, keeping her strong, active and mostly pain free. She is able to work and do most things she loves, with more and more ease every day.
Client testimonial:
“A year ago I had a surgery to remove a herniated disc in the L4/L5 level of my spine, as I had severe lower back pain, radiating to my left leg. Since being allowed to restart physiotherapy, I returned to Central Balance and am amazed by the great team, assisting me every step of my recovery. In every session I see the progress made. Without pain, posture changes, gaining strength and flexibility. I highly recommend Central Balance if you need a great empathetic team on your side assisting your recovery.” E.B.
CLIENT TESTIMONIALS
1. Post Natal Case
“It was November 2015, 6 months after my second child was born. I was still pregnant (in kilos), but I noticed that a new center had opened next to my house, at a 3 minutes walking distance. I saw a reformer in the window and felt like the universe had heard my prayers, because I couldn’t exercise as before, having just had a baby and also experiencing back pain and right arm pain. I thought it was probably from being overweight! This is meant to be, I thought, as I had used the reformer in the past, so I went for it! Well, it turns out that it was the best decision of my life! Step by step, with patience and persistence, my body’s posture has improved along with my back pain, which turned out to be the issue discovered, following a thorough assessment by the team. My arm pain has also steadily decreased. It was not only the reformer, but the holistic approach, including physiotherapy sessions, but mainly by doing specialized Pilates exercises on all sorts of large and smaller equipment! I do have my ups and downs, as I also have a Scoliosis and Hemiplegic Migraines, which I suffered with, in my twenties. These are a rare type of headache which involve numbness and tingling, followed by temporary loss of strength of the one side of the body and temporary loss of site. However, the team at Central Balance are always able to take all my needs into consideration and offer me the confidence to manage my symptoms, keeping them under control and very manageable.
With the help of Christina (who examined me firstly and monitors the progress of her team), Electra and most of all Maria, I am now a new person. I can skip many things in my life, but never my sessions with them, because the quality of my life is improved so much! I recommend the studio and all of them who give their souls to their work, without any reservations. This has been the best investment to myself for a better life. Thank you for coming into my life CENTRAL BALANCE TEAM! I am so grateful and will follow you always... Excellent team! ”
— Olga Mayona, 39.
2. Sport Specific Case
“Hi everyone. My name is Giannis Gregoriou and I am a professional exercise instructor in a busy gym, as well as a lover of physical activity and movement. I am happy, healthy and in a magical physical state of well being. In the winter of 2015, I was diagnosed with a tear in the Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) of my right knee, which was an injury I sustained while surfing. Three, out of the four specialist orthopaedic consultants which I had seen, suggested surgery with no hesitation. The fourth surgeon gave me a glimpse of hope, that I may be able to avoid it. This hope turned into confidence, when I found Central Balance. The team at the centre is highly professional, specializing in their field, which promotes trust. With them, the tiniest of change, realization and improvement in the human body is celebrated as a success. With this approach my case was also managed, building my own puzzle little by little, with the greatest of patience and positivity. I have never been in need of any surgical intervention since, as I continue to enjoy several extreme sports, with no problems whatsoever.”
— Giannis Gregoriou, 36
3. Sport Specific Case
“If I were asked to describe my experience, ever since I joined Central Balance family, with one phrase, this would be: Significant improvement on the quality of my life. This is a result of an honest interest in my wellbeing, accompanied with the top professionalism of all the Central Balance staff. Their professionalism was evident from my first day at Central Balance, which was truly surprising, since being an athlete for many years has offered me a lot of experience and interaction with health and rehabilitation centers, none of which has been as comprehensive as Central Balance”
— Pantelis Mylona, 25
4. Neuro-musculoskeletal Case
“Over the past few years, I’ve had several injuries and body pain ranging from loss of height in the joint space of my right hip, a partial anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear, a lumbar, as well as a cervical (neck) disc herniation. It was my neck problems which led me to visit Central Balance, as I had been experiencing severe headaches eye pain and problems with my vision. Flexibility and mobility had never been my strongest points, and I suspected that the wrong way of exercising and moving in my daily life, was the actual reason for many of my issues mentioned. When some of my symptoms became more severe a friend told me about Central Balance and how they could help me manage my condition. Indeed, the team is very professional, looking at every little detail of my medical record before creating a program that would help me overcome my issues. I am attending semi-personal clinical Pilates sessions, as well as the Energy Techniques group classes, which include meditation and emotional awareness techniques. I have since experienced improvements in my flexibility, mobility and even progressed mentally and psychologically. Moreover, the staff are very friendly and make you feel comfortable, from day one. I am very grateful to have found and joined Central Balance. I truly believe they are the best and most professional in what they do”.
— P. C, 34.