Testimonials

It’s important to keep one’s body in proper alignment and to address causes of aches and pains before they become chronic. With age, it becomes even more imperative. As a woman in my 80s, with osteoarthritis and osteoporosis and several replaced joints, I am nonetheless living and functioning without pain and with good, youthful posture. One key reason for this is the body work I do at Body Reform. After frequenting Body Reform for several years, (thus avoiding surgery on several occasions) I want to share what I’ve experienced:
The Bowstring Method is an extraordinary form of bodywork unlike anything I have known. Developed by Shannon Harris, it’s a deep, structural manual therapy system that doesn’t cause the kind of pain you have to grit your teeth to endure. If I have pain somewhere, Shannon works on me to eliminate the causes before they become chronic. As far as I’m concerned, this is one of the great bodywork systems in the world and needs to spread so that many more people can benefit.

Mary Harris directs a special form of Movement Therapy that is a creative combination of Pilates, Yoga, TRX, etc. She has a unique ability to use exercise to enhance functionality in every day life– standing, walking, sitting, balancing –so that you are stronger, less accident prone and more youthful looking. Much of what we do, how we move in everyday life can actually be harmful to our bodies though we’re not often aware of this until we’re older and find ourselves unable to do what we “used to do.” If you want to learn how to move in a way that displays easy confidence and get stronger in all the right places, Mary’s Movement Therapy is a key component.
Body Reform’s philosophy is brilliant, emphasizing Prehab over Rehab and combining Bowstring Method’s Manual Therapy System together with Movement Therapy in a way that is truly transformative. Physical Therapy has never felt so good and has never been so beneficial.

Jane Fonda , Actress, Author

Although many people I know had recommended Body Reform to me I never bothered to call because: 1) I had already been to so many body workers and no one was successful curing my back problems and 2) I never go out for bodywork being of the very spoiled variety that does it all at home. I had lower back pain pretty consistently for over 25 years. Nothing I did, including surgery, brought me much relief. Then in a rather broken state, a friend literally walked me into Body Reform. I followed the program, persevering in spite of my busy schedule because I could almost immediately see the difference — their integrated technique. While Shannon’s bodywork changed the way my muscles and joints were able to move, Mary taught me how to strengthen and stabilize in a safe and effective way. I re-learned how to walk, how to carry myself and how to go about my daily life so that the things that triggered my pain wouldn’t return. After about a year I had almost permanent relief. Now I get an occasional flair up but it is resolved quickly. I love the sanctuary and peace of their studio and the work. I love Body Reform.

Lynda Resnick , Co-Owner,The Wonderful Company, POM Wonderful, Fiji Water, Teleflora

Shannon and Mary have truly changed my quality of life for the better. As a young woman with Hypermobility Spectrum Disorder and Ehlers-Danlos symptoms, I experience daily pain and discomfort from my joint instability. However, with Shannon and Mary’s holistic approach, they have alleviated my daily pain and have given me the tools and aid to get through the “bad days”. The strengthening that Mary can provide is unmatched. She understands hypermobile bodies and is able to strengthen the body while listening to her patients’ pain cycles — finding creative exercises that work for your specific conditions. This approach, coupled with Shannons manual therapy [he truly is the best manual therapist I have ever met] has changed how I feel daily. The Bowstring Method yields real results. Thank you to both Shannon and Mary for all of the effort they put into making hypermobility a focus – I can’t recommend them enough!

Callie Fisch , Interior Designer

In 2009 I had what the medical literature refers to as a ‘catastrophic’ fracture of my right tibia.  In non -medical terms that means I complete shattered my whole lower leg. Multiple surgeries later, I still walked with a limp and dealt with pain and discomfort almost every day. During that time I encountered dozens of medical professionals, massage therapists, acupuncturists, and physical therapists. Then I replaced the army above with one physical therapist in Beverly Hills. Shannon Harris and his team have changed my life to such a degree that it’s impossible to convey in words.  Sometimes when I describe the experience I feel like I’m on the verge of tearing up. When I’m in a lighter mood, I say things like “if he just shouted AMEN when his patients got off the table he could open a super church.” 

Acupuncture is the only other discipline I’ve experienced where the relief from pain happens in ‘real time.’ i.e., you go in feeling terrible and walk out a different person. The difference is that with Shannon, the changes last weeks or months, or as far as I can tell, forever, since many of the hour long sessions have resulted in permanent relief from various problems I’ve had.

I have gotten to know Shannon, his wife Mary, and Alex very well over the last eight months and they are not only world-class healers, they are world class humans. I cannot recommend them highly enough. 

David Elliot , Screenwriter

Five doctors tried–and failed–to repair me. The last orthopedist said I had the shoulder of an 80-year-old woman (I’m in my forties, and still male, the last time I checked). I couldn’t raise my hand above my waist without excruciating pain. I won’t say the process was quick or painless, but Shannon Harris achieved what everyone else said was impossible: he restored me to full health, eradicated the pain, and was a constant pleasure to deal with (not the first impulse you have when someone’s beating you into shape). He’s over-booked and a long way from inexpensive–but that’s to be expected when you want the best. This guy’s a rock star.

Mark Gill , Movie Producer

I suffered from a minor rotator cuff tear and debilitating frozen shoulder for 5 months before I came to Body Reform. I had seen other physical therapists, had a cortisone injection and tried acupuncture — but none of those things made a dent in my condition and a shoulder specialist insisted I get surgery. As a last ditch effort before surgery, I tried Body Reform. Within two sessions with Alex, I had regained a chunk of mobility and my pain had diminished significantly. Alex spent a lot of time diagnosing where my issues were coming from by using (sometimes painful, but incredibly helpful) manual therapy techniques — he pinpointed much of my pain was actually coming from my neck and nerve pressure there — and subsequently worked on the area and realigned things. Much of the work involved calming the knots and muscle spasms that had accumulated in my neck, arm and shoulder, so the inflammation could ease and things could finally loosen up and heal. He also prescribed ice and very simple exercises I could do at home. Within 6 sessions of the Bowstring Method Manual Therapy and manipulations with Alex and Shannon, I had regained 80% of my mobility and had almost no pain. Now that the inflammation and pain have significantly decreased, we are digging into the scar tissue deep within my shoulder and working on regaining that last bit of mobility. Body Reform truly helped me turn the corner and I am well on my way to a full recovery! It feels like a minor miracle to be able to sleep and move without pain — and I definitely won’t need surgery. Thank you!

Yana Gorskaya , Film Editor

I go to Body Reform for manual therapy sessions with Derrick. His awareness and sensitivity to my injuries combined with his facilitation of the bowstring technique is outstanding. I also spend an hour with him working on exercises custom designed for me through his vast knowledge of physical mobility and musculature. I have to say that I couldn’t be happier with the high level of progress I’m now continually making, but should probably expect it since I’ve been a client of Body Reform from when they first opened. I now travel down from Santa Barbra because I am certain that I will achieve the best results.

Evan Eder , Performing Artist

As a former professional ballet dancer, I have experienced every form of myofascial intervention available. Most of them did not direct enough force through tissue to be effective, and others caused much pain with little to no impact. Nothing has come close to the immediate and lasting results of The Bowstring Method.  I’m currently a physical therapist who trained in this method with Shannon Harris. It changed my career.  I now get quicker, longer-lasting results for my patients, and without harming my hands.

James Frederickson , Doctor of Physical Therapy, former Ballet Dancer

Shannon, Mary, and Team are super stars. I refer to Shannon as the “Miracle Worker.” Shannon fixed my IT band that plagued me for years. When I started with Shannon a year ago, I could not run more than 13 miles. Since he fixed me in a few sessions, I have run 3 marathons and qualified for Boston. I am now training for Ironman. I can’t give a higher recommendation. He also fixed my wife’s shoulder issues and my friend’s neck. You want it fixed? Go to the Miracle Worker.

Sean Whiteley , Marathon Runner, Tech Executive

I was having an amazing time on my 40th BD in the South of France. One morning after a lazy breakfast on the terrace, I went for a long bike ride. I was in good shape but on the trip back to the hotel I suddenly felt a problem with my back. Later that night I was in agonizing pain and for the next week I could barely sit at dinner and I walked with a limp, dragging my right leg behind me.

In great pain I flew back to California to see my doctor. The MRI showed a 12mm disc herniation – the largest he had ever seen in his career. He sent me to an orthopedic surgeon who agreed I needed immediate surgery. Instead of going under the knife, though, I went into physical therapy. With the Body Reform team approach, guided by Shannon and Mary, I made immediate progress. As the time went by I became stronger and knew that I was going to get better. Initially, I thought I might not ever run or play sports again with my kids but Body Reform brought me back from a physical disaster. Today I am running, hiking, playing and riding a bike again.

Here I come, Tuscany.

Scott Mattingly , Lawyer

The Body Reform team and The Bowstring Method have, without a doubt, transformed my life. Manual physical therapy and weekly sessions to improve my fitness have left me completely pain-free from a chronic hip injury, and I am feeling stronger and more connected to my body than ever before. Their truly gifted team even corrected body issues I didn’t know were contributing to my discomfort, including hypermobility. They taught me the correct ways to stand, walk, sit, and move throughout the day. When I left Los Angeles, their team made every accommodation to continue working with me virtually. Not only is every individual at Body Reform outstandingly talented, but they are also all truly kind, generous, and thoughtful people that make the experience of working with them one I cherish every week. Their approach to rehabilitative exercise is the only method I’ve found that both strengthens and protects my body. I don’t know where I would be without the Body Reform team and plan to be a lifelong client of theirs.

Melissa Victor , Masters Degree in Public Health

Body Reform is absolutely incredible! I came to Body Reform over a year ago having spent the past 6 years playing whac-a-mole with various injuries and body issues that prevented me from all forms of physical activity. I was in constant care with several physical therapists (and some other modalities) but none of them could get my body out of constant pain, nor could they get it to achieve and sustain the physical activities I enjoyed prior to all the chronic physical health issues. Body Reform changed everything! Shannon and his team of manual therapists are extremely skilled at identifying the roots of physical limitations/sources of pain and restoring proper functioning in those areas. Multiple body parts that I thought were permanently damaged are now functioning properly because of the efficacy of his unique manual therapy method. Mary does a phenomenal job of tailoring specific movement exercises to complement the manual work. I have worked with her remotely for months while I was out of Los Angeles, and I have worked with her for many months in person as well. She is truly a wizard in terms of creating fitness programs to get your body moving as it is supposed to. What differentiates Body Reform therapeutically is the team’s deep understanding of the body as a system, as opposed to merely treating specific issues as isolated phenomena. And, most importantly, everyone that works there is very kind and caring, creating an environment that is extremely conducive to healing. Movement patterns and athletic activities that I thought were impossible to return to prior to Body Reform are now a consistent part of my life again. And it is all because I decided to come here for care. If you are in pain and struggling to move as you would like to, this is unequivocally the right place to come to!

Michael Wynter , Doctoral Candidate

I’ve been a regular at Body Reform for over 15 years and have staved off knee surgery with their help. Shannon’s bodywork is like no other. When you get off his table you feel like air was pumped into every joint. You float out of his office feeling as if you have a whole new body. Where Shannon gets the muscles and joints moving again, Mary retrains movement patterns by strengthening and stabilizing the areas that are weak so that the entire body moves better as a unit. She has an extraordinary sense of the body and is incredibly well-trained. She doesn’t do the “one-size fits all” workouts I’ve had with other trainers. Nate Edwards, DPT, is also a part of my team. He’s been fully trained in The Bowstring Method of manual therapy and is very effective and caring.  I always feel better when I leave his room. Derrick Robinson is my jack-of-all-trades. He does bodywork and he’s a certified personal trainer, so he can utilize both skills, or only one, in his sessions. All of the therapists in the office and the “show-runner” Grace, are in constant communication with each other when something is going on with a shared patient. They each support and nurture the health of the patient in their own way. With seeming ease they manage to combine knowledge, fun, compassion, and healing in a warm and relaxed environment. I’m a Body Reform lifer.

Hanna , Model

A few years ago doctors fused three discs in my back.  Shortly after my surgery, and after physical therapy ended, I began having shooting pains and numbness in my arms and legs.  My surgeon didn’t offer anything other than painkillers, which I didn’t want to take anymore, and physical therapy, which didn’t help that much.  A good friend of mine referred me to Shannon Harris.  The first time I went to see him, he completely understood what was going wrong with me and told me he’d be able to fix the problem, although it would be a challenge. To be honest, I didn’t think he could. Well, after the first few sessions I was already walking upright (no longer crooked) and the shooting pains and numbness had ended.  By the eighth session, I was hiking up to 10 miles and I felt like a new man!  Shannon really understands the body and knows how to fix the problems that others can’t.  I returned to Body Reform more recently after being diagnosed with a herniated disc (nothing to do with the previous surgery). Again, my doctor recommended surgery — but this time I went back to see Shannon.  He has continued to work his magic on my body and I’ve been able to avoid further surgery.  Shannon’s Bowstring Method of manual therapy is truly amazing and I can’t thank him enough for his continued work on my body.

Steve Collins , Finance Manager