Category archive - testimonials

During the pregnancy of my second child I had treatments with Dr Ashburner. Despite a history of back problems, I was completely free of back pain during my entire pregnancy. I was also guided on what movements and posture were compounding the problem so that I could make adjustments in my daily life and feel empowered in the process. I highly recommend Dr. Ashburner for both pregnant women and anyone needing to get to the root of their aches and pains.

Tanja Meyburgh, psychologist & mother of two

My chronic neck pain started 10 months ago after  a few sessions with a new personal trainer at the Gym.  I wrote it down to over strenuous exercise – my neck was dreadfully stiff and cricked every time I moved it.  Being a keen golfer also did not help matters and I was miserable.  I immediately tried sports injury massage, a stress release chiropractor and a conventional chiropractor.  They all helped but only for a few days when my neck seized up again and I obviously had difficulty moving. 

 I mentioned my problem to a friend who claimed that he had had problems with his neck and had gone the same conventional route I had, but that nothing had really helped.  He had then discovered an osteopath – Dr Guy Ashburner – who had helped him enormously and that he was now pain free.

 After another lousy round of golf I was almost in tears with frustration and pain, and decided to phone Dr Ashburner.  Well, it was the best thing I could’ve done.  He sat and listened to my problem.  He actually gave me a deep manipulation, or so it felt to me, and when the session was over I could move my neck and there was virtually no stiffness.  It appears that my back was really the problem and was pulling my neck out of alignment.

 Dr Ashburner advised me on how to improve my posture, and which exercises I should and should not be doing.  My personal trainer has taken his advice and is working with his recommendations in mind.  I now am completely pain free and feel as though I’m walking on air.  I go around raving to people how wonderful Dr Ashburner’s treatment is – it is amazing how many of us suffer from back related problems – mainly due to the work we do.  Guy – what can I say.  Words cannot really convey how grateful I am.  Thank you so very, very much. 

Karin Newton

Osteopathy and Asthma – a success story

Three years ago I spent a week in hospital with symptoms the pulmonologist attributed to asthma. After I was discharged I consulted Guy Ashburner, osteopath to assist with the aches and pains in my back as a result of 10 days of non-stop coughing. While he was working on me the most amazing thing happened … my chest opened up completely and for the first time on 10 days I was able to breathe easily. One single treatment was all it took.

 I recently had another of these “asthma” attacks and spent 9 days in hospital on 3 hourly nebulisers, oxygen and about 11 different medications. I had only 5% lung function and was having daily physiotherapy.  After I was discharged, I was still struggling to breathe and was coughing on the slightest exertion so I made an appointment to see Guy and again same thing happened. During the treatment my chest opened up and my symptoms abated instantly and a month on I haven’t had a moments trouble since.

 I have googled the link between ashtma and osteopathy and most of the articles I read were all somewhat sceptical and no definitive proof of benefit seems to have been established. However, speaking from my own experiences I know that in the future should I have trouble breathing my first stop will be the osteopath’s office. I am very hopeful that by doing that I will be able to avoid the hospital stay altogether. I would highly recommend anyone with asthma to try osteopathy. It is non-invasive, gentle and in my experience highly beneficial.

 Janice Melmed

Two years ago we discovered that our son had a speech delay (he is currently four years old) when compared to others his age. Although not meant to compare, it was only natural for first time parents to do so.

 After engaging with the staff at his nursery school, we explored different avenues. These included visits to a paediatric neurologist, an audiologist, an educational psychologist, speech therapists, brain gym sessions with a remedial teacher and play therapy sessions. He was diagnosed with elements of verbal dyspraxia. After various attempts and becoming despondent at the lack of progress we were then referred to Dr Guy Ashburner.

 Although sceptical at first we noticed a visible shift/change in his behaviour. After three sessions, he had a need to communicate and to be understood. There was a desire to pronounce words he had difficulty in saying , which I know was not there before. Family members were noticing the change in him too. I can honestly say sessions with Dr Ashburner have made a significant difference in our son. His speech therapist has also commented on the improvement and acceleration of his speech and his understanding, in her words ,”like something has made a connection”.

I think throughout this process of trying to find answers , we’ve realised there is no single solution and each child is unique.

 I only wish we’d met Dr Ashburner sooner, the results in such a short space of time have been remarkable.

I’ve had trouble with my mid to lower back from primary school days and have had regular massages which would help temporarily but the niggle would always reset itself a couple of days later. The first day I walked out of Guy Ashburner’s office I felt like I was walking on air and I’ve been seeing him for about four months now. Why you may ask? Well, in my line of work, I do a lot of sitting for hours in cars, buses, planes and tranes and my back does take a knock. I find that seeing Guy has helped me to feel much stronger and more comfortable in my frame. My posture is better and I’m not nearly the ball of tension I was when I first walked into Guy’s office. I recommend trying out osteopathy …

 ”I have suffered from chronic back pain for many years and as I am getting older, my “back episodes” have become more frequent and more debilitating. I am an ex-nursing sister and more than likely the years of heavy lifting have also affected my spine as well as bad posture and perhaps a bit of neglect too.

This year has been particularly bad and I had become frustrated with the unpredictability and instability which would catch me unawares. I have tried every treatment ranging from the allopathic to the esoteric, physiotherapists, chiropractors, and many others, and although they would treat the symptoms at the time, it did not seem to be a long-term solution.

I was then referred to Guy Ashburner by a friend,- I didn’t even know what an osteopath was, but was desperate to try anything at this stage. My first visit to Guy, I was in a very bad state, my mobility was very minimal, I was in a lot of pain and barely able to move my right leg, experiencing shooting sciatica pain even with the slightest weight bearing on the right side. I also had a cold at the time and sneezing was my worst night-mare .A recent MRI scan showed that there was a multi-level  involvement  resulting in prolapse and narrowing of disc spaces, and I was therefore not a candidate for surgery. On one hand I was very relieved about this, but on the other I was hoping for a ‘once and for all’ quick fix.

Guy did a very thorough examination, and very quickly made a diagnosis, which was very reassuring as I felt he was rather more concerned in treating the cause rather than just the symptoms. I was particularly impressed by his professional attitude, but at the same time he is friendly and very approachable.

The treatments consisted mainly of gentle manipulations, specific massage and stretching techniques as well as very good advice with regards to posture, habit, drinking lots of water and exercise. Each treatment showed a definite improvement and after the fourth treatment I feel as if I have never had a back problem, whereas up until now even in between the ‘episodes’ I constantly suffered from sciatica.

I am very pleased that I was referred to Guy in the first place, and for the first time in many years I am pain free. Thank you, Guy.”

- Barbi Vandewalle

I met Dr Ashburner last year in when I took my daughter to see him regarding her knees, which had been troubling her for some time. During her appointment he asked me what was troubling me and I briefly explained that I was suffering from chronic exhaustion as well as tension and discomfort in my back and neck.

He told me that he was confident that he could assist me. At my first appointment he took a very thorough history and explained what his approach would be to the chronic fatigue. At this point I was willing to attempt any treatment that could help me regain some comfort in my body. Added energy would be a bonus.

I am a full time ballet teacher and mom to 2 young teenagers and my life is full of demands on my energy reserves.

Over the previous number of years I had struggled to honour all my commitments due to a constant feeling of flu-like illness, pain and discomfort, headaches and extreme exhaustion. Many visits to my G.P with general complaints of not feeling well had not uncovered any more than a chronic iron deficiency. I had 5 iron infusions to correct the deficiency, but even after that I was still suffering with very sore neck glands and a general feeling of fatigue.

Over the years I have also been on the Quantum machine, had kinesiology and chiropractic treatments as well as acupuncture.

Whilst all the earlier treatments had for a short while lightened my symptoms, none have made as big a difference to me as what osteopathy has.

Dr Ashburner has significantly changed my life for the better. I am so happy to no longer suffer any backache. My focus on good posture has become much more acute and I have gained more flexibility and range of movement in my back. He has also positively influenced me to make better food choices and I have reduced my sugar intake by about 90%. This has also contributed to the more positive feeling and increased energy I now enjoy. I can happily say that , thanks to Dr Ashburner, I am a great deal more able to tackle all my daily demands.

Now that the acute phase of my chronic fatigue seems to be behind me , I look forward to my regular “tune-ups” with Dr Ashburner.

- Megan Davey.

I recently had difficulties focussing on a picture that I had previously been able to see clearly. The left side seemed more affected than the right. I went to my optometrist thinking I needed glasses. She reported that she would only complete an eye test once I had been for a blood glucose check. I then went to my gp to have a check up. The gp was concerned as the visual loss was not consistant. My blood glucose was a little high but not enough to cause visual disturbances. She sent me to a neurologist. I mentioned that my neck was stiff but the neurologist did not feel there was a link and could find no reason for the visual changes. I then went to a homeopath who said that there was a build up of fluid behind the eye ball which would also contribute to loss of vision. I then went to Guy the osteopath and mentioned my eye problem. He worked on my neck. As he worked, so my vision became clearer and clearer. Where once before his ceiling light had been a hazy rectangular blur I began to see more detail and defenition. It also seems to help drain fluid build up in my sinuses which would also help my eyes.

- Gillian blem Occupational therapist

Guy Ashburner has been treating me during 2006 for a long standing problem of tinnitus.

His approach has been thorough, conscientious, and caring. He asked careful questions, listened to what he heard, and made treatment decisions accordingly. For the first time in 9 years, I have experienced a reduction in symptoms; and he has further worked with me to develop a range of exercises, which I can undertake myself to reinforce the progress. He has explained matters as he went along, which I have found highly beneficial.

I would unhesitatingly recommend Mr Ashburner as an osteopath. He is a healthcare professional with the skills and approach which encompass a properly holistic view of the patient.

- Virginia Rose