Shoulder Testimonials
Bring me your un-happy shoulder(s).
Your shoulder is connected to the rest of your body. The best way to find lasting improvement for your shoulder is to look at the big picture tension patterns throughout the body. Shoulder pain is often just the “boiling over” of deeper issues.
Postural distortions have their roots in breathing space constriction. Hidden constriction of the ribs creates this poor support for the foundational structure of the shoulder. When the ribs are compromised, the shoulder loses its stable base.
For people with a tendency toward an S-curve scoliosis, the constriction imbalances of what I call the “Inner-X lines” create a tension pattern diagonally through the body’s fascia, its structural fiber envelope. This “X” pattern tightens the fascia envelope toward one shoulder, restricting its movement and adding another layer of stress.
The root cause of shoulder pain is often hidden in these deeper structural imbalances.
I have movements designed to free the frozen shoulder without pain.
Address the root of the problem.
Considering Shoulder joint replacement surgery
“This has been a journey from constant pain and eagerly awaiting relief from shoulder surgery to an optimistic outlook, nearly full range of motion, almost a completely pain free situation, and no interest in a shoulder replacement operation. Remember, I was also suffering from sciatica. I’ve been transformed. Thank you!” -S. Department Chair, University of Michigan
Yoga teacher with a frozen shoulder
“These Somatics have made a difference already. Shows so well how this is a brain-body connection amnesia, and really makes a difference to spend this slooooowwww time connecting. I love it.
I’ve done acupuncture, massage, yoga therapy, self-inquiry, myofascial ball rolling, and this [Somatics] has really been the most helpful, I think. I have very limited range and still painful, but has a good feeling as well. I think it was good. Also, that I waited for the overall pain to lessen before starting anything, but probably individual decision on that. Glad it is not excruciating!” -J., Yoga Teacher
Eric’s wife Trudi found herself with frozen shoulder
After a fall while hiking two months earlier, the pain kept her up every night. An orthopedic surgeon, a shoulder specialist, said it was obviously a frozen shoulder with very little range. He prescribed 6 weeks of what was going to be extremely painful physical therapy.
Now, after 10 days since she started the frozen shoulder movements (which are painless) she is tells me that she considers her shoulder to be 80% free. The previous pain level of “9” is now a “2”. This remarkable progress is with only half an hour of practice day. For optimal progress, she should practice these easy, pain-free, Eric Cooper designed movements about an hour a day.
“Wow, it’s definitely worth a try. I was looking at painful PT or surgery. I’m not that into Somatics, but i’m glad I tried Eric’s his gentle movements. I’m happy to have made so much progress in just 10 days. It’s really nice to not have pain. After 10 days, most of the pain is gone. I look forward to more progress to being made. I’m trying not to let him know how great his method is. It acutally works.” -T. Wedding Officiant, Township Trustee, Wedding Officiant, Secretary General for an international non-profit corporation.
Zoom client in Croatia writes:
I wanted to share with you which I believe could be the massive key in whole the pattern of my body – I’ve been exploring shoulders from your YT videos and tried to play with left shoulder (having in mind that what is silent is making the mess in other parts) and found the the left shoulder is pretty frozen – this could be pulling the right side neck (I felt some letting go in pinched nerve of the right side of the neck and even the whole line of the left side down through the side down towards hip and releasing some curve on the right side).
At the beginning of my problems the physiotherapist did exactly what you’ve mentioned – pulling and stretched my shoulders. As I’m am left handed this could be the root – shoulder that is influencing the whole body….
God bless Trudy and her shoulder, since without her who knows would you have record this videos... -J., Zoom client in Croatia
Yoga teacher with a severe shoulder injury from her yoga practice
I feel empowered and supported. I am less anxious and afraid because of this. My awareness of what parts of me I am engaging, or not, is keener. I have less pain and was able to sleep more comfortably for a longer period of time last evening.”
After two more sessions:
“I am experiencing much less pain and have regained some range of motion, already. This thrills me and has me wanting to dig in even deeper to practicing and understanding and observing and knowing and, and, and . . .
“Just wanted to let you know that my shoulder cleared and I’m almost back to full range! Thx for your help along that healing journey!” -C. Relationship Counselor
Client with a medical diagnosis of Frozen Shoulder and Adhesive Capsulitis, 6 years of shoulder problems, describing her pain as persistent and relentless. After first session writes:
“Thank you again for your tremendous support & expertise yesterday – I am feeling good today. Noticeable changes were immediate – less pain and stiffness, more movement and freedom. Today I felt pretty good to be in my body which hasn’t happened in quite a long time, thank you for reminding me what it feels like to feel some freedom in my body it is good incentive to practice. I cannot thank you enough for your generosity of spirit and special gifts.” -M. Advertising Expert
The issue client wanted to improve:
“I want to correct my posture…I’m unbalanced, I have chronic neck and shoulder pain. I know my hips are uneven…I practice yoga regularly and its brought a lot of awareness to my imbalances, although I have not been able tor evolve them. I spent a year doing chiropractic adjustments for my cervical curve… …at the end of the year, a new X-ray showed ZERO change.”
After the second Zoom session with Eric Cooper:
“Just have to say I felt SO great after today’s session…I took a yoga class later this morning and felt so limber, open, present and aware and it was just an awesome experience! Excited to keep practicing. ☺️” -L.
“I’m feeling very good after the session yesterday. No soreness or tightness–I don’t remember the last time my shoulders felt so good! So far practice is going well.” -A. Working on her masters degree in Social Work
“By the end of the first session, I felt embodied into my left hip an leg in a new and substantive way. I have enjoyed a daily practice of somatic exercises and over the weeks watched the interoceptive experience of my body change. The experience of a sharp contrast between the left and right halves of my soma has been muted. Somatic exercise provides efficient relief from low back tension; my nocturnal teeth grinding is gone and the symptoms of “rotator cuff injury” are largely diminished.
-M., Retired, Traveler, and Student of Deeper Meanings
Three days after the session:
“Thanks for fixing my shoulder. I was going to go to the massage therapist. Now, I don’t have to.” -Adam, ceramics artist after the Ann Arbor Art Fair Note: I helped his brain figure out how to fix his shoulder problem.
“My shoulder felt better for a whole year after the last time I came to see you.“ -Linda, Comforter of the Newborn Babies
A Frozen Shoulder, After first session:
“I slept so good last night! Shoulder pain was gone for first time in 6 mos!
I feel safer in my body today than I can remember and feel rested and relaxed and empowered about taking my body back! Yes I am sore but nothing I can’t handle.
Lots of stuff getting released. This is powerful and empowering work. I am sending people your way who need it too.
I cannot thank you enough for providing an effective solution in such a gentle, caring, intentional way…your delivery feels palpably congruent!”
After second session: “I slept good (but not super deep like first session) and woke up NOT in pain for first time in 7 months! So you fixed my waking and sleeping pain and I wasn’t even sore at all! I thought I would be hurting but no, pain free and increased mobility and tons of energy moving now. I woke on my own at 6:30 this morning which is early, I felt so good. There are still mobility issues but I think you cleared one at least and opened up better movement overall.”
-M. Marketing and Sales Coordinator
One day after the session: “It was epic for sure!!! Thank you again Eric and I look forward to our next session! My lower back, neck, hips and shoulders still feel amazing, and the lower back pain is gone!!!” Two weeks later, writing: “The homework results are definitely paying off.” -J. Massage Therapist
“I am doing well! I have been feeling more aware of my posture, particularly my shoulders and movement when I am walking. What I noticed most significantly was that I slept much better last night! When I did wake up, was not feeling pain in my shoulder, which is very encouraging! “ -M., Interviewer
“Hello Eric, Thank you again for the wonderful somatic healing. I have been very busy, and will be getting on a plane in just two days for Germany. My shoulder pain has gone away (which I’m just noticing now!) and I feel good overall.” T. -World Traveller
After 4 visits: “Eric has done great work on me. I used to go once a month for massages to ease shoulder, neck and back pain to various massage studios, since I started going to Eric I haven’t looked back. To me it feels like he is fixing the root problem, a regular massage just seems to temporarily fixes the symptom. Can’t recommend him enough. Plus he’s a super nice guy too!” -B., Nightclub Manager
She had been keeping her painful arm in a sling for months. After two sessions: “I highly recommend Eric Cooper!! My right shoulder and neck were in incredible amounts of pain due to a layered problem of softball and skateboarding injuries. From years of having this condition I started giving up hope that it would ever heal. Upon first talking with Eric, he could sense this and reassured me that I had a lot of reason for hope. And he was right! Eric significantly improved my situation in one session!
I previously went to a chiropractor who did not do justice for my situation, but who in fact, made it worse. Going to Eric Cooper was a world of a difference. A quality that stood out to me the most was his excellent listening skills. He spent time understanding exactly what was occurring and handled my situation with delicacy and patience. As a patient, I felt cared for and understood.
For the first time in years, my shoulder finally felt like it was supporting itself again and this was only after one session! The entire experience has significantly improved my well-being and I highly recommend going to see Eric Cooper!” -C., Student
“When I had lost hope my right shoulder would ever heal years ago, Eric was the person who gave me hope back and helped me significantly heal my right shoulder. Without that, I would not be able to live my passion. I am forever grateful. This dance is for blessings to your new sacred healing space.” – C. Student
I received this review 4 months after the sessions. Patient with chronic headaches and knee pain. “Eric is the best of the best. I’ve lived with chronic pain for years and have tried just about everything – massage, acupuncture, physical therapy, yoga, prescriptions, chiropractic adjustments, etc. Eric was THE most helpful practitioner I’ve worked with. His assessments are incredibly thorough, his touch is gentle, and his demeanor is consummately professional.
In the first session he figured out (and then explained to me) how my chronic migraines and headaches, my right shoulder tension, and my left knee pain were all related. WHAT?! He spent an hour taking me through gentle stretches [they are not really stretches, they are pandiculations] and giving gentle massage and my twisty spine lined right up and my pain was gone. The next day my knee felt so much better I sat on the floor cross-legged for the first time in 6 months! Most importantly, Eric taught me how to take care of myself and maintain these improvements through home-therapy. It’s now been 4 months since I had 2 sessions with Eric and my knee pain is completely resolved and my headaches are vastly improved. If I could only ever see one bodyworker again there’s no doubt I would choose Eric.” -K., Graduate Student at U of M, Acro-yoga Practitioner
Writing three weeks after a single session on shoulder dysfunction from a skydiving accident 2 years earlier. “Wow man!! I just had to tell you. Ever since you have done the work on my shoulder It has been verrrrry good. I think you may have fixed it.“ -B. Professional Skydiver and Musician
After a first session, With lots of pain all over. Worst in the back and shoulders.
“I had two days of complete, 100% relief after our treatment! I felt balanced, aligned, and stronger than I have in probably a decade. :)” -N. Accountant
Daughter writing, about 87 year old parent with very rounded shoulders, head forward posture. “My Mom’s shoulders feel better, thank you for your help.” –L. Daughter
“Hi Eric, My neck and shoulders were so relaxed last night and also today. Thank you for the progress there!”