I attended the session on Wednesday and I reckon your holistic approach to health management is great.

This systemic approach to the minor problems I had in relation to my back really demonstrates how important it is to focus on the whole body.

I found the session really beneficial. Well done.

Doug

Great stuff, thanks very much for your emails, I really appreciate the exercises and stretches which are working well. I use them often at my sedentary job and in my build up to riding the Great Vic Bike Ride this year, my second year.

Cheers, Reg

Just a small note to let you know I have been following your stretching routines that you showed us at Puckapunyal - mainly the ones for hamstring and hip and I have noticed a big difference specially in my walking and squatting exercise.

Bob

I attended the Crook back seminar yesterday afternoon and wanted to report that it was fantastic. I found the time to be very beneficial and hopefully I will be able to remember all the exercises for the future. Thank you for providing this seminar.

Maree

Just a quick note to give you some feedback and let you know that the seminar was great! Informative and practical and very suited to the pitfalls of working in a sedentary environment. I think more people would benefit from attending it, it certainly identified a few areas for me to work on and John gave us useful tips and exercises to address those issues.

Helen

I've recently attended your crook back seminar Friday fortnight ago at the Tax Office in Moonee Ponds. The exercises I learnt during the session which I'd been doing religiously since have helped enormously. In fact I got to 70-80% fit back and pain free. I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks for showing me the path to getting healthier and more importantly motivating me in achieving it.

Tekin

In response to the positive feedback received from people who attended the Relaxation and Crook Back seminars conducted during WorkSafe Week John Miller will be returning for an encore performance, with a further two sessions.

Dale

Please keep me on your list. I find your information useful and thought provoking + my back is in the best condition it's every been in.

Jenny

I just wanted to say how terrific your session was today. Excellent tips and exercises, and even better, some pain relief immediately.

Thank you. Jo

Hi John

I just wanted to let you know that since I did your Crook Back Clinic in January this year my back has improved 99%. I only have a slight problem now that I am continuing to work hard to make right but at least I have no day to day pain anymore.

I can't believe that something that has caused me so much pain in the last 3.5 years and cost me so much money was actually so simple to fix.

Thank you very much for your help.

Cheers

Karen

John

I have done the CrookBack clinic twice over the years through my workplace and every time I feel great afterwards. Invariably, I lose the sheet of exercises and am back to square one shortly afterwards, but the benefits of the clinic are amazing.

I have been CT'd and MRI'd and been told there's nothing 'wrong' enough with my back to have the discomfort I experience. Your clinics have shown me what many dollars of medical expertise couldn't, that it's all in the muscles and posture (in my case). I have often wished you were based in Townsville so I could have the benefit of your expertise more readily available.

Good luck. Your program is a great, non-invasive, method.

Melinda

Hi John

I would like to provide my support for your Crook Back Clinic as I have found that the exercises and the direction you have given me have made a huge difference to my back problem (bulging discs around L4, L5).

As you would be aware I was due to have a back operation in March 2009 and after our meeting and your guidance with the correct exercises I have now cancelled the operation.

I was on pain medication daily for about 5 months and no longer require them daily. I still take pain killers occasionally, if the need arises. Since you directed me with these exercises and to have deep tissue massage my condition is improving. This has also made me aware that the operation would have only been a mask of the problem as I was never told what caused this problem or any alternate methods of correcting it. I have no doubt that this is the better way to deal with this condition. As you said this would take at least 8 to 12 months, I still have a long way to go.

Thanks heaps

Stephen Town

I attended both sessions yesterday at 10.30am and 3pm and found John's sessions to be very informative and I especially enjoyed the session on crook backs in the morning as going through the practical exercises was certainly better than just reading them from notes, a whiteboard or just being told about them.

Overall I got something positive out of yesterday and really enjoyed John's personality and methods of conducting the sessions.

Sali ATO

Hello John,

I would like to say that the CrookBack clinics you ran at Nyrstar Hobart were very well accepted.

Participant feedback was resoundingly positive, with most people saying they found your sessions extremely beneficial.

Attendees ranged from those with existing back injuries, to others who were keen to learn how to prevent injury. Everyone enjoyed the manner in which you delivered the sessions, with your easy to understand introduction to anatomy, and your practical demonstrations made all the more enjoyable with your humour.

Personally I took a lot away from your sessions. I have always kept reasonably fit and strong and do not have a back problem, however I am conscious of improving my core strength and flexibility. From your sessions and guidance I have implemented lunch time strength and flexibility exercise sessions three times / week.

We have been going for over twelve months now and I am pleased to say that the regulars run the sessions when I am (very occasionally) unable to attendMy own flexibility is increasing and the other attendees all agree it has been of great benefit to them.

Thank you John for making a positive contribution to Health & wellbeing in the Nyrstar Hobart workplace.

Andrew Viney, Nyrstar, Health & wellbeing / Rehabilitation Co-ordinator

I first attended one of John Miller's "Seven Habits of Fit and Healthy People" in 2006. I found him to be one of the most genuine and inspirational speakers on health issues. He is humorous, friendly and engaging, non-judgmental and knowledgeable.

Subsequently in my role as Senior OHS&W Consultant I brought John to my organisation to run a series of one day seminars. Hundreds of our staff attended and were almost unanimous in their appraisal of John as the best presenter they had ever heard. John has left many of them motivated to make a personal commitment to making changes for the better in their lives: in their diet, exercise patterns, strategies to cope with the pressures of living or career choicesI have personally adopted and benefited from some of John's tips in relation to exercise and stretches to relieve a chronic hip problem. I would recommend John unreservedly to any organisation looking to enhance the health and wellbeing of their employees.

Kevin Keegan , Transport SA

In response to the positive feedback received from people who attended the Relaxation and CrookBack seminars conducted during WorkSafe Week, John Miller will be returning for an encore performance, with a further two sessions.

Dale Nissan , Vic Workcover

John,

Staff at Queanbeyan City Council have benefited from attending your CrookBack Clinic.

I have received a very positive response from staff who have participated in this session including myself, the hands on demonstration and exercises followed by all in attendance were very good for staff members to face reality and identify what they need to do to plan long term health goals.

Your follow up evaluation of all in attendance also provided a personal approach to this session. We would welcome this type of hands on training in the future.

Graham Harvey, OHS&R Coordinator, Queanbeyan City Council

John

In February 2009 I attended a Crook Back clinic conducted by John Miller.

It involved an interesting discussion around health/well being in general and a series of exercises conducted under John’s direction.

The exercises consisted of sets of stretches that were designed to assess your level of fitness and to gauge how supple/lithe you were.

The exercises were delivered to a group of nearly 20 individuals and the delivery was not only interesting, but was non-threatening and moreover, fun.

I personally found the stretches to be of benefit in identifying areas where my degree of flexibility could be improved.

I am still using some of the exercises in a stretching regime that I undertake each morning and they have allowed me to improve my fitness by making it more of a pleasure to exercise.

I have no hesitation in recommending the clinic to any individual as a means to improve their level of fitness and flexibility.

Bob Pitts, HR Manager, OneSteel, Whyalla

John

I attended your CrookBack Clinic and found that it provided what my chiropractic and physio experience did not; suite of practical and convenient exercises that improve your posture and encourage back awareness, alignment and care.

I'd like to say that I perform them daily - I don't, but I do them regularly and they have been a great help - certainly much more practical assistance (and education) than I have received previously.

John , Toowoomba Council

G'day John

Thanks for your input on the CrookBack clinics you conducted they were very well received.

Darren, Manager, OH&S, OneSteel

John - thanks for your recent visit to Darwin. I attended your CrookBack Clinic (I was your first demo bunny) and have been doing many of the exercises daily.

Almost immediately I noticed a distinct improvement in the pain in my back - to the point that my back is virtually un-stiff when I get up in the morning now. It may sound corny, but you have changed my life (for now, anyway).

Thanks John,

Brad, Parks Australia, Darwin

I am a 56 yo male Senior Executive with a desk job that also involves frequent plane travel. Prior to attending one of John Miller's CrookBack Clinics 3-4 years ago I was a regular visitor to chiropractors seeking relief from chronic lower back pain, exacerbated by unequal hip height.

Although these visits relieved the problem temporarily, they left me unsatisfied that I was really addressing the underlying cause. Since attending John's course I have been able to maintain flexibility and build strength in my lower back to such an extent that I have not needed
chiropractic manipulation.

Ian

I have attended several of John Miller's Crookback Clinic sessions via my workplace organisation at the Australian Taxation Office and have found them to be extremely interesting, fun and very informative.

I have practiced John's exercises and feel they have greatly increased both my awareness and my musculo-skeletal health

John also sends regular Health and Fitness updates, containing both the latest updates on Crookback

John practices what he preaches and therefore is a great motivator and role model

Cherie, ATO, Adelaide

John

I attended one of your Crookback Clinics here at AASPO, and although I am lucky and have not suffered from many back related problems I found the stretching exercises to be very beneficial.

I make every effort to exercise in some form or another every second day, couple this with sitting at a computer for most of the day results in slight stiffness in the lower back at the end of the day. To relieve / ease this discomfort I complete one or two of the low back stretching exercises after arriving at home resulting in increased freedom of movement.

I would recommend the Crookback Clinic and associated exercises to anyone.

Thanks, Simon Defence

Hi John

I want to thank you for the valuable lessons you taught a number of us at a Seven Habits for Fit and Healthy People seminar.

Our Manager was so impressed that he implemented stretching exercises every Monday, Wednesday and Friday morning. I have run these sessions since January.

Initially the group of between 4 and 9 would perform simple stretches and joint movement exercises that could be done standing up. This was to save people having to change clothes or dirty their office clothes on our dirty carpet.

The exercises were largely from your 'Neck, Shoulder and Arm Exercises' series with a few adapted from your 'Crook Back Exercises' series. While useful, I could see that we needed to build on them.

After an impromptu visit from you earlier this year, a number of newcomers joined our group and more intense stretches and exercises were added to the session. With the aid of mats, floor work was added and many more exercises from your 'Crook Back' series were employed.

So far, I have noticed a big difference in the balance of people who regularly attend.

I know of one person who was very anxious about pain and lack of power in her arms and hands. Since regularly attending these sessions, she has slowly developed more flexibility in her shoulders but, most importantly, she has found some stretches that relieve the pain in her hands and fingers! She seems much happier and has bough 3 newcomers to the sessions!

One person regularly rides horses and has found great benefit from stretching before the working day. Exercising in work time has been the motivating factor.

Our manager has been doing your exercises since the session and has noticed a large decrease in the number of headaches he suffers.

Personally I have appreciated the benefits of exercising as we do. I am more supple, particularly in the hips and shoulders, and have found a few specific exercises that can help my niggling back. I am so conscious of opening up the chest area and 'pinching' my shoulder blades together now. I think about it when sitting at my desk, working, too.

I like exercising before work as it relieves any tension built up from the drive into work and assists me to focus and get on with the job quickly when I get back to my desk. Some time ago I hurt my feet. Although they are repaired now, without the stretches in the morning I would certainly damage them again.

Apart from the benefits of the exercises you gave us, you told me I could run the sessions! Without this I would not even have attempted it. Further, three people I know of have taken copies of your exercises and do them at home. As I left 2 copies in one work area, I don't know how many others have taken their own copies.

Thanks for all your help, John. I have made a lifestyle change because of you!

Lyn Transport SA

Hi John

I am aged 74 and attended a course of exercises conducted by you over a period of six weeks in early 2009. These included stretching, flexibility and weight training. My need from the course was to gain improvement in shoulder movement which had become limited. X-rays of the shoulder indicate very limited space remains in the joint.

The exercises you recommended proved most beneficial and increased movement and strength in the muscles around the shoulder.

The other exercises you presented were also very useful especially those increasing body and limb flexibility. You provided a detailed but simple written guide easy to understand and to use when exercising at home.

The exercises were presented simply and clearly and were suited to individuals of many different body types and condition and age.

Close supervision and guidance was provided for each of the 14 (approximately) individuals in the class. The introduction of the harder and more demanding exercises was done with care. I benefited from the course and would have no hesitation in repeating and would recommend unreservedly your programs for anyone wishing to improve their overall muscular condition and flexibility.

Michael Narrabundah

Hi John

Thanks for your email - I am glad to be able to provide a testimonial to your methods and techniques.

I attended one of your CrookBack clinics a number of years ago (I have lost my sheet of exercises so would appreciate another copy) even though at the time I had only an occasionally sore back (i.e. I had problems when pregnant but within a few months after the birth was ok - but for each child the recovery period increased) and so attended. I was reasonably diligent for a while and my back was great.

However I got slack and stopped doing any of the exercises for a number of years and although I don't have a lot of the other risk factors i.e. reasonably fit and not overweight (52kg - 164cm 49y.o) I found that over time my back got worse - i.e. it would be bad and then improve, and then get bad again but each time it was bad it was worse.

It got to the point late last year where I could not bend over and then to the point where I was in serious acute pain and could not even go from standing to sitting (or reverse) without major spasms.

I did consult a physio and maybe I was lucky but here I have to disagree with you about the approach physio's take to fixing a problem - he did require a number of appointments to treat the acute pain but he prescribed exercises to strengthen my core and increase flexibility to fix the chronic problem. He provided me with some exercises and they were helping but I knew that what you had provided at the crook back clinic was much more comprehensive.

So I went back to those (by checking with another attendee who has kept his sheet) and have been fairly diligent in performing them and my back has improved greatly - it is still not perfect but it is improving.

I can now bend over, get up in the morning and be able to move and don't have constant pain. Initially if I missed one day of exercises I was in real trouble by that night but now I am able to do so (sometimes
circumstances as such that they just don't happen) and I am still ok - I believe that my overall alignment is improving and even though I still have a way to go am at least not living with constant pain.

Martina , ATO

John

I have found that your exercises from the CrookBack Clinic certainly assisted me to overcome back, neck and shoulder problems. The information you provided in clinics and books has been a great resource and has assisted to improve my health. I would recommend to anyone, particularly those who undertake computer based work.

Linda, ATO, Brisbane

John

Without a doubt your exercise classes have been a boon for my back. I do resort to chiropractor treatment from time-to-time to put a few things back in place because I have failed miserably to commit myself to doing a range of your exercises that I find do work to maintain strength and structure.

Without a doubt, when I do commit myself to doing the exercises you have shown us my back is stronger and is much better able to cope with the indiscretions I regularly throw at it and my chiropractor visits are few and far between.

Thanks for everything you have done for me, I would strongly recommend your classes to anyone, not just those of us with crook backs but also to athletes who suffer from tight muscles and seek more flexibility.

Regards

Chris Carder

Hi John

I thought I would take this opportunity to thank you for the exercises and stretches I learnt attending the CrookBack Clinic. After breaking my back several years ago (L1, L3 & L5) it took some time to find suitable exercises to assist with my rehabilitation.

The exercises you showed me throughout the session have assisted greatly. In completing these exercises, I have dropped from 91 kg to 83kg and recently went on my first surfing holiday in years. I was able to fully enjoy the experience for the first time in years with little discomfort.

Once again, a big thank you.

Shane James

Hi John,

Great stuff, thanks very much for your emails, I really appreciate the exercises and stretches which are working well. I use them often at my sedentary job and in my build up to riding the Great Vic Bike Ride this year, my second year.

Cheers, Doug

John

I originally started as a reserve for the seminar but was fortunate to attend. For me, 85% was information I already knew, but the manner of presentation meant that I was able to enjoy reinforcing some previous knowledge.

Was it beneficial - yes. Would I attend again - yes. Looking at the group on the day, the majority of people gained knowledge and experience on their own health and fitness.

This was a good day and I would recommend holding it again.

Ledy, Defence, Russell

John

I originally started as a reserve for the seminar but was fortunate to attend. For me, 85% was information I already knew, but the manner of presentation meant that I was able to enjoy reinforcing some previous knowledge.

Was it beneficial - yes. Would I attend again - yes. Looking at the group on the day, the majority of people gained knowledge and experience on their own health and fitness.

This was a good day and I would recommend holding it again.

Ledy, Defence, Russell

Dear John

Once again I've been totally absorbed by your message. You hit the nail right on the head with what you say.

Thanks so much for continuing to make us realise what idiots we are and giving us a wake up call.

Best wishes, and many thanks,

Trish

Dear John

Just a small note to let you know I have been following the stretching routines you showed us in the CrookBack Clinic at Puckapunyal mainly the ones for hamstring and hip and I have noticed a big difference specially in my walking and squatting exercise.

Bob, Defense, Puckapunyal

Hi John,

Thanks for the report. The workshop was excellent, I gained so much from the day. Your website is a wealth of information ... very motivating.

Phil, Defense Aviation

John

Thank you for your concern and advice. I have listened to you and I will implement your recommendations. I am very positive about reducing my back and neck pain with your recommended stretching exercises.

I believe that things happen in our lives for a reason and I am sure I was meant to attend your presentation to provide me with the knowledge and motivation to get back on track.

You have made a huge impression. Thank you for being you!

Allison

John

Thanks for your Seven Habits course which I did recently at the AIS with other Defence personnel. I was interested to see how many books you have authored. Is there a brief description of what they cover - yes I realise that the titles give it away to a large extent but is there more?

Thanks again for the inspiration - I have started down a better path to health and fitness.

David, Defense

John

I found the regime of exercises targeting the back most useful, in particular the hip crossover. I regular fall back on the exercises when I am going through a period of back soreness. I also incorporated the hip crossover into the stretching routine for the junior soccer team that I coach. A few of them (16 and 17 year olds) have back ailments and they also use the stretch regularly to help them.

Peter, Defence

Hi John

I attended a crook back clinic run by John which was organised through our corporate Health and Wellbeing program. John made sense and his advice and exercises helped me tremendously in managing my back pain. I am not the best at sticking to a routine, especially when the pain subsides. However, when the discomfort returns I use the exercises given to me by John and they never fail to bring relief.

Bill, ATO

John

Thank you for the training provided on Monday & yesterday. It appears from the feedback the CrookBack sessions were a great success, in particular for those people who were skeptical about going in the first place.

Attached is a copy of the evaluation reports I've put together for you.

“I thought it was great.”
“Great help – will keep practicing exercise.”
“Very informative and a good practical example of the benefits of stretching.”
“Good a few new stretches to try. Also not complicated (easy to do) thanks!”
“Enlightening, informative and interesting.”
“Wasn’t happy about coming but very valuable information was received.”
“Very useful, very good.”
“Informative and worthwhile.”

Lisa, Chief Ministers Department

John

I have attended one of you crook back clinics and found the information presented made me very much more aware of my posture and general health.

I have tried to on a regular basis complete the exercises shown to me during that clinic and that together with physio I have notices a marked improvement in my range of movement and musculo-skeletal health.

Regards

Paul, ATO