I had been suffering with back and hip pain for about a year. At times the pain was so bad that I would start my day in tears, wondering if I was going to suffer the rest of my life. I had a CT scan, MRI, x-rays, several cortisone injections, physical therapy, a quaky healer, three epidurals and a finally a back surgeon. The surgeon couldn’t figure out why I was experiencing the pain and referred me to a pain specialist who suspected the problem was due to my hip…. As a last resort, I saw my chiropractor again since she had been the only healthcare professional who relieved me of pain in past, and really listened. My problems were out of her league, but she did refer me to Marisa Myer for DNS.

I wasn't sure what Marisa was doing during our first visit but by the end of it, something had changed… There was a difference in my pain, like a release… I worked on the exercises and techniques Marisa was teaching me. I continued to see Marisa a couple of times a week for a few months. Each time, my pain becoming less and less. Marisa's techniques changed my life. I no longer start my day in pain and I am very aware of how I use my body and how I respond to pain. I have integrated her teachings into my everyday workouts and life.

It amazes me that an orthopedist, back surgeon, hip surgeon, and physical therapist couldn't help me, but Marisa could. There were clues that the healthcare professionals all missed, but that Marisa immediately picked up on. I will probably never see a physician first for any sort muscle/body pain again. I will always start with Marisa.

Finding Marisa and this therapy has been the biggest blessing in my life. For the first time in 10+ years I am overcoming chronic pain and increasing my endurance! I have been dealing with a back injury for 18 years (multiple bulging and herniated discs, Degenerative Disc Disease, Facet Joint arthritis). I've also had SI Joint issues for 10 years from a car accident, and also hip issues (I had reconstructive hip surgery 2 years ago to help me until I'm able to have both hips replaced), and I also have Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome ("double jointed"). I have had countless years of physical therapy, massage therapy, chiropractic care, acupuncture treatments, etc. I have had 20+ injections in my spine, SI Joint, and hip area, and I had RFA and more recently I had endoscopic rhizotomies on my SI Joint area. I am being pressured by my doctors to have multiple areas fused - but I know that that isn't the route that I want to take for my body. Fusions always lead to more fusions down the road.

This is the first therapy that I have felt actually works! It targets the exact muscles that I've needed to strengthen. Physical therapy sessions would leave me sore and unable to move for days. With Marisa I feel a good kind of sore, but with strength added in. For the first time since my car accident I have been able to jog along with my young kids, and I've even roller skated! I believe in Marisa and in this therapy. For anyone struggling with a back injury, SI Joint dysfunction, or pelvic floor issues - I highly recommend giving Marisa the chance to help you!

Working with Marisa was something I always looked forward to. My multi-modality Chiropractor referred me to her for DNS exercise as my pain was severe - primarily throughout my back, but also practically everywhere. My body felt less and less like my own. I had always been so active and athletic so the fact that walking had become a challenge was pretty depressing.

Marisa guided me with DNS exercises and bodywork to release my pain far more effectively than anything else I had tried (along with the support of my Chiropractor who also incorporated DNS). She helped me reclaim my body and really listened to how I felt - but also didn’t allow me to get stuck on that but focus on being free in my body. All the other exercises I had been given by my Physical Therapist, personal trainer, Pilates Instructors made my body feel tighter and more wound up somehow. Aside from releasing my pain and tension, Marisa’s exercises allowed me to move more freely and with ease, coordination and balance.

She is a wealth of knowledge, incredibly skilled, and is constantly learning more. I am so grateful to have met her. She is so easy to be with and learn from - she has great compassion and truly cares.

Olympia is lucky to have her!

Marisa is outstanding. Via her deep understanding of muscle and body movement and interconnectivity she has helped me solve my cervical spine issues and dramatically reduce headache pain. No surgery, no painkillers, no unnatural intervention. I had been suffering for 6 years so this is a new lease on life for me, quite amazing changes. I’m so grateful our chiropractor recommender her!

I’ve dealt with major back issues since my twenties (now in my 70s). Though reasonably athletic in youth, I encountered limitations from lower back pain. The lower disc would herniate, resulting in severe pain, missed office days, disappointment on ski trips, and frequent overall discomfort. My doctors recommended exercises to strengthen my core, but the problems would return. Although I did my sit-ups, I still needed powerful medication to get through the intense spasms.

The improvement in working with Marisa has been remarkable. I stopped missing an office day or social event. Marisa’s techniques have dramatically improved my core strength so that hiking and biking are much more enjoyable than a few years ago.

My brother recently complimented me on my improved capabilities in cycling even at my age. I’ve also enjoyed better balance while hiking steep trails.

An improved physical core has helped my mental state as well. Chronic pain has negative effects, and it has been great to feel my mood lighten as I don’t feel the tightness or worry about future pain. Our sessions are enjoyable and educational. Marisa’s technical knowledge of the human body is comprehensive, and she works very carefully around my back issues. I felt quite comfortable doing new or challenging exercises.

Marisa joyfully practices “relentless optimism”, and it certainly has made a difference in my health.

One of the best decisions I have made for my lower back pain has been going to Brilliant Backs and working with Marisa. I had tried yoga, chiropractic work and lots of stretching to get relief but after months of this nothing was working. After two weeks of working with Marisa I felt relief and it has not returned. I feel stronger and a lot more confident in not getting injured when I exercise. Marisa is very knowledgeable and great at communicating making our sessions fun.

It's been a joy to work with Marisa! I'm an active person and have been experiencing pain at the end of most of my days… I have felt the stress on my body with activities that used come naturally… I was having to limit my activities due to chronic pain and ankle strain. Physical therapy was helpful though I haven't felt like some of the results stuck, even as I continued to do my exercises. I was starting to lose confidence in my body and I knew there had to be an alternative.

After just the third session with Marisa, my back strain issue resolved, and we began uncovering where I have been moving incorrectly for years. From feet to knees and hip to shoulders, Marisa's helping me to realign how I move while engaging my core. She's given me the experience of full body ease and alignment while in motion, like walking barefoot and having it feel good!  My arches are slowly strengthening, and my knees are much improved.

Marisa's approach is thorough, accommodating my pace, progress and needs. She gives great guidance and immediate feedback. She's a great coach and gets so excited when I've mastered a movement even for just a couple seconds! Integrating movement awareness with the breath, muscles and nervous system is her superpower. I love how her technique compliments my current somatic studies and assist me to be even more aware of being in my body. I totally recommend working with Marisa. It's worth it!

I've always enjoyed being active and had the pleasure of taking Marisa's DNS/Pilates classes. Aside from making the class feel comfortable by her friendly and warm disposition, Marisa really helped me to get stronger in a new way - I could feel muscles I didn't know I had! While releasing tension from muscles I didn't realize were so tight. She made it safe for everyone and I always left feeling absolutely fantastic and empowered. She can really tune into what's physically going on in my body and knew exactly what I needed.

I love how strong my core and back felt after our sessions, and really my entire body! I feel lucky to have had her as a teacher and wish she was still teaching in CA...

Bravo Marisa!