“I injured my lower back 8 years ago, rupturing a couple of discs. I was out of action for a long time. Eventually I found that keeping up the exercise and core strength helped prevent the flare-up’s that normally would put me back on bed-rest for weeks at a time. Thirteen months ago I really got into training and running again-until I felt something in my hip ‘let go’ on a warm down. I didn’t think much of it-until the next day. I was diagnosed with a torn IT band which went on to become trochanteric bursitis 6 months ago- the burning pain was with me all the time- sitting, standing, walking and sleeping hurt, which along with a long-term back injury was depressing. Right after the injury I spent literally hundreds of dollars trying to sort the problem-physio, osteo, chiro, acupuncture and clinical pilates. Some of these were successful in easing the acute pain, but only temporarily. I always felt like no one actually got into the area effectively. In the end I gave up trying to sort it. I felt like this was something I would just have to live with. A month ago I decided to start training again-I got two weeks in and the pain was too intense-I had to do something more effective than before if I was to continue. My trainer suggested sports massage, so I jumped on the web and found Marlon. We went through a comprehensive history and he said he’d seen this before and explained the problem and what was contributing to the pain. What surprised me most was the certainty that he could get me right, quickly and effectively. “You’ll feel 90% better tomorrow!”. I felt 95% better the next day. Marlon was able to intensively and effectively treat the areas that were causing the tightness and pain. By the second day, the burning hip pain and discomfort moving around was all but gone. The tingling toes were gone. I did a full crossfit training session 3 days later and had no pain during or after from the hip and/or leg. It only took one more treatment to balance up the other leg and the pain was gone completely. Two treatments-total! I have been training for four weeks since and not only have I not had any problems from the hip, leg or lower back but the increased mobility I got from the treatment has helped my technique!”

“I’m a 30 year male who had acquired a stiff back over the years of sport and medium to high gym activity. One summer’s day I was walking along the beach in St Kilda when I jumped up on to the footpath just up from the Stoke House trying to chase my son, when I felt a sharp pain shoot up my back, from my legs. The pain was intense and I couldn’t stand up or extend my back and had to lay down straight away. After about 5 minutes I gathered myself together and limped to the car finding it hard to breath. I thought I was stuffed! Sitting down was painful but I could manage driving the car. After multiple pain killers I could just start to function again, but with limited movement and still carrying a limp. I had used chiropractors in the past but I needed relief now and not over 4 x week 2-3 sessions per week with average results. I bumped into Marlon limping down Chapel street when he suggested I come down and be treated. Marlon took one look at my hips and said that’s the problem and away he went, after some intense massage and readjustment I was feeling as good as new. It was amazing the relief and instant improvement. I can’t thank Marlon enough for his honest approach to my injury and the speed in which he turned around my condition.”

“Late in January this year (2013), I hurt my back. I was diagnosed with a prolapsed L3 and L5 disc with disc degeneration also at L4 and L5. I had 5 nights in the Epworth hospital under extreme pain management, as the discs were bulging onto my sciatic and femoral nerves causing excruciating pain. My options were either an operation, or to try and go through the rehabilitation process. I chose the latter. Starting with physiotherapy and swimming, my doctor recommended deep tissue massage and that is where Marlon fixed me and got me active again. When I first went to Marlon, the nerve pain was killing me. I had a totally numb knee from the nerves, and a limp with no power in my left leg. I was walking like an 80 year old man, not like a 42 year old active guy. I saw Marlon once a week for 6 weeks, and after 6 weeks of Marlon’s deep tissue massage, swimming and yoga, my pain in my knee and back had gone, the numb knee had subsided, my power in my leg had come back and my muscles in my back and leg had started to strengthen and work again. Marlon was able to get the strength and flexibility back into all the muscles around my back injury. I would recommend Marlon for any type of injury, pain management or health and well-being. He knows exactly what you are going through and gets to the bottom of the issue, which results in instant results. Absolutely awesome!”

“Before Sports Optimum I had a pain in the side of my lower leg for over 5 years; I thought I couldn’t get rid of it because of my back, however it’s now gone, thank you Sports Optimum!”

“Marlon has trained me for the last 8 years, incorporating a program of flexibility, meditation and massage which can be practiced at anytime. These techniques have helped me maintain a pain and stress free mind and body.”

“When I first went to Marlon at Sports Optimum I was a severly anxious person. My training sessions have given me the confidence to create a better self. I have been training now for 18 months and have put on 14 kg.”

“I had been diagnosed from my GP that I had Carpel Tunnel Syndrome which left me with 2 fingers and a thumb completely numb for 6 months.My wrist and hand throbbed at night and continually woke me up. My GP told me cortisone may help and if it didn’t I would need to have an operation on my wrist to relieve my symptoms. That’s when I contacted Marlon and asked him his advice. In my mind I was convinced I was having surgery. Marlon told me that I should try remedial massage therapy and that it may not even be an issue of the wrist. After having my first remedial massage session I had instant relief. I immediately realized after that my pain had nothing to do with my wrist as it was being referred from the extremely tight muscles in my upper forearm. I followed this up with another session within 2 days and had all my pain completely relieved after 2 sessions! Amazing, as I thought I was going to have an operation! Thank you Marlon for saving me from surgery!”

“Just a short message to say, thank you, thank you, thank you! My back feels so much better, I can’t believe it. Obviously I need to stretch before swimming more often. You’re a legend! Lol. Anyway thanks again dude. Cheers, James.”

“Marlon, just a short note to say thank you for the treatments I’ve received from you over the last 6 months or so. I was diagnosed with chronic fatigue in 1996. I tried everything from medication to dietary supplements. On the rare occasions I had the stamina to attempt to exercise, it would more often than not leave me completely drained and unable to think clearly. After coming to you for a regular remedial massage every 3 weeks for the last 6 months of 2003 I am confident to say I seem to have totally come through the CFS. I think only a Chronic Fatigue sufferer can understand what it means to have that total dragging weariness, that is with you 24 hours a day, lifted. And I am stronger, healthier, fitter and much more positive.”

“She gives a history of 10 years of left shoulder pain on and off, for which she has had numerous treatments including chiropractic and physio, but the only thing that has made any major difference has been the work done by yourself.”