Self-care Solutions for Chronic Pain
with Deb McCusker
You can change the way you feel and move in just minutes each day
“When I was in so much pain and no where to turn, you helped me. After doing your gentle and simple exercises I could relax and the pain went away.”
One to One In Person
Reduce chronic tension and pain in these Interactive sessions designed to facilitate learning and accelerate your somatics practice.
Group Movement Workshops
Movement lessons tailored to your group.
Introduction to somatic movement for health and well being, back pain, pain-free neck and shoulders.
Somatic Movement Workshop Online
Introduction to Somatic movement for health and well-being. Learn to move without pain and unlock your unlimited potential. Access the lessons anytime from the comfort of your own home.
Hello! I’m Deb
Licensed Massage Therapist, Somatic Movement Educator and Chronic Pain Specialist
“I guide people on a journey to help themselves get out of pain and unlock a more youthful and vibrant version of themselves.”
Getting Started is Easy
Free 20 Min Chat
Find out how Somatics can help you meet your fitness and health goals.
Book Appointment
Virtual or in person One to One Sessions.
Accelerate your healing and fine tune your somatic practice.
Somatic Movement Workshop
Self-guided digital minicourse guides you in the fundamentals of somatic movement to reduce chronic pain and improve mobility. Audio and video lessons yours to keep for life.
My Expertise
Helping people help themselves overcome chronic back pain since 1996
Chronic Back Pain
Back pain is a common condition that affects many adults, with up to 80% of people experiencing it at some point in their lives. In fact, low back pain is the leading cause of disability worldwide, and it’s the third most common reason people visit their doctors, behind skin and joint disorders. Additionally, around 50% of working adults report experiencing back pain symptoms each year. However, despite the prevalence of back pain, the good news is that most cases are not serious. While it can be debilitating and scary, treatments such as strong medications, injections, and surgery are usually not necessary. Fortunately, low back pain is rarely a serious medical condition, doesn’t often persist, and is not always related to tissue damage. Even pain with exercise and movement is typically not a warning of harm to the spine, and it’s not caused by weak “core” muscles or prevented by strong ones. Understanding the complexities of back pain can help individuals manage their symptoms and find relief.
My Approach
I use a mindfulness-based approach that uses movement to access the brain and then the brain makes changes to the way the body feels and moves. I work with clients to understand why they are in pain and how they can regain control over chronically held tension levels that lead to chronic pain.
Frequently Asked Questions
What conditions can Somatics help?
By addressing deeply held tension in the body Somatics can help relieve many conditions associated with chronic muscular tension such as:
- Back pain
- Neck and shoulder pain
- Headaches
- Jaw pain
- Hip pain
Who can benefit from a Somatic movement practice?
Somatics is gentle and safe enough for most people. If you are feeling stiffness and soreness and would like to move with more comfort and ease give Somatics a try.
What is the best way to learn Somatics?
Somatics is easy to learn and practice from digital audio lessons or by attending an introductory workshop. Since we all get used to moving in habitual ways it can be helpful to have guidence from a movement mentor to help you get the most benefits from your practice.
How is Somatics different from yoga or pilates?
Hanna Somatics and Yoga are both practices that aim to improve physical and mental well-being, but they differ in their approach and focus.
Hanna Somatics is a movement therapy that works by re-educating the nervous system and muscles through specific, gentle movements. The aim of Hanna Somatics is to reduce chronic muscle tension and pain, and improve mobility and movement patterns.
Yoga, on the other hand, is a holistic practice that originated in ancient India and encompasses physical postures (asanas), breathing techniques (pranayama), meditation, and ethical principles. Yoga aims to improve physical flexibility, balance and strength, as well as to calm the mind and promote spiritual growth.
In summary, while both practices can have similar benefits, Hanna Somatics focuses on addressing specific physical issues through gentle movement, while yoga is a more comprehensive approach to physical, mental, and spiritual well-being.
Contact Me
Ask a question or book an appointment below.