Back in 2005, I came home from a business trip with a distinctive lean. I had been lugging a heavy suitcase, and that last twisted lift into the taxi’s trunk finally did me in. I could not stand up straight, and was not able to find a comfortable sleeping or sitting position for days. As I limped into my fitness club, an employee suggested that I see a person who had helped her. I did not want another chiropractic referral, nor did I want to go the route of prescription muscle relaxers. But to my surprise, this friend recommended a Biomechanic, in Ventura, by the name of Katy Santiago. I called her to see what she could do, and she just said, “come over and lets talk”. That moment changed my life.
After a quick confirmation that I was, indeed, leaning, Katy took a few minutes to assess me visually. Her first question was “what happened to you last year?” I told her that this suitcase injury just happened last week, but she persisted. I then remembered a big event that did happen last year. At the age of 42, I had had a complete hysterectomy. I thought I had healed just fine, since I could get right back to work and got my flat tummy back. But what I had actually done is change my posture to protect my still healing abdomen, which in turn put a huge strain on my lower back. Within that first hour, Katy was able to diagnose and treat my pain, and I walked out of there in amazement.
I returned weekly to see what other magic she could show me. I joined her pelvic fitness class, specifically designed for women who had C-sections and hysterectomies. Being with other women with similar histories was a great healer for me, and a valuable learning experience. We all had seemingly unrelated after-effects from our surgeries, even decades after the event. Week by week, Katy was able to show us how these aches and pains were related to our core weakness, and best of all, how we could become stronger with what we had left to work with. Her methods of empowering people to use what they have, and move forward, all with a friendly tone and patient encouragement, is very refreshing, and easy to learn.
I continue to recommend Katy’s talents to everyone I see; friends with pain, relatives with chronic illnesses, even strangers with limps! They have all taken the time to thank me for their life-changing visit with Katy. I am a life-long, grateful member of the “Restorative Exericse™ ” fan club, and in the process, have become quite knowledgeable about pelvic fitness. Thank you, Katy!!! |
