See what clients have to say…

Anna

I highly recommend working with Maryann to address joint and muscular pain because her approach is effective and easy to incorporate in the long run.

Before working with Maryann, I had seen a variety of heath care practitioners about long-standing neck, back, hip and ankle pain. While I would feel better after seeing them, the benefits would not last.

By contrast, Maryann has customized alignment exercises for me to feel better and move better every day.

The exercises take time, but they are easy to do thanks to Maryann’s clear instructions and helpful emails and how-to videos. The alignment measurements and photos are also great for tracking progress.

Maryann is knowledgeable and responsive, as well as thoughtful and kind. She makes the exercises fun, and working with her has been one of the best things I have done for my health.

Steve

After 10+ years, numerous visits to chiropractors, doctors, physical therapy, MRIs, and appointments with neurosurgeons at one of the top hospitals in the world, no one was able to tell me why I was experiencing chronic pain in my lower back.  I couldn’t sit for any length of time without my back lighting up, which was torture since I have a mostly sedentary job.  I felt like I had tried every possible remedy and was rapidly losing hope.  Over the years, I conducted research online and read countless articles, and followed their advice to no avail.  One day, I happened upon an article written by Maryann dealing with mobility issues.  Her approach piqued my interest, and I continued reading the numerous articles that she has written.  Convinced that she knew her stuff, I booked an appointment with her over Skype.

After about 5 weeks of following the menus that Maryann crafted for me, my lower back pain had reduced by about 80%.  4 months later, I am able to sit comfortably for long stretches, as long as I mind my posture and sit correctly, which I learned how to do from Maryann.  I am not completely pain free, but the improvement has been dramatic to say the least.

I very much enjoyed the Realign process as it allows you to take control of your situation, you get out what you put in.  As a Civil Engineer, I understand how mechanics work, and the body is no different.  “Muscles tell bones what to do” she often told me, and her advice always reflected her immense understanding of how the human body works.  Performing the “e-cises” that Maryann prescribed felt good, and I could almost always feel improvement immediately after each daily menu.  It was so much better than being given pills and shots with no end in sight.

Maryann has given me the tools I need to keep myself out of pain and continue to improve as I journey on towards my goal of being completely pain free.  I would urge anyone out there that is struggling with chronic pain to give this a try, it is the only thing that has been effective for me and I know it will continue to be as long as I continue to do my part.  Thank you Maryann!!

Becky

I’m so glad I found Maryann and posture alignment therapy. Years ago, my right knee started hurting and cracking a lot. Physical therapy helped me walk without my leg hurting eventually, but it didn’t stop my knee from cracking every time I bent it or find the larger problem at hand. The longer I lived with that problem, the more problems I developed… lower back, neck, and sometimes jaw pain. I’d treat it with periodic massages which made me feel better for a few days, but it just kept coming back. And every time I tried to do any exercise program, it would just eventually inflame my knee and back even more.

I booked a one-on-one session with Maryann and was thrilled to see what I never really got from multiple physical therapists — a diagnosis (valgus knees) and explanations for my areas of pain and misalignment. Even over Skype, Maryann was so helpful in making sure that I maintained the correct posture as I learned how to do my e-cise menu. In just a couple days of doing the exercises, my back and neck pain disappeared, and jaw pain hasn’t returned. Whereas before my back and head tilted to the right, I can now see myself standing up much straighter in the mirror and notice that my knees curve inward a bit less as my weight now seems to be distributed to different parts of my feet. And the inflammation around my lower back that had accompanied the pain diminished as well — between that and the better stance, it looks like I lost 10 pounds!

I still have more work to go with my knees and ankles, but I can already feel certain muscles strengthening as some of the e-cises get easier. It’s amazing how pain that has come to be normal can be muted so quickly, and that has had a wonderful effect on my spirit. I am so thankful for all that Maryann has already given me with just one session, and I can’t wait to keep ironing out the kinks in my posture!

Darlene

Randy

I am 69 years old. I’ve been coming to Maryann for 2 months. I’ve had shoulder pain for 20-25 years.  The range of motion of my shoulders was severely lacking. Turning my head was limited and it was forward, the head that is. Low back pain has always been an issue. Bending over to pick something off the floor always caused pain. If all this isn’t enough, I always walked on the outside of my feet.

Other than the pain, from one shoulder or the other, I was unaware of how badly my body was out of alignment. I finally started working out at a fitness studio not far from where I lived. It was there I found that I really couldn’t do all the exercises because of the lack of motion in my shoulders. I couldn’t reach either arm straight over my head, thereby, causing pain to my shoulders.

After 2 months of Maryann’s Realign Therapy, the pain is gone. That’s huge for my quality of life. That doesn’t mean I’m totally fixed. However, the range of motion in my shoulders has increased tremendously. My forward head is returning to its’ rightful place on my shoulders. That same head now turns more easily from side to side. That’s good news for the other drivers. I am not waking with low back pain any longer. Also walking more evenly on my feet.

I now look forward to picking things off the floor, from behind couches. It sounds crazy, but I was never able to do this without pain for a couple of decades. Get this, I am now able to actually look forward to workouts.  Whereas, before, they were something  I just had to do.

The beauty of Maryann’s Realign Therapy is that the more you work at it, the more you keep getting better and better.

Candace

I knew I had plantar fasciitis middle of the summer and with a Beast Spartan Race (14 miles and 32 obstacles) at the end of October, I thought I had plenty of time for my heel to heal. I did all the “normal” remedies to help with the pain and assist with recovery: rolling the bottom of my foot with a golf ball or tennis ball, stretching my calf (and rolling my calf), bought new shoes, stopped running, started icing, etc. If it was on google, then I was doing it.

When mid-September approached, and I still had the same pain, I was referred to Maryann. I was willing and needed to try anything else, something new. After my first appointment with Maryann, I had already noticed a difference! She took the time to meet with me, study my alignment, posture, form of walking and prescribed a daily menu for me based on my body and my alignment needs, or the out of alignment habits I had formed over the years.

I was diligent about doing these “exercises” she prescribed every day and within about 2 weeks I was able to run again! I completed my Beast Spartan with no heel pain and I 100% attribute that to Maryann and her precise medicine of exercises. She was always in contact and kept close tabs on my progress.

If you are in ANY pain, especially if you think its “chronic” or “I have had that my whole life” or any other excuse you use to live with this discomfort, I strongly suggest an appointment. It is your health and your body, and YOU are worth it!

Aurena

Last July 2016, I contacted Maryann Berry because I was experiencing TMJ or lock jaw, lower back pain, and I was constantly sick.

Over the years, my posture worsened and I described my head to look like a turtle’s head. Every time I went into the pool, water would settle in my ears and cause an ear infection. I had been trying to treat my TMJ symptoms with my chiropractor, massage, and wearing a nightly mouth guard from the dentist.

Since doing the exercises every day for eight weeks the results are phenomenal because I look at my jaw and my jaw works without pain! My posture is aligned and I have great drainage in my sinuses, so I haven’t been sick for the two months that I completed my daily exercises.

I feel strong and grounded for my workouts, Hula Dance practice, and flag football games because my lower back isn’t in pain, either! I learned that this time, it’s not a quick fix and I’m committed to adjusting my posture every day to stay strong for years to come.

Everyday gravity will push me out of alignment, but I will beat gravity by doing simple 15-minute exercises, just like I brush my teeth every day. I check out my jaw in the mirror and am elated! I’m so thrilled to know that I didn’t have to live with this pain for the rest of my life.

Michelle

It was about this time, two years ago, that I was scrolling through Facebook on an early Saturday morning contemplating how to deal with a sudden, acute onset of left hip pain. I was preparing for the RKC Cert and had done heavy lower body training that Thursday and the sharp hip pain had started that evening. What really worried me was the fact that this pain was not subsiding and that I felt it while during the most basic movement: walking. It was a dull pain when I was sitting. I had taken Friday off and decided to go for a walk, feeling the hip pain the whole time and thinking, “This is not good.”

So there I was, sipping my morning coffee, scrolling through Facebook, when I came across this post on another FitPro’s Facebook page. I read Maryann Berry’s article quickly. It was an amazing story of her complete recovery from excruciating, debilitating hip pain that left her in a wheelchair and it was ultimately NOT doctors or physical therapists who helped rid her of the pain. Instead, it was a Postural Alignment Therapist trained through Egoscue University. When I had finished, I immediately got in touch with her.

At this time, I was living halfway across the globe in Japan. It was only Friday afternoon where she lived. I got in touch with her and set up a Skype consult for Sunday morning, JST. I couldn’t wait to work with her because I knew without a doubt that she could help me get rid of this pain. And she did. I still think what she did for me was nothing short of a miracle. After talking with me, she assessed my posture from the pictures I had sent her and what I discovered was that I was lopsided! I looked like the little Leaning Tower of Pisa. I was the little Leaning Tower of Pisa that was deadlifting 5×5@165lbs. It’s amazing how the body will compensate but eventually that compensation takes a toll.

I think I rated my pain a 5-6 initially. By the end of our first session it was a 1-2. By the end of my first week doing the exercises she prescribed religiously on a daily basis, my hip pain was gone. I was back to a full training schedule in 4 weeks but backed off on the deadlifting weight. In 2 short months, my posture had dramatically improved. If you go to her website, you can see my before and after pictures. I worked with Maryann for about 6 months leading up to the RKC Certification in May. During that time period, that hip pain never resurfaced and I passed the RKC Certification with no problem. There are a couple of people I need to thank for helping me accomplish my dream of becoming an RKC Instructor and Maryann is one of them. If you are in chronic pain, pain that you’ve been living with for a long time, contact her. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed. I’m still doing my exercises and remain pain free. Thank you, Maryann, for all you’ve done to help me. 🙂

Marcus Filly, (12th Fittest – Reebok CrossFit Games 2016)

From time to time throughout the course of my athletic career, I’ve had the good fortune of meeting some very gifted and inspiring educators. In most cases, fate brought these people into my life. Not through active searching, but through the law of attraction, I have found my way into their lives, and them into my life.

Recently Maryann Berry came into my life. I didn’t know it at the time but have grown to appreciate just what a special encounter it was.

At 32 years old I have spent the better part of the last 20 years playing competitive sports. I have competed on the world wide stage in sport, trained at times 30 hours a week, and I have put myself through tremendous physical stress in order to be the best I can be in my chosen sports.

Inevitably, that much training and competing left me with my share of injuries. I have noticed over the past several years that my body has developed some imbalances. Certain ways I used to move just don’t feel the same anymore. In addition I have developed chronic pains that I used to not have. I knew there was a connection, but despite my best efforts to try and do something to self-correct, I was left feeling imbalanced and in pain.

Enter Maryann to my life. She introduced me to a method and practice of understanding my body that would go on to frame much of the way I look at my own movement. She started to educate me and provide me with the tools I needed to really understand my imbalances, work towards correcting them, and to be mindful of these positional changes throughout my training and day to day life.

Maryann is an educator, not just a therapist to help unlock my pain. What she has taught me will carry over to so many parts of my life and will provide me with a new awareness that can and will help me navigate my body as I age and change life habits. Her patience and encouragement have gone a long way to keep me committed to the process and help me solidify these practices into my life.

If you have chronic pain or are looking for a way to better understand how your body moves and how you can align yourself to perform more optimally, then I highly recommend you contact Maryann and start your journey with her.

Sue

I went to Maryann because I had been having severe pain starting in my right hip, down my leg, to my foot. I had been to my doctor a few times, who diagnosed it as Iliotibial Band Syndrome, and he had told me that I should give up walking (my favorite form of exercise) and take Ibuprofen each day to alleviate the pain. Very dissatisfied with that, I made an appointment to see Maryann to see if she could help.

My initial consultation with Maryann was wonderful. She clearly explained her plan for me for the next 8 weeks – so I signed up then and there and started my treatment that day. And I couldn’t have been happier with the results. Working with Maryann, I looked forward to my weekly sessions, as she is very personable, extremely knowledgeable and quite caring. Maryann would work with me each session, carefully explaining the exercises I needed to do that week at home; she then clearly demonstrated each one and took the time to ensure I was doing them correctly. Later that day, I always received an email from her, with directions and pictures on how to do each exercise. As well, she was very diligent in weekly follow-up phone calls to see how I was doing and if I had any questions.

I am very appreciative of Maryann’s work with me and her great manner. I’m not young or fit by any means, but Maryann never made me feel anything but positive and capable. As well, she took an interest in me as a person and always made me feel better about myself. Much thanks to Maryann, I can now say that I am pain-free when I’m walking, and I continue with the wonderful exercise program she had laid out for me. No matter what business or practice she goes into, I am sure Maryann will be an asset to any organization; and her intelligence, common sense, work ethic and wonderful demeanor will bring life to any company.

Ann

I love to run.  It makes me feel happy and it allows me to relieve my stress.  I was a die-hard runner for years, but one day out of nowhere my left knee hurt.  It hurt to walk down stairs, it hurt to kneel, and it even hurt after sitting. I saw my internist, and I was diagnosed with “runner’s knee.”  He prescribed a break from running and physical therapy.  I did everything as recommended, and most knee pain was relieved, but I still could not run.  I was so sad. 

I consulted sports medicine doctors and orthopedic surgeons.  Everyone prescribed the same types of exercises, but I still could not run.  Eventually, a few told me that my running days were over.  I was really depressed.  I bought an elliptical and stuck to that.  Sometimes I would try to run again; but after only a short distance, the pain always returned. Then a friend recommended that I check out Posture Alignment Therapy.  I figured that I would attend the first meeting, but I was skeptical so I did not get my hopes up.

Ros

When I first went to see Maryann I was in a lot of pain.  I’ve been in a lot of pain for a very long time.  I told Maryann that my back dominated my life………..and it did.  I have scoliosis and have had multiple surgeries, including a lower back laminectomy due to degenerated and ruptured discs.

I’ve tried every treatment under the sun over the last 40 years and have never had lasting relief from my back pain.  A friend suggested I see Maryann and look into Posture Alignment Therapy. I’d never heard of it and was very skeptical. But I’d tried everything from physical therapy to acupuncture to cranial sacral therapy and scores of other things, so why not?

Posture Alignment Therapy requires that you take full responsibility for your own health, and commit to working everyday, for the rest of your life, to improve your physical condition, become pain free and restore your natural vitality and strength.  That was a tall order for me. Discipline is not my strong suit. I’m a sprinter, not a long distance runner.

It’s been a struggle for me over these last 6 months, working the program every day, but I knew I had to do it.  And it paid off!   After about 3 months into the program, one day I got up in the morning and did not have any pain.  It took me a while to come to that realization.  I was about to take my daily NSAID (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug) when I realized that I did not feel any pain!

Since then, I’ve done really well, except for those times when I allow my back to be over worked, such as when I traveled a lot or moved from one home to another.

Posture Alignment Therapy is not a quick fix.  It can be tedious, repetitive and boring, but it works.  Just like any other discipline: learning to play the piano, golf, meditation, ballet or anything else, it takes daily practice and commitment.

I highly recommend Posture Alignment Therapy and Maryann, who has been through terrible pain herself and recovered her physical strength and agility by working this program.

Sabine

“Within a few weeks, the pain in my groins – this permanent, long-lasting pain – reduced enormously. It was as if my body was able to breathe again. Such an incredible, wonderful development! I am so happy and grateful! Moreover, my posture has definitely improved – in such a way that I for myself can see the difference when looking at the pictures. I know that I still have a long way to go – but the improvement is absolutely amazing! And I know that I am not alone on my way to a pain free life, and that eventually I will arrive. It is as if I had found the key, long believed to be lost.”

Shani

Being a patient of rheumatoid arthritis for 15 years, chronic inflammation had resulted in degeneration of my joints, particularly the weight-bearing lower limbs. The resultant effect was pain and limitation of movement which I believed was completely due to the damaged joints.

Maryann took time to understand my situation at first, got a detailed history of my medical issues and was very professional. Her positivity made a big difference because I wasn’t expecting much and was rather sceptical. During our first session, she insisted that I read one of Pete Egoscue’s book for further understanding and that is how I was convinced that movement is key to getting rid of chronic pain.

Her friendly and caring personality makes her so approachable and easy to talk to. She also made me do the ecises in front of her, to confirm if I am getting them right. While I was still doubtful about the effectiveness of these ecises considering both my knee and hip joints had evidence of severe degeneration, I have been committed because I can feel the improvement every day.

So far, I have had about 3 sessions with Maryann, and I do the ecises every day. If I skip a day or two, I can feel the discomfort. Maryann is always keen to know my progress and is always ready to clarify any doubts I have. I have been doing the ecises for about 6 months now and there has been a huge difference. My pain scores have lowered significantly, my gait has become more normal, my posture has improved and I’m moving about easily.

But the most exciting fact is that after a long time, I feel nearer to normal, something I had given up on. I’ve still got a long way to go, but I am convinced that the right posture is key to reducing pain. In fact, I find myself observing the posture of people I come across! I’m looking forward to the day I can be totally pain free.

Stephanie

An MRI would later reveal that I had two pinched nerves in my back. The orthopedist wrote me a prescription for prednisone and said it would likely get better on its own, but I could try acupuncture or physical therapy if it didn’t resolve itself within a week or two.

The next five months were a rollercoaster of hope and disappointment, as I tried one remedy after another. Acupuncture, physical therapy, red light therapy, hypnosis, omega 3 vitamins, turmeric, prescription anti-inflammatories, another steroid, yoga, the hot tub, a new office chair, a new mattress, there was no end to my quest for the perfect solution. Each time, I hoped that this — THIS — would be the last one, the cure.

It’s not that any of these solutions was bad. Some offered relief for hours at a time, but then, inevitably, the pain would return. Searing pain behind my knee and down the side of my calf.. And I’d find myself disappointed, frustrated, and feeling foolish for once again being hopeful, once again shelling out hundreds or thousands of dollars, and once again thinking that this might be the cure.

Days became a game of “let’s see how long I can go without taking Tylenol.” I struggled to cook — something I’ve always enjoyed — but most days gave up after 10 minutes. Attending social events was out of the question. Too much standing and chatting.

By May, I began to consider the shot and the surgery. But not only was there a chance neither solution would work, they were also costly, had potentially life-threatening side effects, and if I went the surgery route, I’d have to take time off to recuperate.

I needed to find another way. I came across a mention of the Egoscue method on a health website, and I got a referral for an Egoscue therapist nearby. She took my health history, took pictures of me, and gave me a menu of exercises. She went through the exercises with me quickly, and when I asked questions about the method and the cost, she got annoyed. I figured she was either used to a very high-end clientele or this Egoscue method was some type of snake oil.

After the first appointment, my back felt better, but by the next day, the pain returned. I thought I was on another cycle of hope and disappointment.

But the Egoscue exercises were my last hope before surgery. And something told me that it wasn’t the method that was the problem. Perhaps I just didn’t mesh well with this therapist. I did another internet search and came across Maryann’s website.

Right away, I knew she could help me. First, she made it clear that this was not a miracle, that my problem was a “bit of a bear to solve,” as she put it, but that it could be done. She said it would take time and concerted effort. I told her I was willing to do the exercises every day — and I was. Pain is a great motivator.

I asked her if I would really be pain free, and she was careful not to promise too much too soon. She said I would, but that I’d have to work at it. I’d have to do the exercises every day in the order she instructed, and I’d have to give it time. I agreed, then I promptly asked her again if it would work. Having been down so many roads that led nowhere, I was suspicious and anxious, like a woman who had been cheated on and didn’t know who to trust. I was afraid of sinking more money into something that didn’t work (I was still paying off a $1,300 medical bill when I called her). I was afraid of being too hopeful. I was afraid it wouldn’t work.

But it did.

The first thing I noticed about Maryann was how clear, detailed and deliberate she was. She wanted to educate me about the process. She suggested that I buy the book and read it to understand the theory behind Egoscue. I did.

And when she gave me exercises, she walked me through each one, taking the time to ensure my body was lined up properly before we even started. She talked me through each exercise, corrected my alignment before we even started, reassured me that I was feeling the right things, and supported me every step of the way.

Her videos are exceptional, too. Not only does she demonstrate the proper way to do the exercises, but she shows you all the ways you might be doing them wrong. This has been enormously helpful for me, as these exercises absolutely require that you do them exactly as they are designed. If your feet are two inches too wide or you’re sitting up from your shoulders, the exercises won’t work and you could end up with even more pain.

I asked Maryann a ton of questions. Should I be doing yoga? How would this affect my swimming? Would I be able to hike again?

She explained that it wasn’t the exercises I was choosing, it was “the body I was bringing to those exercises.” This made sense to me. After all, I know hikers in their 60s who have no problem, and I know swimmers in their 30s with shoulder issues. It isn’t gravity, and it isn’t inevitable. If your body is overcompensating for incorrect posture, you’re going to feel pain doing anything — even just standing.

When I seemed to be only somewhat better the first week, but still experiencing pain in my leg at times, I asked Maryann more questions. Why am I still feeling pain there? Why am I feeling it in other parts of my body? Will this ever go away?!

She asked if the new pain was soreness or pain. I said it was more like soreness after a tough workout. Then she patiently explained that the intense pain I was still experiencing at times in my leg should gradually diminish, and the new soreness I was experiencing in other parts of my body was because I was using muscles I hadn’t used in a long, long time. I needed to strengthen those.

That proved to be true. The leg pain is almost entirely gone (it still shows up if I spend several hours standing), and the pain in my quads and inner thighs lessened in a day or two, as I strengthened those areas.

Maryann is fabulous about following up. After our first session, she asked if it was ok to check back with me in a week. I said yes, and she texted me. She also called (after I said it was ok) and continues to follow up regularly.

She also gives me smaller goals. For example, I find the air bench exercise quite difficult, and she explained that it’s crucial that I have my low back flat against the wall, not that I hold the position for 2 minutes initially. This helped me to gradually work up to where I am now (1 minute, 30 seconds – ha!), and I can literally feel the difference in my legs because of it. Today, when I walk, I can tell that I am using different muscles.

It has been a little over three weeks now, and I am about 90 to 95% recovered. I can stand for an hour or longer to cook dinner. I swim and do a regular gym workout. I can walk for several miles, and I hope to get strong enough to start strength training with weights, something I’ve never been able to do without pain — no matter how lined up I was.

I am so grateful to Maryann. I feel like she’s given me my life back. Most of all, she’s given me hope.