I became severely ill with M.E / CFS in June 2002, following a viral infection. During the following 3 years I spent a lot of time unable to get out of bed, nearly all of it housebound, requiring a stick to walk, unable to think clearly, no chance of working or having even a basic social life and in constant mostly body-wide pain. The effect this had on my mental state and mood was pretty immense! During this period I tried most things that people suggested or advised, including ‘conventional’ treatments such as CBT and anti-depressants, physiotherapy, strict anti-candida diets as well as complimentary therapies such as homeopathy, aromatherapy, reflexology and acupuncture. In March 2005 I came across activated air therapy (Airnergy) and deep lymphatic therapy (DLT). Both these treatments made a big difference to my life and although still needing my stick to get about and having about one tenth of the energy of everyone around me, my pain levels reduced significantly and I had many fewer days when I just couldn’t get out of bed!
In July 2005 a friend who also had M.E. told me to read a book called ‘Why Me’ and then get in touch with Alex’s clinic in London. My friend’s enthusiasm was obvious and, having read the book, I became very intrigued by what The Optimum Health Clinic could offer. It seemed as though people here were suggesting that it was not only possible to ‘recover’ from M.E but that it’s possible to go on and lead amazingly active, busy, fulfilling lives without any remainder of the condition. I have always been interested in the psychological side of health and illness, but like many people with M.E I was immediately outraged at the suggestion that this crippling condition I was dealing with was ‘all in my mind’. Initially I wondered if practitioners at the clinic would have this view and just wrap it up in fancy psychological-speak I could not have been more wrong. I think the fact that at least two of the psychology-based practitioners have themselves experienced the ‘depths’ of M.E. and come through it, is a good enough reason for anyone to at least listen to what they have to say about recovery from the condition.
Having tried so many treatment approaches previously, with such little success (aside from the Airnergy and DLT treatments), I didn’t expect miracles from the clinic, but felt that I was starting on the road to recovery already and could definitely do with some more help in moving along it. I was particularly aware of the effect that the illness was having on my mind and emotions and really wanted to try and ‘sort them out’ as well as deal with my physical symptoms (at that point I made a clear distinction between them; now things have changed).
After my first appointment (telephone consultation) with Anna I realised that for the first time in years I had cried quite a lot without my symptoms becoming much worse (prior to this I’d been doing a lot of unplanned crying but each time I felt more ill, rather than having had a ‘good release’). I felt that everything she said made sense to me and was relevant to me. She seemed to be describing the problems I was experiencing in a new way and was actually offering a way of managing them! I was quite excited to speak to her again! Throughout the entirety of my contact with Anna (all done over the telephone due to distance – I hope one day to thank her face-to-face and show her exactly how fit and healthy she has helped me become!) I found her to be one of the most caring, supportive, intelligent, perceptive, non-judgemental, calm and knowledgeable people I have ever met. From the outset I felt accepted by her and the initial trust I felt for this ‘kind and understanding’ person has just grown deeper over time. Speaking to other clients of the clinic, it seems that this is a common situation with all the practitioners! I really like the degree of support offered by the clinic; the feeling that if required, someone is always there if things start going really wrong or you’re getting really off track. I also like the fact that through the course of sessions, your basic (unhelpful) beliefs are questioned and thoughts challenged, quite definitely, but with compassion. It’s not just a question of someone listening to your story and saying ‘yes yes, poor you’! Something else that to me seemed very different from working with other practitioners, is that money really did seem to be less important than the actual progress of the client. Everything Anna did and said gave me the impression that the aim of the clinic really IS to help people first and make money second (maybe not the best news for the Clinic’s bank balance…..) – a concept that I have never actually come across in other therapeutic settings – even if claimed by practitioners!
I now feel better – healthier in mind, body and spirit than I ever remember feeling – even prior to becoming ill. I am confident that my sessions with Anna; contact with The Optimum Health Clinic has played a significant part in my recovery process and I will be eternally grateful.
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