It was not a surprise when it happened: after training for a few weeks, plus having just taken up kayaking for the first time, and staying busier than ever during these wonderful summer months, my body had built up immense pressure. Suddenly, I was down for the count…feeling sore, exhausted.

All at once I felt a tremendous weight just sitting on top of my shoulders. One of my new clients recommended I visit Injae Choe, PhD LMT. I have tried different modalities of acupressure combined with massage in the past, but the setting and style that Injae has created is minimal, and calming. A firm mattress with a few strategically located pillows on the floor is all that’s needed. No decor, pictures, distractions, just a focused and exceptional treatment.

After a few sessions with Injae my shoulder stress faded away. I felt as though a great force were chomping away at the heavy block on my body. Time and space ceased to exist during these theraputic tune-ups. I was able to feel energized again, the effect after each session lasted for several days.

Injae Choe, who is a NYC-based licensed massage therapist specializing in the eastern holistic style of acupressure called Sugi (“hand energy”), is an excellent choice for anyone seeking a “fix-it” treatment or are interested in designing a tailored treatment plan…www.sugiacupressure.com

– Review by Ana Nieto, founder of Turtle Shell Health

In an article with GLOW SPRING ‘10 The Magazine About Beauty, Health and Wellness, Dr. Mantione eloquently explains his theory about dealing with pain. Below is an excerpt from that article.

“Imbalance is pain or injury waiting to happen. My focus on prevention means that I don’t just backtrack with clients once they have sustained an injury. Instead, I encourage regular tune-ups to re-calibrate. I spend an hour with each patient performing a head to toe evaluation, during which time I check flexibility and re-balance the body where needed: bones, spine, muscles. I can always find some type of imbalance in the body. Whether or not you realize it, your body needs a regular check-up. The culprit can be posture, weak muscles or a leg that is shorter than its pair – which I can fix nine out of ten times, unless this is a condition the patient has from birth. Imbalance must be addressed earlier rather than later, which is why I advise my patients to come and see me for a professional evaluation…”

The article continues by explaining Dr. Mantione’s three specific areas of treatment within the realm of physical therapy:

1. Total Body Tune-Up – A one hour comprehensive evaluation and treatment to re-align the entire body and correct any spine, muscle and energy imbalances.

2. Injury Prevention – As an Injury Prevention Specialist and Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist, I developed the Sports Injury Prevention Screen for all ages and athletic specialties.

3. Injuries – Prevent, prevent, prevent. I use a “hands-on approach,” treating one patient per hour, which is unique for any medical practitioner.

Below are some testimonials from Dr. Mantione’s patients:

“I am an Olympic weight lifter. In constant pain, I met Jack after two shoulder surgeries, back surgery and months of unsuccessful physical therapy. I lost complete function of my shoulder. Also my lower back pain and pelvic instability prevented me from standing erect. Orthopedic doctors said my only option was a shoulder replacement, pain management and a wheelchair for my back pain. Telling an athlete that his ability to lift weights was over and that he is unable to weight train on any level is depressing. I expected Jack to say there’s no hope, instead, he said we could work around the existing injuries and bring me back to be able to function and lift weights again. I am actively training again and regained full function of my right shoulder and lower back. Meeting Jack was one of the luckiest days of my life. Many people know the textbook approach of physical therapy and fitness training, but very few understand the art and are able to take it to the next level. For someone to practice something on the level of an art, they must know their subject completely. This allows them to be free and intuitive about what they are doing. Therefore, they can practice as an art. In my humble opinion, that is where Jack Mantione is today.” — Joseph V Perez; Roberto Clemente Athlete Of TheYear, Two Time United States Para-Olympic Athlete

“I first stumbled into Dr. Mantione’s office with a knee injury that had me sidelined from the gym. Within a few months I was back to cycling and running with ease, and my body looked better than ever! Now in our session he works on my back pain and migraines. As long as I get there once a week I am almost completely pain free.” — Liz M., NYC

Dr. Mantione is a TSH member practitioner offering our members Dr. Mantione offers TSH members a 10% discount off the 1st session which includes a head to toe evaluation and treatment.

– Review by Ana Nieto, founder of Turtle Shell Health

Maren Perry: Personal and Business Coach

Maren Perry offers TSH members an exclusive complementary session – and a month of coaching free when they purchase her Premier Results Package for 6 months! Maren Perry is Personal and Business Coach who partners with individuals and organizations to create unprecedented results. She works with people to achieve their goals and get results faster and easier than they would on their own.

Sign-Up To Become a Member

Ann Marie Hennessy offers TSH members 4 in-home reflexology sessions for $500 (a $100 savings). Anne was born and raised in Tipperary Ireland, and at the age of 18, moved to Dublin. After 3 years, she was ready to start on the path of learning holistic medicine. She enrolled in a reflexology class in 1997, and then started schooling in a combined holistic studies class in 1998 where she learned many aspects of massage therapy, physical training, and aromatherapy.

Sign-Up To Become a Member

“Do you exercise alone or do you work with a trainer?” I get this question fairly often from my clients. I guess they want to know if I also endure the same physical strain that I impose on them. The answer is always the same: I prefer working with someone, because very few people can push themselves to the same level of intensity while alone than working with a trainer. Plus, it gives me the added comfort to know that there’s someone by my side spotting me and checking on the smaller details of my form.

I recently began working with Anne Marie and it has been a very enjoyable training routine. During each workout, Anne pays close attention to my body’s needs, discomforts and weaknesses. Questioning what is working or not and making slight adjustments is important and Anne does this very well. As a training partner, we try to push each other as hard as we can without crossing over the line of our personal limits.

I can say from first hand experience that Anne Marie offers not only a great technique, but a patience and understanding of the body that is remarkable. Her well rounded expertise also includes massage and reflexology studies, which she uses on many clients in order to better understand their tensions or problematic areas that need strengthening.

Personally, I believe trainers have a great advantage when they can perceive the body beyond a machine type of system made up of parts, but also as an integrated organ that can be stretched, relaxed and opened up. Last week, when I was explaining to Anne a discomfort in my shoulder after a short workout, she massaged the area and after 15 minutes I felt better. The pain was completely gone the following day!

Anne Marie offers TSH members four in-home reflexology sessions for only $500. Members save $100!

– Review by Ana Nieto, founder of Turtle Shell Health

There should be a new doctor’s prescription for people that have to lift heavy objects for a living: a Yoga massage. The perfect remedy to release the tight muscles of the lower back, hamstrings, hip and groin area.

And the best part is that it could be done in the convenience of your home.

Alana Jackler combines this ancient technique that is not only helpful to relieve muscle tension and stress, but will also help you improve flexibility and circulation, plus increase your breathing capacity. All these factors play an important part as immune boosters.

Next time you are thinking “stretching” think massage – yoga style. It will leave you with a sense of calmness. Yogakneads offers TSH members a 2-for-the-price-of-1 for your initial session.

– Review by Ana Nieto, founder of Turtle Shell Health

I have had the pleasure of knowing  Dr. Bonnie Liakos – DC, DIBAN, Holistic Chiropractor, Applied Kinesiologist – for quite some time now. What impressed me the most is her unconditional commitment to getting her patients well regardless of the difficulty in their health situation. What sets her apart from other Holistic doctors is her approach to figuring out the cause(s) a persons sickness and to then go back and correct the imbalances in a non-invasive way.

Some of you may not fully understand what Applied Kinesiology is, or simply assume it is just muscle testing. In actuality it is much more complicated. Dr. Bonnie Liakos has been in practice for over 26 years and it has taken her several years to become proficient in the art of muscle testing. The use of the muscle test is a tool utilized to figure out where the imbalances are in your body structurally, biochemically and in the brain itself. After figuring out these imbalances, Bonnie uses various techniques and protocols to go back and correct them. Some of the protocols used are Injury Recall Tech., Nutrition, Detoxification Protocols,  AK Biofeedback, Acupressure, Cranial Respiratory Tech., Neuro Emotional Tech., Homeopathy, Exercise Rehabilitation, and more.

In 2004 she was nominated by her peers as one of the “Top Chiropractors in America” for having assisted people with all types of health problems including fibryomyalgia, chronic fatigue, PMS, Pre and Post menopausal symptoms, digestive problems like GURD and irritable bowel, migraines, TMJ, chronic low back and neck pain, among others.

Dr. Bonnie Liakos is aware of the foods and drugs the government has approved for our consumption, which have been known to cause harm. She told me that she took her family and patients off trans fats (hydrogenated oils) 20 years ago, and it took just about that long for the government to finally realize that this product caused harmful side effects.

She is an extremely talented healer who brings her experience, intuition and a burning desire to help people simply get well. I’m happy she has become one of our practitioners at Turtle Shell Health.

Dr. Liakos is offering TSH members a  10% discount  on all visits, including the initial consultation. Now you know you have someone who can help turn your health and life around and give you the answers you having been seeking.

– Review by Ana Nieto, founder of Turtle Shell Health

Some professionals view their competition as strategic partners under the right circumstances. That’s how I’ve viewed my professional relationship with Joshua during the last year. Even though we are both trainers and looking for a similar type of client, we have been able to work together on different projects and to help each other in search for new business opportunities.

During the time that I’ve come to understand Joshua’s fitness philosophy, I’ve had the pleasure to refer him to some of my clients whom have expressed nothing but satisfaction and gratitude for having discovered his method of training.

Joshua is a fitness consultant with a Bachelors Degree in Sports Psychology. He holds certifications from A.C.E., N.A.S.M, and is also prenatal and postpartum certified. Joshua has been working within the health and fitness arena for over 10 years designing personalized fitness programs which incorporate motivational techniques to enhance performance. Joshua is also the fitness model in “THE DUKE DIET”: world renowned health and fitness book. His fitness philosophy: “Your self image and habits go hand in hand; change one and you will automatically change the other.”

His company, Mind Over Matter, invites you to work with New York City’s finest fitness professionals. They design fitness plans that meet your individual goals and inspire you through motivation and guidance. By understanding the mindset and obstacles that New Yorkers face daily, his team is prepared to adjust to your schedule and environment.

Turtle Shell Health is proud to have Joshua joining our membership program.

– Review by Ana Nieto, founder of Turtle Shell Health

I’m always amazed by the resilience of a pregnant woman, especially one that already has two children, continues to run their own business, and somehow manages to help women fight Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) and Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS); and still finds more time and energy to write and produce an e-book too!

Randi Cestaro is that kind of woman, and is the founder of Happy Healing, a private Nutrition Counseling practice in NY and nationwide with expertise in helping women who suffer from PCOS and IBS. Randi has over 5 years experience with helping women get there PCOS and IBS in remission in 6 to 12 Nutrition Sessions. She is board certified and received her training at the Institute for Integrative Nutrition.

You can count on Randi to be very well organized when it comes to finalizing a task or project. Having met her 4 years ago has been a blessing, because we’ve been able to collaborate on different projects like the detox program for our “Quantum Package” at Transform Fitness which has resulted in a big success with many of our clients.

Today, I am proud to say that she is the new manager of the practitioners department for Turtle Shell Health!

I highly recommend to any women out there suffering from IBS to pick up her new e-book, “I Healed Myself From IBS and You Can Too!” or her MP3 download, “Top 5 Ways to Learn How to Eat Healthy for PCOS“.

We look forward to working with Randi for a long time, not only as an expert in the field of nutrition, but as an integral team member at Turtle Shell Health. If you’re a practitioner and have questions about our membership program, please contact her at randi@turtleshellhealth.com.

– Review by Ana Nieto, founder of Turtle Shell Health

After listening to Danyelle Demchock’s presentation for the first time about one year ago, I was thinking to myself, this is genius, this is exactly how I feel about my approach to health and fitness. She happened to be one of the guest speakers at our health fair and was expressing the importance of a balanced approach to fitness which begins with awareness of your inner self and by definition, with your ultimate purpose.

Hence, she is the founder of Inner Clarity Wellness, Inc., to provide a range of holistic healthy lifestyle services. Everything is connected; Danyelle’s approach addresses the importance of relating to a person as a whole and then walking them step-by-step to helping them achieve their fitness, nutrition and spiritual goals.

Danyelle’s passion for dancing has lead her to run a series of dancing classes, (currently only available for women), as a fun way to get you moving and active.

Recently, she has taken her passion for natural and organic food out to the streets by creating a truly entertaining and educational tour through the Union Sq. Farmer’s Market. The tour offers market newbies and long time fans a chance to meet the farmers, ask them questions, sample some terrific treats, and learn the organic truth about the food you eat.

– Review by Ana Nieto, founder of Turtle Shell Health