Meet Jackie Speranza, LPT

My journey with John F Barnes Myofascial Release started years ago before I discovered this transformative manual therapy alternative.  As a physical therapist I was very aware of my body aches and pains but like most people I ignored my back pain until it would not be ignored any longer.  I had low back pain off and on for 10 yrs until one day I ruptured a Lumbar Spine disc and was unable to walk.  This landed me in bed for 5 months, living alone, unable to walk or to perfrom basic activities of daily living.  In 2012, I had a discectomy and laminectomy and yet the day after surgery I continued  to have debilitating pain.  Over the next few years I searched all the traditional and alternative therapies I could find and none would give me any lasting relief to function normally without pain.  Chiropractors and Physical Therapist would “align my pelvis and spine” yet nothing helped longer than a day or two.  The medical professionals I consulted could not see anything wrong with me except L5 degenerative disc disease, which of course doctors recommended a 3 level spinal Fusion.  At one point in 2017 I could not bend over to tie my shoes… at that point I was helpless and hopeless with the years of chronic pain tearing down my emotional and physical reserves.  It was in my last moment of hope that I was given the name of a physical therapist who specialized in JBF myofascial release. I was to say the least very skeptical that she would be able to help me.  I was after all very fearful of being touched by someone and making my situation worse. However, She gave me confidence to try this “gentle alternative approach” and I drove two hours to my appointment , fearful of failure to my last chance of healing.  And WOW!  It only took one treatment for me to realize I had found a solution to my pain.  Joan and I worked together until I was painfree and able to MOVE WITH FREEDOM!!  

Currently I am 100% painfree and able to do any physical activity I wish…even rock climbing and Jui-jitsu.  So I understand the physical and emotional toll chronic pain takes on a person who has suffered more than they should. I also know that had I received JBF MFR years ago, my pelvis would have been and stayed balanced and I could have most likely avoided the surgery and DJD and not lost years of my life suffering in pain and isolation.  I feel that my experience has enabled me to understand and empathize with those that suffer from chronic pain and encourage those who’s body is warning them pain in on the horizon to take the leap and try JFB MFR to mitigate future movement dysfunctions.