Growing up I was very active and athletic -- often biking, hiking, backpacking, and so forth. As I grew older, however, I started getting injured. For the past two years I have had severe pain in my ankle. It got so bad that I couldn't run, bike, hike, walk a half mile, or climb stairs without pain. I was taking medication every day to reduce the inflammation. I went to a sports doctor, had X-rays and an MRI, got new orthotics, wore nights splints, and had physical therapy every week for a year, but still felt no real relief. My health care providers started talking about doing surgery and I thought, No way.

I finally went looking for a second opinion, and got a call from a friend whose injuries had healed very quickly through sports massage. Her massage therapist had trained under Ben Benjamin. So as quickly as I could I looked up Ben's website and made an appointment.

At first I was skeptical -- I had lost trust in all health practitioners. This quickly changed. In the first session, Ben identified 10 different injuries in my foot and ankle. No one had ever mentioned 10 different injuries in the past. After the assessment, Ben worked on my ankle. Within two days after that first appointment I felt so much better, I couldn't believe it. The pain had diminished significantly. I took it easy after the first few sessions and kept my physical activity very low. After about a month of treatment I am slowly increasing my biking and walking. I know there is more to do, but normal, everyday activities are pain-free for the first time in two years.

Ben is very easy to work with. He takes the time to explain what's going on, what helps, and what doesn't. He gives me daily exercises to do and educates me on how I can take care of myself in the future. He is committed to helping people live a pain-free life.

-Catharine Boynton
Recreation Director
2006