Hello Dr. Cristoveanu!

Frist, I apologize for not letting you know how my marathon went sooner.  I had written to give you the scoop right after race day but in doing some "housekeeping" recently with my e-mail, I found that my note was still in my draft box....I must have been still a little too worn out from the race to hit "send" - so sorry about that!

Second, I would like to thank you very much for all that you did to help me reach my goal and getting to that finish line relatively pain free!  Your advice and expertise were instrumental in getting me there.  I finished in my goal time and now know that I could have done even better considering how good I felt at the end.  i definitely had more left in the tank - didn't even come close to hitting the wall.

In short, I had a GREAT race!!  I enjoyed (almost) every step of the way and many times  my running buddy and I commented that we couldn't believe that we were actually running a marathon because we were having such a great time and we felt so relaxed. There were parts of the course that were more difficult than others ( Col. By for example!!! ) but for the most part I felt great.  I had some surprise supporters along the way with friends and relatives who planted themselves along the route not to mention the amazingly supportive crowds of strangers - incredible energy.  Colleen Crane found us at the 41K mark and ran us in.  She asked me as soon as I finished would I run another one and without hesitation I said "absolutely!"  She took the photo below at the finish line.

The I.T. band issue started just after the Heron Bridge ( approx 36km ) but as long as I didn't stop and kept up a steady and even pace it wasn't too bad, definitely run-able - thanks to you!!

It was quite emotional  seeing my dad at different places along the route.  Since I was running the marathon for him, seeing him waving from the sideline and getting a few hugs along the way, made the race even more meaningful for me.  CBC Radio was there and out of all the thousands of spectators there that morning, they interviewed my dad!  The icing on the cake for me was laying in bed the next morning hearing my dad's voice on the 7 o'clock news  explaining why he was there - I could hear the emotion in his voice and it just broke me up.  Ah, the perfect ending to a lifelong goal!

All in all, it was a day I'll always remember and cherish.  Truly one of those "best days of my life" kind of days.  I'll never forget standing at the corner of Laurier and Elgin with my family and friends, raising a plastic cup of Guinness (my victory meal!) with my dad that Sunday morning after one of the best experiences of my life. 

I couldn't have done it without you so THANK YOU so much for all of your help and encouragement.  I am so glad that you are so good at what you do!

In gratitude,
Colleen : )

Without the exceptional professionalism of Dr. Troy Sturtevant, I would not be actively embracing a recent retirement where I swim and bike distances, canoe-camp, garden, ski and paint large canvasses.  I can also now envisage contract work (mouse'ing & keyboarding).  A serious case of acute lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow) brought on the repetitive motion of excessive roof snow raking had become chronic after several months.  Conservative treatments, including physiotherapy were not effective.  I turned a difficult corner with Troy, who recommended Platelet Rich Plasma (PRT) and framed this new procedure with a program consisting of Active Release Technique (ART), eccentric exercise, acupuncture and TENS.  His positive and relentless encouragement was backed-up by sound medical knowledge and his strength and conditioning specialization.  I am truly grateful, as my hyperactive pre-disposition and passion for living full were being undermined by pain and physical limitations.  I have since recommended Troy to friends, family and neighbours.

R. Gougeon      

September, 2010

I injured my hamstring some 18 years ago while water skiing. In the years that followed my hamstring got progressively worse and I sought the help of various sports injury therapists to try to solve the problem. Unfortunately nothing worked for long, if at all. As a last straw, I went to see a sports medicine physician in the fall of 2009 who confirmed that my type of hamstring injury was particularly difficult to "cure" and long term residual scarring was pretty much to be expected. However, she told me that there was one person who she though might have more success than others and suggested I consult Dr. Geoff Outerbridge. Although I thought it was worth a last try, I was pretty much resigned tot the fact that my hamstring would never be back to normal and activities like running were just never going to be on my list of activities.

I never thought that I would be writing this four months later but I no longer have any problems with m hamstring. I'm now back doing all the sports activities I had given up years ago. The freedom it has given me is priceless and I'm just glad that persevered to be treated so successfully by Dr. Outerbridge!

Caroline Collard

While pursing a Master of Music degree in performance (guitar) at the University of Ottawa I developed a repetitive strain injury after years of bad habits. Active Release was one treatment option that began to show real results. With regular visits to Dr. Cristoveanu at the Holistic Clinic I was able to overcome the majority of my pain and get back to longer practice sessions. Without that treatment there was no way I would have been able to graduate on time. Treatment has also afforded me the opportunity to continue pursuing music as a career.

Simon Baxter, M.Mus

Professional Musician

After more than 20 years of enduring 'a lot' of lower back pain I can honestly proclaim that the worst is over. Over the span of those years I had seen so many different health practitioners, had countless x-rays, a couple of CT scans, but all to no avail. I'm very active in several sports and despite the pain I continued, but the pleasure of the activity was always compromised to a certain degree.  

My first visit to Geoff provided the usual optimistic sensations...however this time they proved to be well-founded. Geoff identified the problem right away and told me that he could treat it. He was also able to trace the problem to an injury to another area of my body caused by an accident many years ago. He treated that area as well. I'm quite amazed and relieved that after all these years I can do something as simple as bending over the sink to wash my face and feel no pain.  

I can say that Geoff really cared about getting me better quickly and thoroughly, and I enthusiastically recommend him and his approach.  

Paul W. 

If you remember, when I first started with you, I was only able to stand for less than ten minutes without tremendous pain that would last for hours and sometimes days afterward and I had not been able to sleep properly or pain free for nearly three decades.  Most activities including walking were severely restricted because of the chronic pain in my back and legs.  And when I would do some type of activity, the cost in terms of pain was very high. 

Since I've last seen you I have been diligent about the exercises and stretching that you taught me, conscientiously doing them every day with only the rarest exception.  Gradually I've increased the duration of the stretch from a few seconds two years ago to several minutes now.  I am now far more flexible and nearly continuously pain free.  And when I have a problem, injure myself as I still do sometimes, I draw on your guidance from my visits to you and am able to focus my stretching and exercises so that the discomfort (no longer debilitating pain) lasts only a day or so in comparison to nearly a year of nearly incapacitating discomfort for a similar problem in the past.  Because I have followed your instruction so diligently, I can regularly stand now for long periods of time with virtually no discomfort, can regularly go for walks and am able to enjoy many activities that I could not even contemplate enjoying before my treatment with you.

I see myself on a continuous path of strength building and development and understand the importance of not returning to the virtually completely sedentary life I had slid into over the decades that was so incapacitating.

So again, thank you so much for everything.  You are a tremendous practitioner and teacher and I feel indebted to you for helping me and guiding me to better health.

Yours truly,

Perry Harkin

As a professional musician I have always worked hard to maintain good physical conditioning. But at age 62 I began to experience severe low back pain and referred leg pain on the right side. I had been travelling a great deal and spending many hours sitting at the piano. The pain affected me most while standing or climbing stairs; I was virtually unable to lift anything without pain and my sleep was also frequently disrupted. Although I had numerous tests including an MRI and X-rays, nothing really extraordinary was diagnosed, beyond typical aging patterns in the spine. Over a 16 month period I worked with a reputable physiotherapist as well as consulting with two others. The improvement in my condition was minimal, despite all attempts on my part to practice the prescribed exercises.

On the recommendation of a friend who had experienced similar symptoms, I consulted Dr. Geoff Outerbridge, a practitioner of Active Release Technique. Although the deep pressure massage was not always comfortable, I immediately sensed both the accuracy of Dr. Outerbridge's ability to target the source of pain, and the beginning of a release of the tightness and stiffness of the affected areas. I received treatments for a period of about three months, gradually observing a lessening of pain, increased strength and greater physical mobility, I was given a complete set of accompanying stretches, which I practice daily, as well as resuming my strengthening and cardio regime.

I can now report a complete return to my former physical state: an ability to walk for extended periods, equal strength on both sides of my body, better sleep, and above all a complete recovery from pain in my back and leg. I have resumed my daily life with energy and strength for work and family activities. The pain I had associated with the inevitable effects of aging is gone. I remain vigilant about exercise and stretching for maintenance, but I now know that I have a resource for recovery if repetitive strain injury should reoccur.

Dina Namer

I started having this unexplained pain in my knees and I couldn't take the pain... I could barely stand let alone walk and I was just getting prepared to go on a month long hiking tour. I was very very worried.... I was going to Australia for the first time in my life. I was planning this trip for years, and finally it was coming true, to hike through the outback, work on a ranch and tour a lot of the continent.  I had the ticket bought and all the arrangements made.... Then the pain started. I honestly cannot explain why it happened, but I just thought it must be arthritis, so I would put heat or cold on my knee and cry out in pain.  I tried all sorts of painkillers, however they just would not work, nothing would make the pain go away. This pain caused me to miss some of my children's hockey games, work and other events. All I could think of, I must get better; I have to find a miracle so I could still go on my hiking trip to Australia.  Well I did find that miracle. And believe me it was a totally miracle. I heard of the Holistic clinic and of Dr. Geoff Outerbridge from a friend who said he was amazing, and I had to have him, no one else but him would do, as he could diagnose ANYTHING!!!!! AND HE WOULD TREAT IT IN NO TIME FLAT.  Well I called and of course I could not get an appointment, as they were totally booked.  I begged and pleaded that I was in such desperate need and I had only 3 weeks before I was leaving for this adventure of a lifetime. Well they squeezed me in; and I am forever grateful.

Dr. Geoff used a technique called ART (Active Release Technique) and man did it hurt!! I think he enjoyed seeing my pain but as the saying goes, no pain no gain. He did figure out that my problem was scar tissue buildup and not arthritis. I should never self -diagnose. I went through a series of appointments that week and also on his advice learned a stretch program with one of the clinics massage therapists. In two and one half weeks, 3 days before I left I was pain free and walking fine.

Here is the email I sent upon my return to Canada.

Tuesday, December 18, 2007 12:29 PM

Subject: Australian trip

Hi Geoff, I am so sorry I didn't remember your email address while in Australia, as I would have sent you a huge BIG THANK YOU. My knee did not bother me at all on this trip. I had the most amazing time, I love Australia. The hikes and hills, and waterfalls all were so awesome.... I want to tell the world what an amazing job you did on my knee. I could not even walk before I went and YOU made the world of difference for me. THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart....

I am still feeling great, no worries at all with the knee.... You are amazing for sure, My friend was right when she told me you were a miracle worker. I will recommend you to everyone I know, Even though I think you slightly enjoyed hurting me!!!

Thank you,

Suzanne Gagnon

For most of my adult life I have experienced periodic problems with my lower back. I practice in Karate and recently began an intensive training program to obtain Black Belt status. These sessions were extremely rigorous and after a couple of weeks I considered dropping out because of back pain. I went to see Dr. Joanna Langley who immediately was able to pinpoint the problem and began Chiropractic and A.R.T. treatments. Like magic the pain and tightness went away and I was able to continue training. Over the course of 5 months I continually re-injured my back and also began experiencing hip pain, but Joanna was always able to mend it so that I could continue the classes. She also taught me several stretching exercises that I would do before and after every class. I just received my Black Belt and have Dr. Langley to thank for it. If it weren't for her treatments I would never have been able to make it through the training program. Thank you Joanna!!
Greg T.

Since 1996 I have suffered from incapacitating pain diagnosed as myofascial pain syndrome. Over time I have seen a number of pain specialists, who have prescribed a series of powerful pain medications, which produced negative physical and mental side affects. These medications dulled the pain problem but never totally took it away. I have thankfully found great relief through Chiropractic treatment incorporating Active Release Technique�. I have also been getting massage therapy treatments. As a result of this I have been able to reduce my pain medication by 70% and hope to soon stop all of it. After enduring such a long period of constant pain I have to pinch myself and am almost afraid to say how this treatment has helped me and made life worth living again.
Peggy W.

I was on Vioxx and its replacement products for 22 months. When these were removed, I experienced a lot of pain. Chiropractic, Active Release Technique� and stretching have increased the mobility in my shoulder and the pain has been reduced. After 12 appointments, I feel much better with some minor residual pain. I consider this a success as before the therapy my pain was intolerable, preventing me from driving for more than 15 minutes or getting dressed with ease. Since the therapy, I have been active and restful.
Rod M.

Chiropractic and Active Release Technique help to ensure that my body is working at its peak performance. When I get injured Dr. Outerbridge helps me heal properly and recuperate quickly.

Lawrence Foster, Professional Adventure Racer: Team Holofiber

Following a snowboarding fall in March 2005 that left me unable to walk without considerable back and leg pain, I figured my training efforts and personal goal to run the National Capital Marathon in May were a wash! I continued to limp along on my training schedule, but after several setbacks I was referred by a friend to Dr. Outerbridge.

I really thought the marathon was out of reach until I met with Dr. Outerbridge who, through Chiropractic, Active Release techniques® and stretching exercises (learned at a special stretching class) got me back on the road to recovery and a pain free marathon finish that exceeded my personal time goal.

Dr. Outerbridge got to the root of the problem right away and had me on the road to recovery. His goal was to find the source and deal with it so I could resume my training and normal exercise regime. I am running more than ever and am pain free enjoying increased mobility. Nothing short of a miracle! The Holistic Clinic is staffed with friendly and professional people. I would also add that all appointments are on time and as arranged. Thank you Geoff for all your help.

Mike H.

Dear Dr Outerbridge,
Thank you, thank you, thank you! Because of you, I was able to run 34 km without leg pain for the first time in eight weeks. I only wish I could have found you earlier so I would not have lost as much training time for my upcoming marathon.

You diagnosed my problem on the first visit and started giving me treatments that immediately got me back running. You were also the only one that understood my objectives. Now, after only 8 treatments I am pain-free and running as strong, if not better, than before.

My only suggestion is that you remember to tell your A.R.T. patients that it does not hurt if there is nothing that needs fixing.

In profound appreciation,
Richard C.

After taking more than a decade off from running, when I tried to start back again I discovered I had developed mysterious knee/hip problems which severely limited my running. For seven years I actively sought out professional help to try to fix things - I saw 1 GP, 2 physiotherapists, 2 chiropractors and 3 sports therapists; and tried 2 pairs of orthotics, a knee brace, an IT-Band brace and numerous styles of running shoes. Frustratingly, most of this was to little avail - until I started therapy at the Holistic Clinic with Dr. Geoff Outerbridge.

When I first came to the Holistic Clinic - my goal was simple: I didn't want to win races - I just wanted to run pain-free. Amazingly in just 2 months - I have progressed from someone who limped around after walking an hour in a mall - to someone who just completed a Half-Marathon with relative ease and little soreness after the fact - and completed a 10-km with a PB in over 15 years.

So - why have I had so much success this time when everything has failed me so many times before? My best guess, is that it is the integrated approach taken to first assess my specific problem(s) and then to treat my knee/hip issues progressively, one-step at a time, through a combination of ART, chiropractic adjustments, stretching correction and biomechanical gait corrections - and then to re-assess and modify treatments as needed. Most of my previous attempts at therapy involved only one treatment form at a time.

So, am I cured? No, not quite yet ... but I am running WAY better now than I was even before my knee first went out all those years ago AND I am running pain-free, with confidence and having a great deal more fun running than ever before :-). Saying thanks, quite simply is not enough for what has been given back to me but I'll say it anyway - THANKS.

When I decided to see Dr. Outerbridge I did not have the nagging injuries that usually motivate runners to see a therapist. Shortly after having completed my first marathon, I was feeling sluggish all the time and I was starting to feel aches where they never before occurred. At first I had attributed it to lack of recovery time as I took only 2 days off after the marathon but eventually I thought it may have something to do with the way I was running. At the first session, Dr. Outerbridge did a complete diagnostic of my running form and pointed out several problems that I was not aware of. He discovered several areas of tightness, particularly my hip flexors. After the first session of ART, I went out for a short run and was amazed at how loose my legs felt and how easy each stride was. Because I wanted to test my legs I ran it at race pace and was pleasantly surprised by my time. I didn't realize how stiff my legs had become after months of training for the marathon and doing most of my runs at marathon pace or slower. After several more sessions of ART to work out all of the adhesions in the problem areas, Dr. Outerbridge reassessed my gait. Although there was a slight improvement, this time he focused on my stride and pointed out what I needed to do to improve my efficiency. Even though I have to run at an easier pace in order to concentrate on the changes to my gait, I am still consistently running faster than I had been before I started ART. As Dr. Outerbridge had pointed out at the start, it is better to treat muscles before an injury develops (an ounce of prevention.......)

In addition, an unexpected benefit from the treatments and coaching, I no longer need to wear the knee brace that I had become so dependent on since I injured my knee a year ago. After several months of physiotherapy to heal the bursitis and patellar tendonitis, I was advised to always wear the brace whenever I run. At the first session with Dr. Outerbridge, he questioned the need for the device. With strengthened muscles and an improved gait, I no longer experience the chronic aching in that knee.

Thank you Dr. Outerbridge for making me a better runner and giving me hope that even at my age I will continue to improve in my performance for years to come.

Gloria MC