Testimonials: Medical Meditation Program

"For several years, I have been experiencing chronic pain. This class has given me a chance to learn new techniques to cope with the pain in a safe environment. I have learned a lot from both Jonathan and Dr. Gary about managing my pain. Even though I may never be completely 'pain free' I am starting to change my relationship to the pain. I am not trying to fight it as much as I have in the past, but I am trying to make friends with it."

-MKA

"I would highly recommend the program to anyone who would like to learn about the practice of meditation. Jonathon was outstanding. I feel very fortunate to have had the opportunity to participate and hope to continue my practice/learning of meditation."

-ZR

"The program was medically based and hands-on. The techniques we learned were immediately available for practice and are flexible – you can use them at anytime, almost anyplace and for whatever length of time the body allows. Where else can you be assigned homework that requires you to 'just be with yourself'?"

-RCM

"This program played a significant role in helping me face the need to do additional grief work. I was happy about what emerged during the process quite unexpectedly. Jonathan’s gentle, non-judgmental demeanor helped to open me more to the experience. I finally feel that I can meditate – at least as a beginner. I appreciate Jonathon’s flexibility re: meditation methods and his unconditional acceptance of what is."

-JAH

"I would 100% highly recommend, and if were hesitant about taking the class, I would offer to go with them for encouragement!"

-JH

"Jonathan helped me understand that mediation was possible and that 'running thoughts' are normal. That gave me a gift of accepting my brain 'as is'; then, I could focus on the breath. It was wonderful to learn and actually practice meditation, to learn the variety of meditations that are available, and to learn a bit on how yoga intersects with meditation."

-EW

Testimonials: Medical Services

"One day I felt the most intense spasm in my tailbone to the point I felt like I was going to pass out. The next day all of the muscles in my abdomen and low back felt like they were in spasm. I also noticed that my digestive system was not moving. It progressively got worse -- to the point where it felt like my entire digestive system had paralyzed or gone flaccid. I was in intense pain--not to mention fear. It was hard to go to work, hard to sleep, simply hard to function. My body was under so much stress that I lost 30 pounds and my hair started falling out. I went to gastroenterologists, who couldn’t find much and didn’t know what to tell me.

"In desperation, I called the Kaplan Center. They immediately said that it sounded as if I had such a bad herniation (along with other spinal issues) and that the nerves that controlled my digestive system had been compromised. Fast forward several months of acupuncture, physical therapy, and a few injections, and my life started to change.

"I started to feel improvement after one month, but the real improvements started after a few months. After 6 months I was able to travel to Florida on a mini-vacation, still watching what I ate and taking it easy. After one year I was able to go back to kayaking, hiking. During this time frame, I also saw Jeanne, physical therapist.

"I was told, “She’s one of the best in the country” and I believe it. She has extensive knowledge with complex cases, which isn’t always easy to find in the world of physical therapy. She always brings hope to her patients that they will get better, and she is very compassionate. Jeanne was a big part of my recovery. ALL of the staff at the Kaplan Center are skilled and very caring, which is so important when ,as a patient, you are coming in with pain, fear and sometimes hopelessness.

"I have referred family and friends to the Kaplan Clinic and they have been very happy with their results."

-Marissa Frumento

I came to the Kaplan Center in January, 2007, with chronic pelvic pain. The direct cause was a tailbone that had been twisted drastically out of position by a fall that occurred at least 40 years earlier. The muscles surrounding my tailbone had become chronically tense and tight. This condition had never been properly diagnosed until I went to the Kaplan Center.

"I originally saw Dr. Lisa Lillienfield, who correctly diagnosed the problem and came up with a regimen to alleviate the pain. I began seeing Jeanne Scheele, a physical therapist with Kaplan. Jeanne worked with my back and pelvic muscles to loosen the tightness. This involved some internal muscle manipulation, which was uncomfortable, however, we did what was necessary, and, over a 3 year period, she was able to greatly alleviate my pelvic pain.

"While I am not completely pain free now, I have my life back. I can go to restaurants whenever I want, and this past weekend I even went to a couple baseball games in Philadelphia. This is something I could never have done in past few years. In fact, talking to my brother, we realized this was my first trip to the ballpark in 15 years. This was just one of my medical issues when I began going to Kaplan. I had also developed a general depression anxiety, perhaps brought on in part by my cramped lifestyle due to pelvic pain. Dr. Lisa treated me for that as well.

"I am happy to say that I am now engaged to be married to the most wonderful woman I can imagine, and such a thing could not have happened without the help and support of everyone at Kaplan. Thank you so much to everyone at Kaplan. You are indeed a Godsend!"

-Doug Moore