Body Stress Release

“It’s not an exaggeration to say that Mary-Clare’s treatments have changed my life. Previously, my mild/moderate spinal scoliosis was hugely helped by exercise (thank you Pilates!), but I still relied on regular osteopath visits and massages to stay straight and out of pain. But I haven’t needed any of that in years. My back has subtly relaxed as my muscles have begun to let go and at 62, I’m far straighter and more comfortable than I was at 32. As if that wasn’t enough, the treatments themselves are sheer bliss – all the relief of a massage but far longer lasting and mysteriously soothing for the mind and heart as well. And Mary-Clare is one of those rare souls, a therapist whose instinctive grasp of exactly what you need and when is almost magically comforting. My body seems to go on unravelling and soothing itself long after I’ve walked away from her couch. I don’t know how she does it, but I can’t recommend her highly enough.”

Julie Myerson
February 2023

“ I came to see Mary-Clare for BSR, looking for support to help me deal with the side effects and symptoms of my cancer diagnosis.

From the very first treatment, the transformation in how I feel was amazing. My pain is much less, I am less reliant on painkillers and am able to sleep so much better. I leave every session feeling relaxed and nurtured.

What really struck me about the BSR experience is how different my body feels afterwards, with each BSR treatment I feel real changes in my body which stay with me. It has become an essential part of my self-care and I would recommend BSR to anyone.”

Harriet
May 2022

“ I arrived at the Neals Yard therapy rooms to meet Mary-Clare – with 8/10 pain from 12 weeks of debilitating sciatica. I struggled up the stairs to Mary-Clare’s room and immediately felt at ease as she gently asked me questions about my health history and possible stress triggers. My first session was for an hour’s treatment, of gentle hands on work. That night, the numbness in my ankle and leg had gone and I slept the best that I had done in the previous 12 weeks. The improvement in my back pain over a 4 week period reduced to 1/10 – no longer needing the nerve block procedure under anaesthetic, sleeping so well night after night, and my overall feeling of well being was without doubt less tense and more calm. Just a magical complimentary therapy – without a doubt.”

1st January 2022

“After my move from the Netherlands to London I was looking for a new BSR practice based in London. I did some research and just after lockdown I went to Neal’s Yard for my first appointment with Mary-Clare. It was the first week in a long time that people were sitting outside having coffee or having dinner outside. When I entered Neal’s Yard I was impressed by the beauty of the location, it is a lovely yard with various terraces.

After the intake Mary-Clare started her treatment and I realized how much my body needed it. Mary- Clare makes you feel comfortable at once and the way she practices BSR is very nice and special. Right after my first treatment my husband and I had our first dinner in London. While we were having dinner my husband looked at me in a very special way, he really had never looked at me the way he did then. I asked him what was going on. He said: You look completely different. And it was true. After Mary-Clare’s treatment my body felt very relaxed and I was so happy. I felt like a new woman.”

Marieke
12th July 2021

“I have derived great benefit from the treatments I have received from Mary-Clare Blackburn.

My son, who had been successfully treated by Mary-Clare, recommended her to me when I was experiencing severe back pain several years ago. I was hobbling and barely able to walk.
After an hour’s treatment I was pain free and mobile. I wouldn’t have thought that such a dramatic recovery was possible.

Since then I have benefited hugely from further treatments for other conditions.

I can’t recommend Mary-Clare more highly.”

Mary Bundy
17th June 2021

“Having suffered from occasional intense back pain for many years, I started treatment with traditional Osteopaths but then found cranial osteopathy had a longer lasting effect. Visiting Mary-Clare for BSR on a recommendation when my C.O. was unavailable, I felt benefit immediately and, like cranial osteo, I found the release continued for some days afterwards. A group of three treatments within 11 days with a follow up 1 week later after a long spell of acute back trouble saw me back to normal and practising yoga without fear. The treatment is pain-free and relaxing, though one can feel a little spacey afterwards. I have had one more session after a two week break and feel I can continue with occasional top-up treatments now. My posture feels better and when I meditate I can feel more releasing after treatments. It seems the method gets deep into long-held muscular tension. Definitely recommended!”

Mike

“For the last 18 months my right leg has been unstable and weak in the hip area and I had pain in my right hip which made walking and climbing stairs uncomfortable. My feet felt ‘flat’ and my legs heavy – I was aware of every step I took I came across an article about Body Stress Release on a day I felt all twisted and stressed deep into my inner core. I am astounded at the results after only 2 treatments – I have my legs back! I now stride out with both legs working as they should: my legs feel lighter and stronger and my feet more ‘active’, actively ‘pushing off’ with each step I now naturally stand, walk and sit taller and straighter instead of being ‘curled in’ from discomfort and pain. There is still more work to be done but I am amazed at the improvement after only 2 sessions.”

new client

“I had been suffering with a sore left knee for a number of months which finally led to to attend A&E as my knee had swollen and I could barely walk.

I visited Mary-Clare the next day the the relief was almost immediate, although the pain did surface after a few hours. Following my second appointment 4 days later the pain relief was again immediate however this time was far longer lasting and in fact has not come back any where near as painful.

I have scheduled a number of BSR appointments with Mary-Clare over the course of the next few weeks as I have found the sessions to be both a very effective recuperation therapy for my knee and a great overall body “maintenance” tool.”

Thank you Mary-Clare!

“The first BSR session was wonderful and will definitely be booking in the next two. Being so used to my regular deep tissue massages I really didn’t think this was the treatment for me but am so glad I tried something new. Never thought I would feel so revitalised after the first session but it was absolute magic and had the best night’s sleep I’ve had in years! Really feel like I’m on the right track with this. Thank you Mary-Clare”

Sarah Paterson

” I have had Body Stress Release (BSR) treatments over many years, I’m happy spread the word as I believe this unique treatment needs wider recognition. Before I discovered BSR I had tried out a whole panoply of treatments for severe back spasms, sciatic nerve pain, numbness in my left leg and foot. The relief I felt following my very first treatment seemed almost miraculous. Since then I have been well and have become much more active, I used to have periods off work and felt disabled.

I now simply need maintenance or top ups. I recently started treatments with Mary-Clare and found them excellent. Mary-Clare’s clear explanations, the sense of serenity she creates with ambient music, simply deepen the sense of calm. Thank you”

Dick

“For the last 18 months my right leg has been unstable and weak in the hip area and I had pain in my right hip which made walking and climbing stairs uncomfortable

My feet felt ‘flat’ and my legs heavy – I was aware of every step I took. I came across an article about Body Stress Release on a day I felt all twisted and stressed deep into my inner core.
I am astounded at the results after only 2 treatments – I have my legs back!

I now stride out with both legs working as they should: my legs feel lighter and stronger and my feet more ‘active’, actively ‘pushing off’ with each step. I now naturally stand, walk and sit taller and straighter instead of being ‘curled in’ from discomfort and pain.

There is still more work to be done but I am amazed at the improvement after only 2 sessions.”

” I went to see Mary-Clare about an injury i sustained in my shoulder. I continued bricklaying for 3 years without letting my injury heal. This resulted in a loss of feeling and co-ordination down the right side of my body.

After my first Body Stress Release session I felt a dramatic change, I felt more relaxed and could feel my body starting to heal its self. I was so relieved, having researched the possible routes to heal my shoulder and found surgery very daunting. I saw Mary-Clare on a weekly basis as my body kept going back into ‘protection mode’ and each time I went back we released a layer of protection eventually exposing the injury for self healing. Maintaining good posture, walking and gentle yoga helped but it was the 48 hours after my Body Stress Release session when I really noticed my body healing incredibly efficiently. I can honestly say that without Body Stress Release I would have not been able to carry on with my job. I would have most likely needed surgery and a possible shoulder transplant, I can now do all the things I was doing before more easily with out causing myself harm.

Enlightened by Body Stress Release, I look after myself a lot better, I can think more clearly and am more aware of how every day life affects my health. I can not recommend it enough, Mary-Clare is a warm and friendly practitioner with a very empathetic approach. I was so impressed by the effect Mary-Clare and Body Stress Release had on my life, that i am looking into becoming a practitioner in the future.”

James