"I was riding a crowded bus home, slouching after a long day of work - and out of nowhere one of my front ribs sprung out of place."
When I began taking exercise classes from Cam (Cam Cameron), I met Erica, who I saw as the poster child of Cam's teachings. She stood tall and straight and her posture inspired me every time I saw her in class.
I told her she was an inspiration to me, and she replied "Cam has helped me so much. I used to be a basket case."
Here is Erica's story, that she wrote to me in an email:
I did not know I had skeletal problems until inexplicably one night in
December 2007. I was riding a crowded
bus home, slouching after a long day of work - and out of nowhere one of my front
ribs sprung out of place. I didn't know
what the sharp pain was - and began having a panic attack.
The next day I arrived at a very well-known chiropractor in Vancouver,
BC. My ribs were all out of place, making it hard to breathe.
I spent the next four years going to him twice or three times a week
at $140 a visit. I would have some
relief - but if I made any sudden movements or played my clarinet at all - I
would slip right back into the pain and nerve cycle. I realized that I could not practice
unless it was absolutely necessary.
I was constantly experiencing panic attacks, canker sores, and other
manifestations of the constant pain and stress I was in.
We moved to Bellingham in December of 2011. By the next July, I had played my most important gig to date. Just after that performance, my ribs, neck,
and pecs had become so stressed that if I even gestured to the position of
holding a clarinet, my nerve paths would go crazy and I wouldn't be able to
handle the pain.
Then my husband noticed Cam at Bellingham Fitness. The amazing part was that he noticed Cam training with someone, and recognized him. It turns out that Cam had helped my husband and his father, when my husband was 13 years old in Canada. Once he realized that this was the same Cam, he was sure I could be helped to reduce some of my pain.
Then my husband noticed Cam at Bellingham Fitness. The amazing part was that he noticed Cam training with someone, and recognized him. It turns out that Cam had helped my husband and his father, when my husband was 13 years old in Canada. Once he realized that this was the same Cam, he was sure I could be helped to reduce some of my pain.
In my first session with Cam, he assured me that I had no
permanent damage to my skeleton and muscles, and just needed lots of new
strength, breaking of bad habits, and relearning skills. Within 3 months I began to see
and feel enormous changes to my emotions, my stress, and my pain. As
I began to see the changes, my improvement increased exponentially.
I began bringing my instrument to my sessions, and would play and he
would make adjustments both to my physical stance and to my mental
approach to playing the instrument, and emotionally connecting with the music. In the first year I was able to get back to
practicing and playing concerts with much more ease.
It’s been nearly 3 years since I began seeing Cam, and my life is
completely different. I still need check-ups
and my body still requires constant skill training - but I wouldn't have it any
other way.
My clarinet playing has improved by 40% since seeing him, my ability
to participate and the amount of concerts I have accepted is three times more
than before. I now feel strong. I feel like I can reengage in all the
activities I used to love to do.
Fencing is my latest sport. It’s very strenuous, and I have not had any
problem with my ribs or body while enjoying this pastime. In addition, I attend Cam’s gym classes twice
a week, as well as doing short sessions of exercise at home every day, and
being a mom of two young children. Cam
has shown me that fitness and the ability to live with my body is not a static
experience. It is constantly changing,
and being challenged. I now know how to
listen to my body, to pay attention to it, and to refrain from pushing it
beyond its limits.
I am so grateful for Cam, as I don't think I
would be playing if it weren't for him, and I certainly wouldn't be enjoying
life as much as I am now!
Thanks, Erica, for your story.
I (Katie) have been taking Cam's classes now at least once a week for several months, and slowly finding myself sitting and standing straighter, and having more energy.
He has a website, a book and a DVD. Contact him through www.revive-a-back.com.
Or watch him on youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WSHuKY_0Ygk.
