“On the plus side, my saggy lower tummy and fold where my C-section scar is has definitely lifted! Can’t believe the difference in such a short time. I thought I would be wearing my ‘in-built apron’ forever”

cLAIRE

“I love the weeks with you and am learning so much – my core is transformed”

Ellie

“I am loving the classes – I have stopped all my other exercises as my back was so concerning – (for 2 years now) so I have been going slow with this and my back seems to be slowly getting better – truly a miracle after 2 years of quite intense pain. “

Rebecca

“You explain really well. Getting that tension through pulling back feet was really interesting… could feel everything engage through pelvis. Feeling very different and more definition in abs/belly etc already. Really enjoying doing this”

Caroline

I have been using Hypopressive exercises daily, Abby has given regular support along the way, both verbally and with detailed diagrams on new exercises. I am now nearly fully continent, this I put down to the Hypopressive regime and Abby’s support over the past 5 months. !

Lm

It is hard to get an appointment with Susana – but it is well worth the wait! 

Chameleon Therapies Pathhead:

Susana was a life saver her visceral healing was the spark that made me think that I could find a way to improve my quality of life. Susana now runs the Monday Pathhead class alongside me. Her energy, knowledge and understanding of how are bodies work adds value to every element of the teaching I do.

I received my Physiotherapy degree from the University of Cape Town in South Africa in 1999. I moved to Scotland the following year, working for Lothian NHS trust, where I worked in both a hospital setting and in medical centres as a musculoskeletal physiotherapist for three years. With an interest in promoting the intrinsic self-healing abilities of the body, I began to look at other holistic, structurally integrative therapies that would complement and add to my Physiotherapy skills.

I first undertook a post-graduate course in Acupuncture at the Renshu College of Chinese Medicine in London in 2001. The following year, I began my journey into CranioSacral Therapy (CST). It revolutionized my approach to assessment and treatment. Unable to use this method in the NHS setting, I began my own practice from home in 2003. Since then, I have continued to train in both CST and Visceral Manipulation (VM). More recently, through the need to look at other aspects that influence our healing ability, I studied Applied Kinesiology (AK) at the International college of Applied Kinesiology.

It is through Visceral Manipulation that I was introduced to the concept that increased thoracic pressures are responsible for organ prolapses and hernias. With VM, our approach is to treat the whole body to normalize these pressures and hence allow the tissues to recover.

Through Abby, I realised that my treatments addressed certain aspects: returning the organs to better function and improving their position in the abdomen. What I was not able to provide, was how she could maintain that improvement with the degree of prolapse she was experiencing. I have known for years that normal abdominal crunches and some Pilates exercises actually cause more issues, so rest, posture and caution in daily activities and repeated visits to reduce any tensions, were what I could offer. This was not enough. As a mother of two, I knew this. I myself have lived with some pelvic floor dysfunction after a 38 hour labour with my first and a 3rd degree tear with my second. Through Abby’s journey, I have been introduced to the Hypopressive Method and I myself have experienced improvement on many levels. Hypopressives help to recondition your deep core muscles and other postural muscles whilst ensuring that your pelvic floor is kept stress free. Reconditioning these involuntary muscles means that you will not have to be consciously aware when going about your daily activities. Something all busy mums can appreciate!

The reconditioning of these muscles is not just for women with pelvic floor dysfunction. Increased abdominal pressure can lead to abdominal and inguinal hernias in both men and women and can also be associated with prolapsed or herniated vertebral discs. Hypopressives address postural issues too, which are usually the cause of unknown aches and pains, headaches, lack of energy and more. This is something for everyone.