TESTIMONIALS
What Naomi’s Clients Have to Say…
Brooke Wilson, 2021-22 Boston Ballet II Dancer
“I first started working with Naomi for minor pain in my knees and feet. As time went on, Naomi has not only helped me with current injuries, but also with alignment and technique. Her understanding of which muscles and body parts are involved with certain steps have allowed her to evaluate my form to prevent future injuries and help with my placement. Naomi makes sure to really get to know you and your body as an individual, and meticulously keeps track of progress—notating advancements and areas of improvement. Thank you Naomi for keeping my body and technique in shape!”
Faryal Ahmed, Parent of dancer at Northeastern Ballet Theatre
“My daughter has been working with Naomi for more than a year and has made tremendous gains in both strength and flexibility. Naomi’s training as a dancer and physical therapist have collectively been just what my daughter needs. Most importantly, Naomi is kind and gentle, and my daughter looks forward to their sessions together!”
Josh Curran, Dancer at Northeastern Ballet Theatre
“I went to Naomi for help regarding an ankle injury that was a year and a half old. My right ankle had a significantly less range of motion than my left, and was very painful when dancing on the level I wanted to. Naomi always had compassion for my injury—caring about how it impacted my goals, and was always professional in how focused she was in obtaining the results that I wanted. I have no doubt that in the future she will be my go-to for dance therapy as she is a professional in both fields, not to mention a wonderful person and practitioner.”
PHOTO CRED: UNH Dance Co Show
Emily Shafritz, Student & Member of the University of New Hampshire Dance Company
“I was struggling with ankle pain due to tendonitis, and Naomi helped me diagnose the problem areas. She not only gave me exercises to practice outside of our sessions, but did a lot of great work on the tendons through massage and stretching. Thanks to her I have more mobility and pain less often when working through pointe. She is very understanding and tries to help come up with the best solution and program for her clients to continue to thrive and succeed in dance.”
PHOTO CRED: Verity Evans
Keith and Celina Downs, Parents of Dancer at Northeastern Ballet Theatre
“My husband and I hired Naomi about two years ago when our daughter went on pointe to help her to prevent injuries while dancing. Naomi worked with our daughter on strengthening her muscles by teaching her daily exercises and stretches to be done before and after class. As a result of their time together, our daughter has stronger muscles, a greater turn out, and is more flexible! Naomi’s unique expertise as both a ballerina and physical therapist makes her incredibly knowledgeable as she teaches clients how the bones and muscles are supposed to move (and not move) while dancing. We appreciate all of this as well as her kind gentleness and attentive demeanor. She’s a caregiver who looks at us when we speak and really listens to what we are saying.”
Courtney Lampert, Dancer & Instructor at Northeastern Ballet Theatre
“Naomi is precise, thorough, and thoughtful with her evaluations. She crafted simple exercises specific to my unique anatomy, which have helped me improve my mobility in dancing measurably.”
Anna B, Parent of Dancer at Boston Dance Theater
We were referred to Naomi after my daughter sustained a dance injury during a performance. Her doctor diagnosed a strained hamstring, though I was concerned that it was her back after a Google search of her symptoms. The recommended treatment was making her worse and she ended up in a wheelchair after a month. That’s when we went to see Naomi. After her assessment, she recommended we return to the doctor and request an MRI for her low back. After a couple weeks of debating with our insurance, the MRI was ordered. The results revealed she had a very large disc herniation at L5/S1, the very concern we had two months prior when the injury occurred. Thanks to Naomi’s proper assessment of my daughter’s injury, she was able to get the surgery she needed and is back to dancing. She has even gone on to pursue her dance career in Boston. We couldn’t be more pleased with Naomi’s care and concern for her clients! Thank you Naomi!
Assaf Benchetrit, Associate Professor of Theatre and Dance at the University of New Hampshire
“Naomi is an amazing PT who heals not only with her mind and skills but her heart. She always gives you hope that, with adequate care and attention, there’s a solution for any problem your body may face. Dancing alongside Naomi as her partner in NBT’s productions, I developed a foot injury that flared up again and again with severe pain. After evaluating the issue, Naomi provided hands-on treatments that healed my foot. I was shocked—able to dance on the stage pain-free, again and again. I am forever grateful for the gift of dance she restored to me.”
PHOTO CRED: Peter Murray
Aeowyn Kendall, UNH Graduate Student & Company Dancer at Northeastern Ballet Theatre
“I started seeing Naomi due to an injury that came from a higher intensity and frequency of dancing. Through an initial screening and a series of follow up appointments, she provided hands-on therapy and different exercises I could do to help strengthen targeted muscle groups. Through working with Naomi, I discovered things about my body I didn't even know, and learned that certain “weaknesses” could actually be corrected and improved. I highly recommend Naomi Sawyer to anyone who loves dancing. As a lifelong dancer, she understands what ballet does to our bodies and how we can handle the stresses in a healthy and balanced way. I am a stronger dancer today because of Naomi!”
Edra Toth, Artistic Director and Founder of Northeastern Ballet Theatre & Former Principal Dancer of Boston Ballet
“I refer all of my students to Naomi when an issue crops up. Naomi is absolutely the BEST for getting the dancers up and dancing again!”
Stephenie & Daniel O’Connell, parents of a dancer at Northeastern Ballet Theatre
“Our twelve-year-old daughter’s Ballet Director referred us to see Naomi for a pre-pointe evaluation and to determine the cause of her persistent knee pain. Naomi listened carefully to our concerns; she was gentle, straightforward, and clear in her explanation of the underlying causes, as well as the direction she recommended. Over the course of several weeks, the exercises she prescribed successfully enabled our daughter to strengthen her leg muscles and increase her flexibility and she no longer complains of the pain. With Naomi’s expertise and fabulous care, we won’t go to anyone else!”
— Victoria Sottosanti, Ballet Instructor & Dancer at White River Ballet Academy
“I have had many injuries over my dancing career including plantar fasciitis, tendinitis, and immobilizing muscle tightness, and have sought relief from physical therapists, chiropractors, and massage therapists. Nobody has ever provided the support, relief, and healing that Naomi has. After thoroughly examining my specific structure, pains, and weaknesses, she provides hands-on treatments that alleviate and unlock the parts of my body that are stuck. She knows exactly where and how to apply pressure for releases; performs necessary minor adjustments; and guides me in how to continue healing and growing. I tell all my dancer and athlete friends—in fact, anyone who is stuck in pain or paralysis on any level—to go see Naomi.”
Janice Chase, Registered Nurse & Parent of Dancer at Northeastern Ballet Theatre
“My daughter Marley trains at Northeastern Ballet Theatre. She had been complaining about a painful ankle for quite a few months. We did some typical home remedies: Motrin, ice. We also went to see an orthopedist who offered the same advice of Motrin and ice. With little to no relief, I decided to schedule a consult with Naomi after a conversation with Marley’s ballet teacher. Naomi is the epitome of professionalism and her knowledge of the human form and body mechanics is unsurpassed.
Being that she is a dancer herself, Naomi understands the stress a dancer’s body goes through and is able to make sure dancing is safe for each dancer’s specific ability. She took measurements, tested Marley’s muscle strength and used this information to come up with a personalized regimen of exercises and stretches for Marley to do.
After only two weeks, her ankle pain was much better. After two more weeks, the pain was completely gone! Going to see Naomi was one of the best decisions I could’ve made for my daughter. I look forward to working with her throughout the years to come as Marley matures as a dancer at NBT. Thank you Naomi!
Audrey Eastman, Freelance Dancer with Great Bay Academy of Dance & Surrounding Companies
“Naomi has been a huge asset in helping me to dance pain free! I have struggled with hip pain for years, and through manual therapy and exercises she has given me the joy of pain-free battements! She always tries to make herself available to you when you need her and is never pushy about having to do “X number” of PT sessions, like other physical therapists. Being a dancer herself, Naomi understands the uniqueness of a dancer's body which always made me feel confident that the treatment I was receiving from her would benefit and not hinder my dancing. Naomi is a true blessing to the southern NH dance community!”
Amy Fracassa, Parent of a Dancer at Northeastern Ballet Theatre
“My teenager first went to Naomi because she was struggling with tendonitis in her foot and up her leg. She did six sessions with Naomi and took a weekly conditioning class with her. Naomi gave her exercises, tracked with her weekly during class, and cheered on her progress. As a dancer herself, Naomi is compassionate and knowledgeable about the types of injuries that are common to dance. She communicated well with me and my daughter and was very available for us to make appointments. I am happy to say that my daughter is stronger and ready to go back to dancing full time. Thank you, Naomi!”
PHOTO CRED: Elizabeth Langfeld
Cathy Baker, Mother of Dancer at Northeastern Ballet Theatre
"Nutcracker rehearsals were just beginning when my daughter's knee was popping and giving her pain to the point where she could not walk up the stairs. Naomi diagnosed my daughter's knee problem as being a result of a misaligned hip. After a few treatments moving the hip back into its socket and performing the regular exercises Naomi designed to strengthen alignment and the muscles around the knee, we saw enormous improvements. Because of Naomi's combined expertise in both physical therapy and ballet, my daughter was able to continue regular dance classes with some modifications during her treatment period. A few months later, she danced in all the wonderful Nutcracker roles in which she had been cast!"
Nancy Langfeld, Staff at Northeastern Ballet Theatre
“Naomi has treated me twice for separate issues with both of my knees. I had several sessions with her where she gave me exercises and stretches, as well as deep tissue massage therapy. In both cases I was able to continue my own treatment at home and be healed. As a parent, Naomi treated my daughter Elizabeth, a dancer at NBT, giving her exercises to help with a back problem. As a staff member of NBT I have seen her treat countless dancers successfully. Naomi's caring and relaxing nature coupled with her extensive knowledge makes her someone I would recommend to anyone for physical therapy treatment.”
PHOTO CRED: Peter Murray