Testimonials
“I came to ALIB with chronic knee pain and hoping to avoid surgery if at all possible. My initial goal was to get back to running, without pain. Having been through traditional PT, I expected to work on my knee until it got better and then move on. What I learned at ALIB was that the body is a complex intertwined system where everything works (or doesn’t) in balance with everything else. I learned how long-term issues and old injuries had affected how I move and walk and breathe. Paula helped me understand the connections and where the issues were coming from. Adam, Lauren, and Meghan taught me exercises to strengthen weak areas and ways of moving to address those issues. We worked on not only my knee but also my shoulder, back, hip, feet, and a whole bunch of body parts I never knew the name of before. I feel really good now and I’m working my way back to running and feeling better with each run. I’m so grateful that this place exists and that I found it. I have so much gratitude for everyone there and how they helped me get stronger and healthier.”
— Beth Deene
“Carmen Jr. is a 16-year-old student who has presented with an eye tic since the fourth grade. A neurological exam revealed normal neurological function and no seizure activity. It seemingly was just a benign tic that he would just have to deal with. About four months before approaching his 16th birthday when he would be eligible to get his driver’s permit, Carmen approached me and said "hey mom I’m not gonna be able to drive if these I tic don’t go away. Do you think Paula can fix them?” Paula has worked with multiple members of our family, including our 11-year-old competitive gymnast, Alexa. Dr. Paula has worked with Alexa to help keep her muscles balanced and strong so that she can perform her best and keep injury-free. It is a joke in our household that Paula does magic. There are times we have gone to Paula for what seemed to be potentially significant injuries, but Paula seems to be able to correct the muscle patterns rather quickly and get Alexa back on track with her gymnastics. Paula uses a method called NKT. It is a method by which she looks at the whole body and identifies what the origin of the injury is. Often the injury is not really the origin of the problem. So while you may have knee pain, that doesn’t mean the knee is the problem. However, in three short months, Carmen’s eye tics have gone from once every few seconds to maybe one or two a day. Carmen is driving without issue. He is more confident and we so grateful for Paula’s expertise and kind, compassionate, and caring ways to help our son!”
— Sarah Stangota
I have had recurring injuries in the same area of my back for as long as I can remember. The rehab prescription from assorted medical professionals had become very predictable; painkillers and rest, followed by exercise and stretching, often with a physical therapist. The difference that I found with Dr. Paula’s approach is her focus and attention on the root cause of my issues, as opposed to the effects. In other words, why does this keep happening to me, and what do I need to do in order to prevent it from happening again? After an evaluation, a half dozen sessions, and a little diligence with home exercises, not only am I back to 100% in record time, but I have the key to putting my back problems behind me (pun intended). I want to thank Dr. Paula and her excellent staff for getting me pointed in the right direction!” you tell your story online can make all the difference.
-Ed O.
“What a gem! I was referred here due to a back issue, I was pleasantly surprised to find this amazing studio. Not only did I leave with greatly diminished back pain but I also left with a wealth of knowledge about my body and I felt like I made a friend! Dr. Czapla was incredibly knowledgeable. It is a beautiful place with great energy. Considering I have been in traditional physical therapy for 5 months with no results, I am amazed that after just a 45-minute session I had relief. Thank you for such a lovely experience, highly recommend this place!”
— Claudia Mandreucci Jaeger
“I started going to Dr. Paula last summer. I am a competitive swimmer and last season I noticed that my left shoulder was bothering me during certain strokes. My mother made me an appointment and before the first session ended Dr. Paula determined that I wasn’t using my lats. Instead, I overcompensated and I was pinching a muscle in my shoulder. I was given exercises to do during the week in between sessions. In less than three weeks, there was no sign of my injury and I no longer had pain in my shoulder.”
— Abigail, age 13
“I have been a patient for almost a year now and I can’t say enough about my experience with Dr. Paula. I am currently pregnant and she is the first doctor I would ever use for my aches and pains during pregnancy. Dr. Paula is awesome and magical. She always stays up to date on the most recent physical therapy techniques. I am looking forward to trying her yoga services as well in the future.”
—Li Lanfang
“I started going to Dr. Paula for my left ankle. I play baseball, along with other sports. During a game, I got a hit (up the middle) and I started to run. My left foot hit the ground and I fell down. Shortly after, I went to see Dr. Paula and she figured out that I was hyper extending my knee. After a few sessions, I was back and playing better than before. Now I use what she taught me to prepare for every season. I also participated in a youth yoga for sports program she created which was a big help and the things I use the things I learned there a lot.”
—Josh, age 11
As a competitive figure skater and dancer, I constantly push my body to maximum performance, often resulting in injuries or pain from overuse. After debilitating unresolved hip, shoulder, and knee pain following several rounds of traditional physical therapy targeted on single issues, I learned of A Life in Balance and have never looked back. Dr. Paula and her staff treat the cause and not the symptoms through a holistic approach and evaluation process. This not only brings quicker resolution, but trains my body through proper breathing, positioning, and exercises to prevent injury from overuse moving forward. I could not walk following two separate hip and ankle issues and several traditional physical therapy sessions. After one session with Dr. Paula, I walked out without compensating or needing my boot or crutches. She and her staff are friendly, knowledgeable, and encouraging. Their flexibility and attentiveness are unmatched. The combined technique of full body assessment and treatment, targeted in office and home exercise instruction, a focus on preventative measures, and therapeutic massage therapy has allowed me to continue to do what I love and stay healthy and pain-free while doing it. I can’t say enough about a Life in Balance. They are miracle workers!
-Ally M.