Dr Vladimir Zagorodnyuk *
I am Dr Vladimir Zagorodnyuk – senior research officer at the Department of Human Physiology of Flinders University. I would like to express my appreciation to Michael Butler for his treatment of my upper back problems by using a variety of musculoskeletal therapy techniques including SCENAR technology.
My work as a research scientist involves spending long hours in front of a microscope and computer. In addition, I have always had poor posture. Over the years I developed a chronic upper back pain due to the dystrophic changes in my spine and narrowing of the intervertebral spaces (as was evident on the X-ray images).
I was treated for more that 8 months by a chiropractor without success. What’s more, my upper back pain and clear disbalance between left and right shoulders were clearly exacerbated during the chiropractor treatment. I also started suffering from headaches at that time. I found out about a new method for the treatment of chronic back pain – SCENAR technique – on the internet. That is how I contacted Michael Butler who is the only practitioner in Adelaide, fully accredited to use this method.
My first visit to Michael left me quite amazed. Although his treatment was quite subtle and very non-invasive (huge contrast to the chiropractor), it brought about an immediate and substantial improvement to my condition. After that initial visit to Michael, my left shoulder dropped ~ 3.5 cm and pain and muscle spasms in my upper back disappeared for a while. For the next 2 months I kept attending the chiropractor’s clinic until I realized that I was on a “see-saw”: the chiropractor was harming me on Wednesdays, while Michael was “clearing the damage” on Fridays. I then gave up on the chiropractor and instead trusted Michael to fix me.
From then onwards I came to Michael once or twice a month for about 4 months and my upper back pain and discomfort improved significantly. Actually, I can now say that I am free from pain and happy again. I would like to emphasize that Michael used a combination of different techniques for my back problem. He usually combines SCENAR with his modification of Dorn and Bowen techniques. I believe that this combination was the key for my successful treatment.
Once again I would like to thank Michael Butler and I will definitely recommend his gentle and non-invasive approach and treatment methods to anyone who is suffering from back pain or other musculoskeletal problems.
Michael has also successfully helped me to recover from a recent wrist/lower arm fracture.
Dr Vladimir Zagorodnyuk
Senior Research Officer
Department of Human Physiology
Flinders University of South Australia
Tel: 61-8-8204-8945
Fax: 61-8-8204-5768
e-mail address: vladimir.zagorodnyuk@flinders.edu.au
Grace Schirripa *
In January 2006, while in my early thirties, I suffered a stroke that initially paralyzed my left side. I was placed on a rehabilitation programme and made some progress in regaining mobility. However, 2 years after the stroke, walking was still very difficult because my left foot was permanently turned inward and pointing down so that I could barely put my left heel on the ground. Also, my left arm was always bent tightly at the elbow and my left hand remained clenched and flexed at the wrist.
I was desperate to try to regain further functionality of my left leg and arm but doctors had advised me that, because of the stroke damage, I should not expect to gain much more improvement. While searching the internet, my sister found some information on remarkable results being obtained by using SCENAR therapy to treat stroke sufferers. Upon making further enquiries, I learned that Michael Butler was using SCENAR to treat patients at his clinic in my home city of Adelaide.
When I first came to see Michael in February 2008 I was hopeful but apprehensive about what he may be able to do to help me. After Michael had assessed me, he decided to work initially on treating my left leg and foot. He identified key muscles that were not working properly and so were preventing normal walking. Michael used SCENAR therapy, together with a number of other supporting techniques.
I continued to see Michael twice per week for treatment and after a couple of weeks there were definite signs that the problem muscles in my left leg and foot were starting to work again. This was a great encouragement to me! The twice weekly treatment continued, with work on my problem left arm and hand being added to my treatment sessions. Michael stressed that it was important for me to supplement the clinic work with a series of daily exercises that he devised specifically for me. The exercises have been modified and become progressively more challenging as my body has become stronger. Now each clinic session includes a carefully supervised routine of remedial exercises, together with the SCENAR and other treatments.
In addition to dealing with the physical effects caused by a stroke, Michael’s treatment and counselling assists in dealing with the often unrecognized emotional impact of a stroke.
After 16 months of treatment, I am now able to walk quite normally, and can straighten the left arm that had been bent for so long. I have improved so much under this treatment programme. With Michael’s help I have been able to disprove the gloomy medical assessment that I would just have to accept the limited mobility that I still had two years after my stroke. I am continuing to improve my strength and mobility and there is still more work needed to reach my goals.
Michael stated from the outset that teamwork would be the key to achieving the best results, with him doing what he could do, supported by me doing the remedial exercise programme that I had to do.
For anyone who has suffered a stroke there are both physical and emotional traumas to overcome, and Michael has helped me greatly in both of these aspects.
I would like to express my appreciation to Michael for the work he has done, and continues to do, for me. I can strongly recommend his clinic work, especially SCENAR therapy, to anyone who suffers pain and physical immobility.
Alba Barrientos *
I came to Michael by random chance after having spent thousands of dollars on back treatments, following a serious motor accident. For over 5 years I have been seeing chiropractors, physiotherapists, osteopaths, acupuncturists, GPs, orthopaedic surgeons, have had X-rays and scans, numerous kinds of massages, tried Yoga and Pilates, and hired a very expensive exercise therapist once. I was at my wits’ end, cranky a lot of the time and even cried out of helplessness and because of the pain on other occasions. I felt that everyone was sort of guessing here and there, and even felt that the combination of all those people “working” on me, had just exacerbated the problem instead of fixing it. At best I achieved some very temporary relief before going back to square one. My quality of life was greatly compromised.
The thing that caught my attention at the start with Michael was the fact that because he is an athlete himself, he has some real sound knowledge of the body and what happens when it comes out of balance. He also has extensive knowledge of various techniques and does not apply a one-size-fits-all kind of treatment to all his patients, instead custom-tailoring a different treatment for each patient depending on his or her case.
When I arrived at his office, he instantly came across as a kind and personable individual, and that made me feel at ease right away. In time I came to see him as a good man who genuinely cared and wanted you to get better and not having you come back over and over and over! The first thing he did was make me walk to one end of the room and back while he observed my movements and what was wrong with them. Nobody in 5 years had ever done that. After 3 weeks I could see a vast improvement and sense that I was finally on the right track, thank God. He treated me with the SCENAR device, which has proved to provide a lot of benefits for me. I am now free from pain and am very grateful that my path crossed with this practitioner, who uses such remarkable healing methods.
I would not hesitate to recommend him should you need to find someone to help you with any of your issues. In case anyone needs to chat in order to confirm any of the above mentioned statements, feel free to contact me at 0414 715 335.
Kind regards and best of luck in your healing journey, Michael.
Dr Judy Ford – The Lifestyle Doctor *
I visited Michael Butler as one last try after seeing over 30 other therapists and doctors. The therapists included Osteopaths, Chiropractors, Physiotherapists, Bowen Therapists, Neuro-Kinetic Therapists, Masseurs, Doctors who performed Prolotherapy, Podiatrists, Sports Medicine Doctors and Orthopaedic Specialists. I had also worked with Hydrotherapy, Tai Chi and Pilates. Some of these practitioners or exercises (especially the exercises) gave me some relief of my symptoms but after 2½ years I wasn’t much better than I was after 6 months.
My “condition” started approximately 2½ years ago after a couple of weeks in which I played golf (and tried to change my swing) and lifted and carried several heavy objects. The objects in question, a carpet square and 3 heavy framed paintings each required me to twist as I carried them. And in each case I carried the object more than 500 metres. This was incredibly stupid….. DON’T DO THIS!
First symptom: left leg collapsing under body weight and acute pain in lower back. Second symptom whilst trying to walk: amazing twisting sensation that seemed to involve pelvis and rib cage. Ongoing symptoms: twisted pelvis giving large difference in effective leg length, progressive osteo-arthritic changes, difficulty walking, “hobbling” and often requiring a walking stick; inability to bend down, inability to stand up from a chair without assistance (eg from pushing on the seat of the chair), inability to rotate hips, virtually no sideways movement of legs. At first I suffered severe pain, especially at night in groin, hips and legs. This reduced after about 8 months to low grade chronic pain mostly at night.
I have seen Michael four times. I am not yet completely cured but he has restored my balance, my knees no longer turn inwards when I stand and I can stand up from a chair without assistance. I am also about 80% less stiff than I was after sitting, especially at my computer. I can walk faster and yesterday could almost perform the action of a “breast stroke kick”. One of my friends said that I no longer roll my left foot over when I walk.
Anne Miller *
I had suffered constant pain for 3-4 years as a result of falls that caused bursitis in both hips. Then I developed a lumbar spinal rotation, accompanied by referred pain down both legs.
I had tried numerous forms of treatment, including doctors and specialists, acupuncture, massage, musculoskeletal therapy and chiropractic. At best, some of these treatments brought slight temporary pain relief. Because I was unable to sleep well, I was always tired and my despair and frustration continued to grow.
I went to see Michael Butler because he offered a different approach. To treat my situation, he used a combination of different treatment methods, including SCENAR, Emmett and Dorn therapies. Treatment brought about some relief almost straight away, but the extent of my problems required weekly sessions for some ten weeks to overcome the full extent of the issues that no-one else could resolve. As Michael explained to me, there were major postural and bio-mechanical abnormalities that required to be corrected to return by body to proper function
Now it is great to be able to sleep well for the whole night and to be able to go through the day without pain and not be feeling tired all the time.
I believe that it is the unique combination of treatment methods Michael uses that have enabled me to overcome my pain and dysfunction and to regain my health.
I can strongly recommend Michael’s services. Do not continue to suffer pain when Michael can bring you the relief you need!
Feres Trabilsie *
To one of life’s natural healers and true gentlemen:
My sincere thanks for your very professional service that you give me. You are a caring and healing man, a very special person who I respect and you are a credit to the profession you serve.
Not many – and I have experienced many in my 86 years – can even get close to your healing technique. You have delivered me from back pain like no other and have helped me to cope with old age.
You have equipped me with a legacy I did not expect in my old age. Your treatments and exercises have made me as fit as I have ever been, and that enables me to be comfortable even if I am unable to attend for your regular expert treatments.
You will contribute to many lives for which God will always bless you and guide you.
I thank you and God for the day we met. Please remember me as a person who appreciates you as a genuine healer and friend. You are in my prayers.
Yours, in gratitude,
Feres Trabilsie
* Note that results from our treatments may vary for different individuals.
