Here is what our patients have to say about us.    ( You can also read the testimonial of our own Office Manager, Tracey Roberts, at the bottom of the column.)

TRACY P. FROM SPRING GROVE

In July of 2006 my husband and I were on our way home from a day of fishing at Lake Redman. We loaded our boat in the back of my husband's truck and headed home. It was dusk as we headed down the road. We were talking about our catches of the day. It just happened to be the day before our Anniversary. It was a perfect day.

Out of no where came a pickup truck in our lane headed toward us. The truck hit us on the side rear area of my husband's truck. We ended up skidding down the road and rolling over two times until we came to a stop against the side of the road.

The man who hit us was drunk. As usual, he was not hurt. My husband was lucky and had only a torn Pectoral Muscle in his chest from the seat belt. I had a huge bruise on my arm from hitting the road each time we rolled. At the time nothing else seemed to be wrong.

About 2 weeks later I started getting tremendous headaches. I went to my family doctor who gave me pills for the pain. After weeks of dealing with the extreme headaches with no results, my doctor sent me to a specialist. He recommended physical therapy. I asked him if I could also receive massage therapy. He wrote a prescription for both.

I've known Kevin personally for quite awhile, but never really thought of massage therapy for anything except to relax you. He kept saying "I can probably help your neck, Tracy. Just come to see me." What did I have to lose?

The day before my first visit with Kevin I had a horrible headache and went to see the specialist about scheduling a shot in my neck for the pain. The next day I went to see Kevin for my initial visit. WOW, what a difference he made! I couldn't believe in just one visit how much better I felt. I ended up canceling the appointment for the shot and began seeing Kevin 2 times a week. I also continued doing physical therapy at the same time, however, I know it was the massage therapy that made the difference. My headaches have gone and I can turn and bend my neck without pain!! He has even fixed my lower back which has been out of whack since I was 18 yrs old.

I have been recommending massage therapy and Kevin's business to everyone I know. Everyone can benefit from massage. It's the most incredible type of therapy I have ever used and benefited from.

KIM B. FROM YORK...

With a chance comment about what a miraculous machine the human body really is, I was fortunate to meet Kevin Bruck and learn about the benefits and differences of medical massage. This conversation took place the same week I was undergoing a battery of conventional medical tests (x-ray, ct scan, and colonoscopy) to determine the cause of back, hip, and abdominal pain. That conversation with Kevin gave me someone to turn to when doctors and conventional medicine couldn't help me.

My pain and discomfort had been steadily increasing over the past four years and had finally reached the point where my pain was severely interfering with daily activities. The pain was so intense that I could no longer stretch out flat or even sleep in a bed. My tests all came back negative and the doctors were pleased to report that I had no disease, syndrome or condition to account for the pain. However, they could offer nothing to reduce or eliminate it either; telling me that I just had to learn to live with the pain. Fortunately, before I would accept that prognosis for the future, I called Kevin Bruck at Restored Balance.

Kevin was able to evaluate my muscle condition and immediately confirmed that my pain was related to muscle contraction and tightness. He felt sure that massage could make a difference and suggested I start weekly massage sessions. Within just two sessions I was standing straighter and taller, feeling longer and leaner (that was an unexpected side benefit!) After just 7-1/2 hours of deep, medical massage therapy, I feel like a new person. Pain in my hip and back is now rare and no longer interferes with the things I want to do. I have even been to able sleep restfully in a bed for the first time in months. My flexibility, movement, and digestive health have also tremendously improved.

Thanks, Kevin, for giving me an early Christmas present,a non- medication, surgery-free, hands-on tremendous improvement in my health and life!!

JIM R. FROM MT. WOLF

About five and a half years ago, I had the misfortune of injuring my lower back.  My injury was not severe enough to warrant any kind of surgery so I was at least lucky in that respect. For the previous ten years, I had made it a regular habit to visit my local chiropractor for routine adjustments to my spine. Therefore, it was only logical that after I injured my back, I continued to see him. By being cautious in my activity and continuing my chiropractic treatments, I was at least able to remain functional.

In March or April of 2006, my wife became injured. One day, while trying to lift and assist her, guess what happened? You're right! I messed my back up again.

Even with medical assistance and chiropractic work, I was still getting a perpetual pain in the base of my spine and pain running down my left leg. I consumed ibuprofen daily just to help ease the pain, and still the pain persisted. Work became a challenge simply because I couldn't sit for any length of time. My only relief came from laying flat on the floor with a pillow under my legs for support or getting outside and taking a brisk walk. Unfortunately, even that relief was just temporary.

In July of 2006, my sister shared with me the great success she was having working with Kevin at Restored Balance. She recommended that I give him a try and see if he could do anything to help relieve the pain. After a bit of coaxing, I finally gave in.

After my very first session, the change was amazing. I got the best night's sleep I had had in over a month. The pain slowly returned a few days later (as Kevin said it would) but it wasn't nearly as severe. I also noticed that I had a much greater range of movement and I was able to sit without all the intense pain I once had. Kevin also recommended that I purchase a simple object at a local store that I could sit on which would continue to keep my muscles from tightening up in between sessions.

By the end of my 4th session (only 2 hours total), I was pain free. That's right, pain free!

Since then, I have continued to sit on the object when needed and visit Kevin once a month just for maintenance work. I am also glad to report that the pain has not returned.

If you are suffering from lower back pain like I was or any other pain for that matter, make plans to visit Kevin or one of his therapists. I'm sure you will be happy with your decision. My sister and I were, you will be too!

ROBIN H. FROM YORK...

I want to thank you for making my back and legs feel like new! For more than 20 years, I suffered with lower back pain and sciatic nerve pain down my left leg. I was diagnosed with several bulging discs, a healed fracture, degenerative changes, congenital abnormalities and restless leg syndrome. I was also developing spinal scoliosis (I lost almost 2 inches in a short period of time). After being treated by a Chiropractor and getting short term relief, I had a steroid injection into the area. Still having no relief, I resolved to living with the pain. My husband suggested I call Restored Balance and give you a try. I didn't know what to expect, I guess just a relaxing massage that would hopefully make me feel better. After your evaluation, you told me my problems and how you can help me. I still wasn't quite sure. My pelvis was tilted and tipped, my spine was curved and my shoulders were pulled forward. I didn't know how you could help after living so long with the pain. After only 4 treatments, I couldn't believe the difference in how I felt and now after 7 treatments, I have very little pain (usually none) in my lower back, no pain down my left leg and my back is now straight. My restless leg is almost completely gone. I feel like a new person!!! I can't believe how much better I feel and my clothing even fits differently! I always thought my one leg was shorter than the other but it was only because my pelvis was tipped and since my spine is straight, I actually have a waist and my stomach doesn't pouch out anymore!!

Thank you again for making me feel and look like a new person. I know we still have work to do, but I haven't felt this good for a very long time! I am telling everyone I know about your "healing touch"!

DIANE L. FROM BALTIMORE...

Fourteen years ago, I was a passenger in a car that was involved in a motor vehicle accident. At the time of the accident, I sustained minor cuts and bruises but nothing significant that I was aware of. I was age 18 at the time. Shortly after the accident, small (supposedly unrelated) things started happening to me. Things like lower back aches, pain in my left knee, much heavier menstrual cycles, and lots and lots of cramping. Over the years, these symptoms grew worse and new ones started to appear like irritable bowel syndrome and migraine headaches. My family doctor loaded me up on my share of pain killers and anti-inflammatories. At age 25, I got married and tried to start a family. Unfortunately, we weren't having any luck. After three years of trying and two more years of infertility procedures, we had all but given up. Having a baby seemed hopeless and my body seemed to be falling apart. That was when I was referred to Kevin. Before he gave me my first massage, he had me stand where he could check out my body from head to toe. During his examination, he recognized that my pelvis was way out of alignment and that I appeared to have a lot of scar tissue built up in the front of my abdomen (approximately where the seat belt had been.) As a result of his skills and his wonderful medical massage, my lower back pain and knee pain are completely gone, my cramping disappeared, and my migraine headaches are non-existent. Best of all, 3 weeks after my first massage, I had a "normal" period for once, and three weeks after that, we were pregnant.

I can't say enough about Kevin. He gave me my life back, but more importantly, he gave us our beautiful daughter Ashley. To any female out there that is having problems with her period or having trouble getting pregnant, let Kevin take a look and see if he can help you. It may be the best decision you'll ever make. I know it was for me.

NELLIE D. FROM YORK...

My name is Nellie. I am presently 53 and a 5 year breast cancer survivor. I was diagnosed in June of 2002 with malignant tumors in both breasts. I underwent the surgery to have the tumors removed as well as the lymph nodes under my arms.

Following the surgery, I successfully completed all my chemo treatments and continued to receive good reports from my doctors. Unfortunately, however, a year and a half after my surgery, I still had a lot of tenderness at the surgery sites as well as a large build up of scar tissue. The scars were still red and created deep pockets in my breast tissue.

About 3 years ago, I was referred to Restored Balance. I began seeing Kevin Bruck as my massage therapist. Kevin worked on the scars on my breasts with special massage strokes to help reduce the tissue build up beneath the skin. He was also successful in bringing back the natural color and texture of my skin. Before the therapy started, my breast were very sensitive to touch and at times painful. Now, that isn't the case anymore. Even the deep pockets are pretty well gone and the nature shape and contour has returned.

Kevin has been very professional in dealing with the handling of my breasts and the scars. At no point was I embarrassed or uncomfortable around Kevin. He treated me in a very dignified manner and it was obvious that his touch was purely medical.

Even though the breast work is now complete, I continue to visit Restored Balance and enjoy all the other wonderful services that Kevin and his staff has to offer.

I would highly recommend Restored Balance to anyone. They're excellent!

KIM A. FROM YORK...

Hi, my name is Kim and I'm a breast cancer survivor. In January of 2004 I was diagnosed with DCIS (Ductal Carcinoma In Situ) which in plain English means cancer that is localized in the milk duct of the breast and has not spread beyond the place of origin. Eighteen months before that I had found a lump in my breast two months after I had a screening mammogram. My doctor immediately sent me for a follow-up mammogram and nothing showed. The radiologist who read the mammogram suggested that for a year I follow-up every six months with a mammogram which I did. In between the second and third mammogram the lump vanished but I noticed a small spot, no bigger than half the size of a pea in my bra and I thought that perhaps I had scratched myself. When I went back for the next mammogram I informed the radiologist about it after more discharge had come out during the mammogram itself. He urged me to let the doctor know and he would document it in the report. A few days later the doctor's office called and scheduled me to see a surgeon the next day and the rest is as they say history.

No one can imagine the devastation a woman feels when she learns that she has cancer in her breast. The first image she sees in her mind's eye is one where she is standing in front of a mirror with a scar on her chest where her breast once was. That was my image when I was told. I had a partial mastectomy and thirty three radiation treatments. I was lucky the lymph nodes weren't involved and the 2 cm lesion had not spread. After a total of five surgeries, two to remove the cancer and attain good margins and three to reconstruct, I ended up with an infection that created mounds of scar tissue right at the nipple. After the last surgery, my breast began to sink and I began to question the doctor's judgment with the amount of saline he put in the implant that was now in the bottom of my breast to replace what they had taken out, should there have been more?? By six months after the last surgery the front of my breast had flattened out and my nipple had become severely inverted. I was told if it remained this way I would be prone to infections and irritations which would create more scar tissue and pain. I went for a second opinion and was told I would have to live with it, that was the way it was which was exactly the same as what my plastic surgeon was telling me. My oncology surgeon and I were not satisfied we knew this situation needed to be rectified or I could have more of a risk of the possibility of a recurrence of the cancer at some point. We searched and searched and at one point I even was wearing, for about nine months to a year, a nursing shield which did help somewhat but was still not the answer. Not only was my breast an issue, but this past year I started having bouts of hiccups, acid reflux and the abdominal muscles were spasming. Something had to be done.

This past spring my husband found an article in the paper about Restored Balance and brought it home. I read it and emailed Kevin Bruck about my situation and asked if perhaps he might be able to help. He emailed me back saying he thought he could and in June I had my first appointment. During the first visit Kevin put me at ease by providing the information that I needed to understand what he could do and how he would do it. He went over all the reasons for the problems I was having and demonstrated with models, etc. that he had in the office so that I would understand what was happening in my body. With his help I understood that my body was producing scar tissue at a good pace which was creating a lot of the problems.  He told me what to expect, what I would feel and what his game plan was. Kevin has been wonderful, he's professional and appropriate with all of the treatments. He even asks permission to do certain aspects of the treatments which has created a mutual trust. He has used medical massage, suction cups and gentle stretching during my treatment up to this point. I am still being treated but as of this writing, my breast has a shape again, I am slowly but surely losing the flattening in the front and the nipple is starting to come out and look natural. Even my husband has noticed that I have more confidence now. I still have occasional bout with hiccups, reflux and muscle spasms but they are far less than they were. Thank God I am cancer free for almost four years but I also thank God for Kevin Bruck. If you're out there and you are in the same situation I was, you don't have to take no for answer and you don't have to take your doctor's word that nothing else can be done. Get a second opinion and visit Kevin. With his hands and God's grace a better you is just around the corner.

KIM T. FROM YORK...

Restored Balance has truly been an answer to my prayers. For several years, I suffered with shoulder pain that physically prevented me from doing many of the things that were a normal part of my day-to-day life. I tried everything, including massage therapy from several providers, but never found any relief. I had just about given up hope, but thankfully I found Restored Balance! Not only did they provide me with some pain relief, they have done more than I ever could have hoped for... During my first session, they were able to alleviate all of the pain in my shoulder!! With regular treatment sessions, I am able to be free of pain every single day, without any medication. I would highly recommend them to anyone - whether you are dealing with pain issues or are simply in need of relaxation from dealing with the business of life. Without their expertise, I don't know where I would be.

TRACEY ROBERTS - Author, Therapist, and Office Manager for Restored Balance...

(Tracey developed "Myostretching" and the "Free-to-Move" Program due to her battle with Fibromyalgia and Chronic Myofascial Pain Syndrome. This is her story.)

"I tried various forms of exercise such as aerobics, pilates, yoga, stretching, and walking. Each exercise increased the intensity and duration of flare-ups. For me, a flare-up consists of intense pain and the inability to move my body. It was a rag doll effect. My daughters would help move my body for me, due to the pain. Sometimes it lasted a few hours and sometimes it lasted a few weeks. I was desperate to find a way to control the flare-ups and the pain that existed. At my worst, I could not walk to the bathroom due to the lack of strength. The bathroom was only 10 feet from my bed. The thought of living the rest of my life like this was unbearable. My daughters were young and they needed me to take care of them, not the other way around. I prayed continually for strength and knowledge as to how to improve my condition. My doctors, at the time, told me there wasn't anything they could do for me. They gave me plenty of medications to help with the symptoms, but no answers. Nobody could tell me what was causing all these problems. Most of the doctors sent me to psychologists to help regulate my depression and other difficulties.

Some of the recurring symptoms were low back pain due to two bulging discs, allergies, headaches, migraines, acid reflux, inability to sleep, night sweats, morning stiffness, pain when walking, fatigue, hypoglycemia, finger nail curvatures, pelvic pain, weak grip, difficulty speaking, short term memory loss, weight gain, sensitivity to odors, over-sensitivity to noise, blurry vision, irritable bowel and bladder, easily confused, overall muscle cramps and weakness, poor handwriting, restless leg syndrome, and over-sensitivity to touch. There are more, but I think you get the idea. I thought I was dying or at least should be.

After two years of tests and doctors telling me it was in my head, one of the doctors suggested looking into Chronic Myofascial Pain Syndrome and Fibromyalgia. The rest is history. With that suggestion, I bought every book written on the disorders, and looked up every article I could find on the internet. we found the diagnosis! I cannot describe the relief that was felt when we could put a name to the conditions. I was so grateful to the people who paved the way for me. But, the more I read, the more discouraged I became. There were many questions but still not enough answers, and no cure. I was relieved to find an explanation for my condition, but discouraged at the projected lifestyle.

As I read the books and articles, there seemed to be an agreement that the more you moved the better you could feel. But nobody really recommended a particular exercise program or a way to get started. This puzzled me, but pushed me to find my own answers for my own body.

I decided to set small goals for myself each day. The first set of goals was to walk for certain distances throughout the day. I started by walking to the bathroom and back without help. After accomplishing that goal without a flare-up, I increased the distance and frequency of my ventures. Soon, I was able to get from my room to the kitchen, eat dinner with the family, and back to my room. Next, the goal was to drive, go shopping, and get home. It took some time to accomplish this on my own, but I perservered. The more I moved, with or without pain, the stronger my body became.

A second set of goals was to improve my mental attitude. Frequent thoughts of how limited my life was going to be increased the depression and decreased the desire to improve. This had to change, for myself and my family. I started to apply the "attitude of gratitude" philosophy. Each morning and evening I would say a prayer and list everything I was grateful to have. For example, I was thankful for being able to see, hear, think, speak, and touch. I was thankful for my daughters, that I had a place to live, and that all I had was Fibromyalgia and CMPS. By replacing the negative thoughts with positive, my outlook on life began to improve. I believe this helped tremendously with overcoming the pain.

One of the difficulties with FMS and CMPS is that you never really know when you will have a flare-up. One day you're feeling good, the next day you are flat on your back. This was very discouraging for me. I had a desire to be able to have more control of my body and my life. I wanted to be free to move.

During one of my severe flare-ups, I contemplated the difficulty of my situation. I felt good when I was up moving around, but the more I moved the easier I would get a flare-up. Lying in bed made me feel worse and more stiff. Movement seemed the key to overcoming the problem. But, there did not seem to be a balance between the two extremes. The following day, still feeling weak and tired, I decided to start moving. At first I moved just my arms to see what would happen. There was no increase in pain or weakness. The following day I moved my arms along with one leg at a time, due to my low back problems - still no increase in pain or weakness. I continued this process for several weeks. After I was able to move more freely without causing a flare-up, I started to increase how many times I was moving the body parts. Soon I moved the 'exercise' program from the bed to the floor. I increased the repititions, slowed down the movements, added a few new stretches and "Myostretching" was born. Slowly I began to see improvements in my flexibility. Then with increased endurance, came added strength. My fatigue seemed to be lessened, and so was the pain. With less pain, I was able to increase the repititions and continue reversing the pain cycle.

Through it all, I had a few weeks of discomfort, and occassionally believed I was making myself worse. But soon, I was waking up in the morning without severe stiffness or pain in my body. Then as each week passed, other symptoms began disappearing.

Today, I am medication free, wheelchair free, and 99% pain free! I still have flare-ups, but they have decreased in frequency and duration. I am able to participate in almost any exercise program. I even take group cycling classes and still can walk the next day! I work 12 hours a day, either at work or home, and have become free-to-move."

For more information on Tracey's Myostretching and Free-to-Move Program and Seminars, please visit our "Services" page.