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Elaine's Pain Management Blog
       

Thursday, July 10, 2008

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between the Elaine Petrone Method DVD and the Miracle Ball Method book?

The DVD is one class. Since The Elaine Petrone Method is not an exercise program, the pace is very different. We are not mindlessly repeating or imitating movement. As a result you will get more benefit by using one or 2 ball placements in one lesson, using the Body Formula explained in all the materials, than by placing the ball under many different parts of the body.

The Miracle Book Method book has many ball placements but explains that you should choose your favorite one and get more proficient at the Body Formula in order to allow your body's own alignment system to work.

We live in a society where we feel more is better. Some have expressed that they wanted many ball placements in each DVD. That would not be helpful. It would encourage people to get a lot of quick surface reactions. It would not give your body a chance to observe, and then change. The ability to create feeling in the body is what will begin to take the stress off chronically overused areas.

Each DVD hopes to give some insight into a particular part of your body. Again, unlike exercise, you should begin to feel reactions throughout your whole body even if you are placing the ball under one area and then taking it away to observe the muscle tension relief.

The Miracle Ball Method book, the DVD's and the CD's all have information to help you understand the method which is essential to getting lasting change. Although the ball feels good, that is exactly what it is used for. By using the Body Formula, the ball can help you feel parts of your body in new ways and then through the Whole Body Moves incorporate them into moving differently.

ABOUT THE BALLS: Some commonly asked questions.

Why different size balls? Should the ball be soft or hard?

The ball is used to create a feeling. The size really doesn't matter nor does the firmness. If the ball is too firm then take some air out using the valve provided. If it feels too soft for you then make it harder.

I have learned over many years that the ball really isn't what gives you the reactions. It is in the Body formula. If the ball is too hard and hurts then by all means make it soft. It will not affect your progress. Harder is not better.

I offer different sizes because all of us are different. Sometimes a small woman may prefer a larger ball and a larger man many want a softer small ball between the shoulders. As they grow in the work they may want something different. Different parts of the body feel different with different size balls.

I made the balls soft in the Miracle Ball Method book because that is what worked best for most beginners. The valve provided can be used to adjust the ball as explained in the book but I wouldn't get overly concerned.

As far as those of you who don't like some of the colors...well that one is hard for me to comment on. We try.

I hope this helps.

Elaine



posted by Elaine Petrone at 1:30 PM  |
  Comments:
I purchased the light aqua balls to place under my left shoulder to relieve pain - I've been reading your site and you mention valves to release some of the air. None were provided with my purchase.

HELP!

Thought there might be a video online as to how you place the balls - is that available?
on posted by Blogger maraugb : August 20, 2008 9:06 PM
 
Hi. I just opened my clear box containing two aqua colored balls and a little book on the "Miracle Ball Method". There is no "valve" in the/my box. Where can I purchase a valve like the one needed to increase the firmness of my Miracle Balls?

Thanks.
P.
on posted by Anonymous Anonymous : August 29, 2008 9:37 PM
 
maraugh-Our new pocket pump, ball inflation device will be added to the Therapeutic store soon. For now try your local sports store. We currently do not have any videos online.The Elaine Petone Therapeutic store has 2 DVD's. Stop the Back Pain DVD concentrates on the lower back and Hip area. Stop the Clock DVD concentrates on relieving tension from the shoulders, neck and head. Thanks. Elaine

P.- Our new pocket pump will be available on the site soon. Please try your local sports store. Thanks! E.
on posted by Blogger Elaine Petrone : September 2, 2008 1:30 PM
 
I love the balls. One thing, I start out consciously doing the breathing but after awhile I feel really relaxed and forget about the breathing. I am just laying there and even begin to feel sleepy is this okay?
A;ocea
on posted by Blogger Alicea : April 4, 2009 9:56 PM
 
Hi Alicea

Many beginners get sleepy . They are not used to releasing the tension that may have been a chronic muscular effort for years. When the tension eases breathing can get very calm. It is the feeling of a deep rest after working very hard. Some people sleep easier at night as well. As you move on with the work it has a complete opposite effect. You are starting out with less stiffness and holding in the muscles. As a result you gain energy and stamina. You don’t find yourself dozing off unless you truly are tired from a long day of course. So don’t worry about sticking to the breathing exactly. You are learning something from this experience. GO back to it when you are ready. You are listening to your body. That is the most important thing. Each time you begin,notice what changes you feel from when you first lied down. That is the Body Dialogue. It will lead you to understand how your body is realigning.

I hope this helps

Elaine
on posted by Blogger Elaine Petrone : April 6, 2009 12:59 PM
 
When I look back in October of last year I was able to use one ball under the very end of my tail bone but now I have to use two and sometimes I lay there for a half an hour and still can't find the spot, when I lay on my back I feel like a turtle and everytime I think of doing the balls I panic and get very anxious it seems to consume my time trying to get what others are getting , I have noticed if I have one good experience I never have it again, one time I did the knee bend for back relief it felt great but for a couple of hours but because I continued to stand I could feel the muscles tenseing up again so I tried to do it again but did not get the same result instead it tensed them up more, now everytime I try to do it all I can feel are my knees I can't tell what's going on down there even if I look at my knees while Im doing the knee bend for back relief
I have not had all the great results the other people have had
on posted by Anonymous Anonymous : April 20, 2009 9:56 PM
 
When I look back in October of last year I was able to use one ball under the very end of my tail bone but now I have to use two and sometimes I lay there for a half an hour and still can't find the spot, when I lay on my back I feel like a turtle and everytime I think of doing the balls I panic and get very anxious it seems to consume my time trying to get what others are getting , I have noticed if I have one good experience I never have it again, one time I did the knee bend for back relief it felt great but for a couple of hours but because I continued to stand I could feel the muscles tenseing up again so I tried to do it again but did not get the same result instead it tensed them up more, now everytime I try to do it all I can feel are my knees I can't tell what's going on down there even if I look at my knees while Im doing the knee bend for back relief
I have not had all the great results the other people have had

Thank you for your e-mail. These are the reasons I wrote the book and spent hours and probably years refining the directions. It is very easy to have the experiences you have had. When I was on the road many people expressed difficulty and yet a sense that they had very good experiences one day and not the next. The CD’s have been helpful for some because there is a constant reminder of the method directions.

I would suggest as I say to most people,I tell this to my students in classes and even one on one, The directions are essential. It is what we say to ourselves while we are doing the method. Most beginners wait for a response and then take shots in the dark that something will work. If you re-read the Body Formula. It explains the breathing sections. Spend time with this. This will give you the sense of Weight or release of the weight of the part of your body that rests on the ball. Without the breathing sections we are truly going to get random results.

Then the next question is about the breathing. We must make the ssss sound or use an exhalation to stimulate the diaphragm. Without this the breathing stays trapped and you are likely to feel frustrated. That is your bodies way of speaking to you.

I would go back to the breathing and try 5-10 minutes following those directions. Then I would place the ball but “not” to feel relief but to notice how the weight of this part of the body rests or does”not”rest on the ball. Each answer is important to observe because then you can begin the Body Dialogue explained in the book. You start to notice responses. Don’t do the work to get results but to understand how you live in your body. The ways in which you hold your muscles and hold your breath. Then change is easy.We are usually looking for the end before we take the time to know how to get there. I have done all of these things myself so I hope I can help you.

Please keep in touch and Let me know.

Elaine
on posted by Blogger Elaine Petrone : April 21, 2009 9:19 AM
 
Hi Elaine, I have had hip flexor pain for years. Too long to count. Most of it is on the left side where most of us are "lop sided" due to using most of our right side. Also it has been suggested that the pubic synthesis needs to be realigned. I have the Miracle Ball book and two balls. Which exercises would be the best for these issues? Thank you. Bonnie
on posted by Anonymous Anonymous : May 27, 2009 12:55 PM
 
Hi,

I would use the 2 balls under the buttocks. Begin with this so you can follow the directions using the Body Formula explained in the book. It is most important to let the weight of your body give in and sense the breathing. This will begin to allow the bodies own alignment system to help you. Your body leads you by its responses as you do the work. Feel the weight. Exhale.

I hope this helps

ELaine
on posted by Blogger Elaine Petrone : June 1, 2009 11:39 AM
 
I have chronic low back pain that radiates on my left side and somewhat down my left leg. I have a bulging disc at L4/L5, and some nerve involvement at L5/S1. Doctors do not recommend surgery. I have the dvd and the book. I do find the routine relaxing and somewhat relieves my muscles spasms. My question is whether I should use 1 or two balls when doing low back routine. Thanks.
on posted by Anonymous Anonymous : August 22, 2009 2:33 PM
 
Using one or 2 balls is one of 2 things. You either must use 2 balls because you feel uncomfortable or it is too difficult to rest with one ball under the pelvis. Or you use 2 balls because it is a completely different feeling and you prefer that. I would try both. 2 balls might be very beneficial for you now because of the differences down your sides. Comparing the sides can help to understand the feeling of “holding” in the muscles, you can sense the changes as you allow the weight of your body to rest on the balls. Remember the breathing instructions and include them to improve the sense of easing up in your muscles. When you take the balls away being able to discern any differences allows your body to continue to recover.

I hope this helps.

Elaine
on posted by Blogger Elaine Petrone : August 31, 2009 9:01 AM
 
I can't lay on the floor because my tailbone area is too painful. Okay to lay on a "hard" bed?
on posted by Anonymous Anonymous : September 3, 2009 11:03 PM
 
Hi Elaine
This is the 2nd time I've used the ball under head for my chronic neck/back of head pain. Tonight, I laid on it for 30 min. Near the end, the back of my head fell asleep & it went numb. After I rolled the ball away, a cool sensation flooded back into the back of my head & feeling came back. This was all very odd feeling. Did I do something wrong? Did I have the ball in the wrong spot? Was this too long to lay on it for a beginner?
on posted by Blogger littleredlee : November 20, 2009 7:04 PM
 
Hi Elaine
This is the 2nd time I've used the ball under head for my chronic neck/back of head pain. Tonight, I laid on it for 30 min. Near the end, the back of my head fell asleep & it went numb. After I rolled the ball away, a cool sensation flooded back into the back of my head & feeling came back. This was all very odd feeling. Did I do something wrong? Did I have the ball in the wrong spot? Was this too long to lay on it for a beginner?
on posted by Blogger littleredlee : November 20, 2009 7:05 PM
 
I would certainly pay close attention to the breathing directions for Open Mouth. Let the jaw open slowly feeling the weight as you allow your breath to ease out on an HHHHHHH sound. This is in the Miracle Ball Method book and is a great one for TMJ. I would use the ball under the head or neck while doing the open mouth breathing. You need to go very easy so the muscles can begin to ease up. Your breathing should get fuller giving you the improvements you are seeking. I hope this helps
on posted by Blogger Elaine Petrone : January 11, 2010 10:58 AM
 
Hi

Yes you are on the ball too long for a beginner. Sometimes it is helpful to re-read the directions. It seems like a very simple process, just rest on the ball. But actually it is what we do when we are on the ball that is key. There is so much stiffness in most peoples neck and shoulders, that resting on the ball can easily be pushing down hard into the ball. The effort is not noticed because it is such a habit. It is important to include the Body Dialogue explained in the book. This way you can note what your responses are. That again may seem like you are not noticing too much or nothing that would alert you, but after getting used to the dialogue and understanding the Body Formula you can begin to discern when in fact you are pressing on the ball which would give you the response you had. The book suggests 1-2 minutes to begin with .That is a good start because most of your changes will happen when you begin to let go of the weight and make breathing connections. This will happen easier when you take the ball away and notice any difference resting on the floor from before. Then you will notice how great if feels to just rest and not push. I wouldn’t do anything that feels painful or uncomfortable. I would move to another part of your body to begin again to understand the method.

I hope this helps

Feel free to ask more questions.

Best

Elaine
on posted by Blogger Elaine Petrone : February 3, 2010 7:45 AM
 
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