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Dedication

Migraine

Testimonials from Howard's Massage Clients

When I came to Howard I was suffering from migraines three or four times a month, debilitating headaches that would leave me nauseous and incapacitated for days at a time. Other than the migraines, my health was excellent. And yet my life was being regularly disrupted by these persistent headaches.

After a terrible experience with conventional doctors who attempted to treat my headaches with a long list of prescription medications, I have refused to take any sort of pharmaceuticals, apart from the occasional aspirin.

Howard promised to improve my situation gradually, and naturally, over the course of eleven massage treatments. I was skeptical but hopeful that his unique approach, a combination of deep tissue massage techniques and spiritual dialogue, might finally offer me the relief I'd been looking for.

From the very first session I noticed that Howard's massage technique probed so deeply that it seemed sometimes that he and my body were locked in a battle to release years of stored-up tension. Howard won.

While at first I didn't notice a significant reduction in my headaches, I did notice that I left the session feeling significantly more relaxed. I came to realize that the relaxation was a result not only of the body work, but of the accompanying discussions, topics that were, one might say, metaphorically related to the physical area that Howard was treating.

In the session that he worked on my diaphragm, for instance, we talked about care and concern. Both feelings, it seems, were stored in my diaphragm, and when he released this area physically, a flood of emotion ensued. We explored a similar connection between mind and body in each of our sessions.

This combination of body work and spiritual therapy proved to be powerful. I never arrived with topics in mind for conversation, but let the body work and the theme for the session gently guide the dialogue.

Looking back, it seems that many of our conversations centered around defining male and female archetypes. Perhaps I shouldn't be surprised that such intimate body work would lead to my reflecting on male and female qualities. But I shall go so far as to say that my headaches were partly the result of my ambivalence toward, and even confusion over, the nature of the feminine.

As I began to relax in my body and to feel comfortable with my emotions, my headaches gradually diminished, first in severity, and then in frequency, over the course of the eleven-session treatment. I currently suffer from only one mild migraine in two months and my life is no longer disrupted. I strongly suspect that over the next year or so the headaches will disappear completely.

– Susan

To Whom It May Concern:

I have suffered from migraine headaches for many years, but for some reason, about a year ago, they took over my life.

Pain controlled my life for months. Migraines, face, neck and shoulder pain made even simple tasks seem impossible. I would frequently have to lie down on the floor of my office to make it through the work day. Driving was torture. In the evenings, I would collapse on the couch or in my bed.

I couldn't exercise and I was becoming severely depressed. Doctors had prescribed all kinds of drugs, including narcotics, physical therapy, acupuncture — I was willing to try anything. Then I tried Hellerwork with Howard Rontal.

Howard and Hellerwork were vital to my recovery. I have improved from 5-7 migraines a week to one or two manageable headaches a week — some weeks I don't have any. My neck and shoulder have more range of motion and I have retuned to exercise.

I can work a full week and I have the energy to enjoy myself. The depression has lifted, and I feel so much more like the old me. My family has noticed the difference, and co-workers have commented on the fact that my face is not contorted with pain.

I still see Howard once a month to keep myself healthy. I don't know if it is necessary, but I just know that I feel better after treatments.

You have to be willing to make a commitment to the process, which is not always easy, but well worth it. I am grateful to Howard for the power to heal. And the best part is that he has a sense of humor and a great music collection to get you through it!