Sean Bailey75 said:So, what exactly do you do? How do you go about fixing a hunched back?
A classic approach means someone gets educated, studies, and learns; after that, they spend years working under a trainer, teacher, or mentor, and only after even more years do they begin to act independently. Some call it a school, some call it college, some call it an academy, or just training, but most principles are rooted in science. I've heard you are a good nutritionist, so I assume you finished a degree or something similar. If you aren't working via the Feldenkrais method that your advocate here mentioned, where did this knowledge or qualification regarding posture correction come from?
This is getting a bit concerning because "differentiation" is a term that already exists and signifies something entirely different in science. It might have been understandable if you called it the Nicole Ross method if you arrived at these conclusions independently—though even then, you'd risk being compared to the methods of Ante Pavlovic. But reading you now, it seems you've described what your method *isn't*, yet you haven't shown what the method actually *IS* or where this wisdom originates. Would you be so kind as to briefly describe what you do, how you conduct the exercises, and where your qualifications come from?
Just so it makes sense to me, since it feels like we aren't understanding one another. And likely, there are others curious about this too, wanting to know specifically what YOUR differentiation entails and how it helps correct posture.
Answer 1
The whole point of differentiation is to overcome the subconscious muscle tension that we deal with during therapy. The root of that tension is SMA. Because of that, you get slow, but significant and lasting changes in the perception of posture and movement across all levels involving those muscles or muscle groups. They cause constant tension that we just get used to—we don't even notice it anymore—until eventually, we start noticing the consequences in the form of chronic pain and worn-out joints.
It makes the muscles hypertonic. Since they are tense all the time as part of the process, they create lactic acid, which makes them sensitive—and in stronger or longer-lasting cases, painful. These tensions are unconscious, unnecessary, and persistent. They stem from subconscious parts of the brain. The focus of therapy is to teach the person how to regain sensory awareness over the muscles that are subconsciously tense. That way, they regain conscious control over the portion of movement they lost due to SMA.
Answer 2.
It would be nice if you could stop repeating that I'm a good nutritionist, because honestly, I have no idea where you heard that. I don't practice nutrition, nor have I ever taught anyone. Also, Kolinda mentioned Feldenkrais on January 19, 2014—which was before she even attended her first session with me—so there's no way she knew how I work. As for the answer to what I actually do, please refer to Answer No. 1. The client performs the exercises, not me. And as for my qualifications? I earned them by successfully resolving "unsolvable" and idiopathic diagnoses in my clients. It would be pretty strange if I were trying to solve their problems using the methods of those "classic" practitioners you described above—people who didn't get results or actually made things worse.
Answer 3
Please, don't worry about me—worrying creates contraction in the front of the body, and if that happens repeatedly, that contraction becomes conscious. You'd end up with SMA yourself, which would mean you'd have to strengthen your back and do abdominal stretching, and your money would basically vanish into thin air for a few months. You likely have much more important things to do than that, besides, you really need a professional to supervise back strengthening so you don't end up injured. Because, let's face it, everyone is their own worst trainer.
I’ve laid out what I do and how I do it more times than I can count—but clearly, it’s just not sinking in. And honestly? That’s fine. Neither of us needs to lose sleep over it. As for those questions you asked at the end, I already covered them in response 2.
Response 4.
Since you all seem so incredibly fascinated by my methods, here’s a suggestion: why don't you sign up for three sessions, run through the exact exercises I teach, and then write a glowing review on this thread? You could tell everyone firsthand just how "revolutionary" this physical therapy is—and how it has absolutely nothing to do with anything other than reaching straight into the pockets of naive people.
My next opening is April 8th at 1:00 PM, so let me know if you want in. Interestingly enough, Elvan Abeylegesse ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elvan_Abeylegesse ) is coming in for therapy at 3:00 PM that same day. You could always chat with her about her experience—this will be her fourth session, after all—and maybe grab a photo with her for Facebook.
It might just be the best 50 bucks you ever spend.
P.S. Since you clearly consider yourself so well-informed, perhaps you should ask Mr. Khalid Nasif, that physical therapist from Termi Čatež—assuming he’s actually qualified enough to be a relevant reference—what he thinks about differentiation and whether he’s even heard of it.