After a fall from my horse I suffered a double dislocation of the radius and ulna with severe injury to the ligaments, as well as a radial head fracture and scaphoid ligament tear in my wrist. My elbow was immobilised in a cast for 2 weeks and then in a sling for 8 weeks which resulted in very limited movements of my elbow which was stuck at a 90 degree angle. My consultant advised me that I would be lucky to restore 70% of the full range in my elbow and this was catastrophic news to me.

The injury was to my dominant elbow and my work involves using a computer and a great deal of writing and my main hobby is riding my horses. I had several sessions of physiotherapy but with little effect which is when I turned to Karen for her advice, as I was aware she had successfully treated other elbow injuries. At the end of the first session I broke down and cried and just had to hug her – I couldn’t believe how much extra movement she managed to get straight away.

I called Balance-Rite Clinic as I needed an appointment as soon as I could get one, as my back had gone into spasm at the gym a couple of days previously and I could hardly walk because of the pain. I was very worried because my wedding day was only 2 weeks away and I didn’t want to be hobbling down the aisle.

I have suffered with back pain since a fall on to my coccyx when I was 12 years old and I had physiotherapy for around one year after the accident. After suffering for years (I’m 24 now!) with relapses on and off, I recently saw a chiropractor over a period of seven months, but I stopped this because I didn’t feel it was being beneficial for my back, as it felt no different. At Balance-Rite I couldn’t believe how quickly I was out of pain, I felt a big improvement after the very first session and by the third session I could touch my toes, with a little discomfort, but by the fourth session the pain was gone.

I had only been at my new job for one week and it was a crucial time as the company was moving and we all had to help. I couldn’t believe it when my back suddenly went on me. I couldn’t move. My partner had to take me to A&E where they gave me some painkillers which were no good as I’m allergic to painkillers. I was recommended to go to Balance-Rite Osteopathy Clinic by my massage therapist who had been trying to manage my repeated back problems over the past few years, because my previous osteopath told me that nothing could be done for me.

I was in agony and had suffered with a similar problem in the past that took around a month to get better, it couldn’t have happened at a worst time. However, after starting treatment at Balance-Rite I couldn’t believe it, by the end of the second week the pain had gone completely and I was fully mobile, able to cycle to and from work and get back to my hobbies! Absolutely fantastic!

I have learnt a lot about my back at Balance-Rite, how to prevent another relapse and to maintain the work that has been done to improve the function of my mid-back. The great news is that my golf-swing is now so much better and I no longer have any niggles when I play!

Thanks for everything,

Richard Taylor, Chertsey, Surrey.

I called Balance-Rite Osteopathy Clinic in agony because I could hardly walk due to pain in my back. The previous day, I had been to see a physiotherapist with 25 years experience, in Ashford, Surrey and received no relief at all from my symptoms. She diagnosed an acute muscle spasm, barely touched me apart from some rocking of my back, advising my husband who was with me, that he should do this to me. She then gave me some exercises to do, which were impossible for me to do in the state I was in, as I needed help just to walk. I left there, feeling no different, still in agony and that I had wasted £45.00, as I could have looked up exercises for my back online. My mother-in-law convinced me to visit her osteopath at Balance-Rite Clinic.

I felt some relief from the pain even before I left the clinic on the first treatment and felt even easier after the next treatment. I received advice on how to help myself at home and was told I should continue each day to feel easier, which I did. After only 4 weeks of being unable to move because of the pain, I was pain free and able to move normally again. I dread to think where I would be now had I not visited Balance-Rite Clinic.

I am so pleased to be out of pain and would recommend someone who has recently had a baby, or anyone who has been having painful twinges to visit Balance-Rite Clinic first, before they have an episode of the pain I had experienced from just getting out of the bath!

Amy Holman, Ashford, Surrey

Many thanks for sorting out my injury as quickly as possible.

After making no progress in almost two months of treatment with a chiropractor and physio, I was starting to wonder whether I would be able to resume my sport.

Thanks to your efforts, I am now fully back into my training regime and re-gaining my fitness in preparation for the forthcoming Great Britain crew selection time trials.

Kind regards, Ian Bowers, Old Windsor, Berkshire

Coach/Paddler for GB Dragon Boat Racing Team

I Have suffered with lower back problems repeatedly over the last 15 years since having an epidural and forceps delivery when I had my son. I was having episodes about twice a year where I would make a simple movement, like bending to dry my legs after a shower and my back would ‘go’. I was unable to move, would have to take strong painkillers (diazepam and naproxen) and would be out of work for at least two weeks. Having had x-rays that found a slight scoliosis in the lumbar spine and early degenerative changes, the doctor only offered pain relief again, not treatment for the problem.

I made the decision to see Karen after she was highly recommended by a friend. During my initial consultation with Karen she recommended ‘hands-on’ osteopathy treatment as well as a number of exercises for me to do every day.

Over the next few months my progress improved immensely and I no longer have the worry of a slight forward movement immobilising me for weeks and my back isn’t sore when I get out of bed in the morning! I would highly recommend Karen, she is a very experienced osteopath, explains everything really well and offers a relaxed and comfortable treatment environment. Thanks for every thing Karen, you’ve changed my life!

Andrea Hughes,
Stanwell, Middx.

When I went to visit Karen for the first time, I couldn’t actually move. My husband had to lift me in and out of the car.

I had been run over when I was 15 and had shattered my pelvis, damaged my coccyx and also 2 vertebrae. I have since had numerous falls and accidents (down stairs and on ice) all damaging various parts of my body. By the time I went to see Karen, aged 48yrs, my entire spine had just about given up on me.

Following a course of treatment I have not been so mobile in years! Many of the problems I just used to put up with, don’t bother me anymore and even the most deep seated injury (over 30 years old) is so much better. Karen is so easy to talk to and so informative, she explains everything to me and will often tell me where I have pain before I tell her! Apart from being an excellent therapist she is also an incredibly caring person. I have recommended Karen to lots of people, many of whom are now being treated by her.

Lisa McGinty, Staines, Middx

I first visited Balance-Rite Clinic and saw Mark in 2004. Now at their third clinic in Chertsey, although its further away for me to travel to, it’s still worth the extra distance! Any reluctance goes when I think back to six weeks in bed due to the worst pain I’ve ever experienced.

I am completely convinced that I am in the safe hands of a highly qualified practitioner and I have recommended them to several of my friends.

Stephen Gamble, Stanwell-Moor, Staines, Middx

Nine years ago I was diagnosed with osteopenia which turned into osteoporosis. I had often suffered with my back, regularly having to take pain killers. My daughter went to see Karen for a back problem and when my back kept seizing up and going into spasm she told me to go and see her. To be honest I was too frightened. I was scared that the ‘clunking & clicking’ that osteopaths do would break my bones. My daughter told me that Karen didn’t have to treat that way and that it was very gentle and relaxing. I left it until my back was so bad that I couldn’t bear it any longer and have never looked back.

There was no ‘clunking or clicking’ in the treatment, instead it was very gentle and it was wonderful to feel easier after the first treatment. After a course of sessions it was great to be able to move freely again.

I can’t believe I was so afraid and waited so long before going to Balance-Rite, I really regret not going sooner rather than living for years with my back keep seizing up.

Janet Sherwood, Chertsey, Surrey

I have had treatment with Karen over the last six months and when I first started I had pain in both hips, my back and shoulders.

I was very surprised that bit by bit the pain in the different parts of my body disappeared. I feel so different now, whereas before I was often in pain during the day and now it has all gone.

In the past I have had many different therapies but I have found the treatment at Balance-Rite to be the most successful and I am able to do the things I love again including cycling and swimming.

Karin, Addlestone, Surrey

Amanda
Having spent the last few years searching for some relief from my back pain, I was pleasantly surprised by finding Balance-Rite Osteopathy Clinic. Karen was extremely welcoming and friendly and put me at ease straight away. I was in acute pain initially and from my first visit felt immediate relief. Subsequent follow-up sessions identified a number of causes of the symptoms I was suffering from and we are now working on pain management and possible long-term remedies.

The whole environment is very relaxing and calming rather than very clinical like others I have visited. Karen treats me holistically which, personally, I think has been so much help. I would not hesitate to recommend Balance-Rite Osteopathy Clinic to anyone.

Dallas
I was recommended by Amanda to visit Karen, to see if there were any solutions to the long-term issues I have with stiffness in my back in the mornings. It was enlightening to be assessed in such an obvious way that identified a few very simple causes of my symptoms. The initial treatment and follow-up sessions have helped me adjust my posture in such a way, that have helped considerably. Her holistic approach makes so much more sense than previous, more targeted treatments. I too was pleasantly surprised by the warm and inviting environment and have not hesitated in recommending Balance-Rite to others.

Amanda and Dallas Stuart, Egham, Surrey

Both my wife and I have used Balance-Rite and have always received excellent care from both Karen and Mark. In addition to the ‘hands on’ care, I personally have been given extra information regarding self help exercises to support any treatment and, of course, advice on muscular/skeletal problems is always available.

Peter Wright, Wraysbury