Ref:  Cheryll Hillier & Bowen Therapy                                                       

 

Hello there, my name is Michael and if you are reading this, it’s probably one of a couple things… One, you are in Pain… Two, you are doing research because you are searching for a possible answer to Pain.  Or maybe you are curious about finding something to help, when you’ve tried almost everything else. Whatever your reason, it’s no coincidence that you are here and I hope you might take a moment and continue to read my story.

 

It’s been a little over two years and I can still recall the pain. It was late November 2006 and I was experiencing neck pain that continued to get worse quite quickly   I could not look upward without being in pain. The only way I could attempt to sleep, was to put two large pillows under my chest and lay my forehead on my hands, folded in front of me. Sleeping, that was a joke. For the first time in my life, I was experiencing sleep deprivation. My patience was thin, very irritable, no energy and it wasn’t getting any better. At the end of one night, I was in so much pain that I needed to see my chiropractor who did a few adjustments.

 

I went into his office 2 days later and he asked if I felt better.  I was still at a pain level of about 7 out of 10. Even the pain killer he gave me didn’t help.  He scheduled a deep tissue massage, hoping to help an inflamed nerve area. When I returned from the deep tissue… I was inflamed more. He had had enough and took me in for an x-ray. About 15 minutes later, I walked into his office as he was putting the x-ray on the light board… Michael, you’ve had this injury for over 20 years, you have reverse curvature of your cervical vertebra (whiplash), with slight spurring. I could tell by the look in his eyes that this was more serious than anticipated. The pain had also branched out to my outer shoulder.  He showed me on the chart where pain was originating from.  “Can we fix this?” I asked.  His reply was not what I was hoping for… “I don’t know”.

 

I had just two weeks before I was scheduled to work at Walt Disney World in Florida.  Let’s just say, as an Entertainer, in my line of work there would be a great deal of added stress on my neck.

I had to work but could not imagine hurting myself further.  I have a good friend in Orlando who I’ve worked with at Disney, and when I told her about my neck pain, said “Michael there’s no way you can perform, I can’t let you put yourself in that situation”.

 

Then she spoke these words…“ You’ve got to come and see this lady, her name is Cheryll who does this stuff called Bowen. Have you ever heard of it?” … “Michael, you have to see her, she’s wonderful and has helped me with my knee as well as Michael (her husband’s name too) and the kids.  I’m going to get you three sessions, and I’m going to pay for it”.  She spoke with such conviction, I said that I would give it a try, as long as I didn’t go backward.

 

As soon as we arrived in Florida, I called Karla and she set up an appointment with Cheryll for the next day.  In the waiting area I found a book of Bowen - much like the one you are probably reading now - with testimonials in it, some short, some longer but all were talking about getting some relief.  Out comes this little lady with a big smile and a warm greeting. (her smile got bigger as time passed).  Cheryll took me in and explained what I was about to experience. “I can’t promise you anything, that would be totally irresponsible of me… but I hope you will achieve some of the success we’ve had with others, just keep an open mind and give it time”

After a brief assessment, she had me lie facedown.  She started with some very gentle movements across my lower back, butt and hips... then she left the room!  From my research I was aware that these “rest periods” were VERY important, but I couldn’t help thinking… is that it?  Another set of movements in my upper back (which brought me to tears) and then another rest. Cheryll was aware that I was struggling and just kept reminding me to breathe. A short time and my session was over.  IS THAT IT????

 

Now don’t get discouraged.  She kept reminding me, “Now Michael, just give it time, give me at least three sessions and we’ll know something”. And then she said something I thought was quite funny… “The pain might get worse before it gets better.”  I thought, “Oh dear God, that’s all I need, I’m having trouble standing it now. Cheryll continued, “Michael, the Bowen may stir things up a bit but you just hang in there, drink your water and walk the first day, allow it time to work”. The one thing that stood out about Cheryll was that she really cared, her desire was to help me. I was told to come back in 7 days, very important!

 

It was holiday season, so I didn’t schedule to give her that special time with her loved ones.

Then I got a call from Karla, “where have you been, Cheryll has called and she’s concerned. She was going to come and treat you on her day off”.  I had limited time in Florida and Cheryll wanted to treat me as much as possible. I called and set an appointment for the next day. When I arrived for my second treatment I wanted to tell her that I was doing great but it just wasn’t happening. “Just give it some time” she said.  Cheryll’s desire to help others was so strong that you could see it on her face, hear it in her voice and simply feel it from her spirit.

 

After the second treatment, she kept me for a couple extra neck movements while I sat on the edge of the table. I went home, drank the water, walked and did everything she had said… some intensified pain for about the first day but it subsided by about the second day.

 

It was after my third session that Cheryll shared a thought with me that really hit hard. She said, “Michael, I don’t want to… just keep treating people, over and over, like some of the other professions… I want to fix them and then let them go on their way… She would get plenty of referrals from other satisfied clients.  Some might get immediate results in one session, others two or three but there is most often progress by the third session.  I was a little bit nervous as I hugged her and thanked her for sharing. If nothing else, I had met a wonderful young lady and made a new friend.   I went back home to drink my water, walk and rest… It was when I woke the next morning that I realized that I had slept through the night… and the pain in my neck was almost completely gone. The pain in my shoulder that felt like a knife was gone. I was pleasantly surprised. For the next few nights I slept well, and continued.

 

I actually did a stupid thing and rode a roller coaster, I was feeling pretty good, so I got on… I could have kicked myself in the face after I got off as my neck was in pain.  I thought at first that I was back to square one, but later in the day, the pain dropped.

 

I was almost completely pain free for almost a year to the day, had a second little tune up and have now been pain free for almost two and a half years.  I thank God every time I raise my eyes to the sky, realizing that there was a time when I couldn’t look up.   The whole time I could hear Cheryll’s voice “Less is More, Gentle, Gentle, Gentle”.

 

Well, I guess it’s about time for your journey to start or continue … so I’ll leave you with this:

 

It says to give thanks in all things… does that mean Pain?”  I say YES, I am thankful for the Pain for it taught me Patience. I’m thankful for the pain for it led me to Cheryll who has so much experience with Bowen and has been so giving.  I’m thankful for my Pain… I still see Cheryll and drop in for a tune up whenever possible - it just amazes me how Less is More and Gentle, Gentle, Gentle echo in my mind.

 

My wish is that you may keep an open mind, follow guidance and allow the body to heal itself… so that you might share your journey with others.

 

Sincerely,

Michael H,

Johnson City, TN

Aka “The most blessed person on the planet”