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Shoulder Testimonials


Bring me your un-happy shoulder(s).


The shoulder is connected to the rest of you.

The best way to find improvement for your shoulder is to look at the big picture tension issue.
The shoulder is the boiling-over of the problem.

The root of the problem is usually in the
foundational support and mobility of the shoulder.


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.


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 severe shoulder injury from her yoga practice

“We covered a lot of ground, you packed a concentrated “punch” (think an ambrosial fruit punch rather than a harsh blow, lol) – an experience that can be savored, analyzed, digested, better understood, expanded on, and practiced over and over in a variety of ways, times and spaces.  Thank you.
It is a very good challenge to rise to the level of instruction that you are offering and will take me some time to assimilate it, naturally.  It is an experience of learning and unlearning at the same time. 
I feel emboldened to move in ways that, up until now, I have been “afraid” to. Because you are guiding me in so respectfully, slowly, intently I can trust that what I do will be helpful not hurtful.  Big Change.

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 . . .

I am beyond grateful for your attention and guidance and am very interested in continued learning and practicing of Inspired Somatic Education.”
-S., Yoga Teacher, Minister

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


I am SO grateful to Eric Cooper for his practice. Since seeing him, my pain has decreased (shoulder pain) and my range of motion is improving. I’m sleeping better and am significantly more comfortable! Since Eric teaches you as he helps you heal, you actually are in control and gain tools to maintain the gains you achieve. Brilliant! 🙏🏽 -C, clinical social worker

After a series of sessions:
“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.
Thanks to Eric and Inspire Somatics, I have regular access to a joyful substrate of my being. I find myself singing and laughing more often and the range of my voice has extended on both ends. I heartily recommend Clinical Somatic Education for self-empowerment to everyone.”

-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!”