From Physiotherapist to Patient to Feldenkrais

Following an operation to repair my fractured patella in 2009, the surgeon expected a rapid recovery to normal knee function. Being a physio, I was confident this would be a straightforward rehab process. However, I was plagued by a painful, unstable knee that refused to bend much at all. My physio colleagues were unable to relieve the persistent muscle spasm or improve my knee flexion beyond 80 degrees. After a few weeks of poor progress, the surgeon wanted to manipulate my knee under anaesthesia. 

 
At this stage I booked a Functional Integration lesson with  to see if Feldenkrais could help. The results of this first session far exceeded my hopes. It was like magic – for the first time since the operation, I had a restored sense of connection with my knee joint and improved confidence when walking. My limp had virtually disappeared. I was particularly impressed by the enhanced sense of proprioception achieved during this FI lesson. I had been aware of a loss of this important sense of joint position after the knee surgery, but no physio techniques had been able to help regain it. After the vigorous therapy input that I had experienced so far, I could hardly believe that Susie’s wonderfully nurturing movement session with no pain or strain could produce such significant improvement in my function. It seemed too easy!
 
Two weeks later, my second FI lesson with [ed: CFP] produced further improvement in range of movement and knee stability. Additional benefits included a boost to my sense of well being and confidence. Soon after, I went on a short trip to Europe. My proud achievement was to get to the top of the bell tower in Bruges – up 366 winding steps! 
 
[ed: CFP] has introduced me to a new way of exploring movement options that I find fascinating. For me, the benefits from her FI lessons and ATM group sessions have been immediate and lasting. They have in fact been life changing. After being a practicing physiotherapist for over 20 years, I am now training to become a Feldenkrais practitioner.
 
Di Jensen
April 2010