About Paula O'Neil
In August 1991, Paula started to experience pain on the inside of her right knee. She was fairly fit and healthy, she jogged daily and played tennis twice a week. Initially, the pain did not impinge on these activities, but over a period of time, she found them increasingly difficult to do.
Her GP referred her to an Orthopaedic Surgeon. The Surgeon felt that her knee cap was crooked and referred her for Physiotherapy in the hope that it could be realigned. When no progress was made, surgery was scheduled.
Unfortunately there were complications and sometime afterwards, Paula was diagnosed with a condition called 'Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy' (RSD). RSD is a painful condition that can occur anywhere in the body, usually after a trauma such as an accident, injury or surgery. The messages that the brain receives with this condition are over exaggerated, which makes even the simplest thing, such as kneeling, far too painful to contemplate.
As her condition worsened, her quality of life was seriously compromised. Around this time, she was rather reluctantly taken to a Reflexologist, where her life was transformed. However, although Reflexology was successful in banishing her pain, Paula was left with severe muscle wastage.
She had three weeks of daily intensive Physiotherapy to help to counter act this. Still believing that she could improve further, her Specialist recommended Pilates to her. He said Pilates would do wonders at helping her retain the muscle mass she had built up and would ensure any muscle imbalances were rectified.
She started classes immediately. The instructor was fantastic, but unfortunately after two years, moved away. Paula struggled to find another instructor, but not wanting to give up this amazing regime, she continued at home using videos and books to assist her. By this time, she had qualified as a Reflexologist and went on to study Sports Massage.
Although Reflexology is a remarkable therapy and one that helped her immensely, Paula was convinced that from what she had learned from many books on Pilates and the body in general, that Pilates really held the key in many back and joint related problems. This inspired her to train as an instructor with the Body Control Pilates Association. Now she is able to offer her clients not only relief in the form of Reflexology, but also a means that they can help themselves with Pilates.
Reflexology and Pilates have been a life line for Paula. Without them she dreads to think what her life would have turned out like. She feels she owes a tremendous amount to Eunice Ingham for bringing Reflexology to the Western World and to Joseph Pilates for masterminding his unique exercise regime. Paula very much looks forward to sharing these amazing results with you, enabling you to be the very best that you can be.
Paula is a member of:
The Body Control Pilates Association
Register of Exercise Professionals
The International Institute of Reflexology
Association of Vacuflex Reflexologists
She is also First Aid trained.
Paula is committed to continual development and, after her own personal experience, is passionate about studying rehabilitation.
