Linda’s Story - Low Back Pain

Before Align

In February of 2016, I woke up on a beautiful Saturday morning and walked to the kitchen to make breakfast for my family. I reached to stretch, but instead I was overcome with sudden intense pain and an inability to move. It turns out I had severed 70% of my L5 disk and it was pressed up against my nerves.

After surgery to remove the disk fragment, I started traditional physical therapy. I felt great for a week, but then I started to experience nerve pain and low back issues. After trying physical therapy multiple times, I gave up. In desperation, I tried three different injections, but nothing worked. My life was dark. I was in constant pain, had no energy, and couldn’t sleep at night. My normal activities, like gardening, basic chores, and even walking weren’t possible. 

So I reached out to Align. 

Coming to Align

One day my nephew was driving me home from work, and there was so much traffic that we were stopped on the road. I glanced over and saw the sign for Align Pain Management. The next day I called them and scheduled what has been the best decision to help myself I’ve ever made.

The Journey

Within the first month, I went from a pain level that was (on a scale of 1-10) higher than 10, to pain that was at a level one. The Align methodology provided relief within the first week and put my life on a whole new trajectory. My coach, Jaylee, was kind, compassionate, and tough. She supported me as an individual, and gave me what I needed to reach my goals. It’s really such an open, inviting, and supportive environment they’ve created.

Life Now

The results have truly amazed me. With the help and support of my coach, I have a future without debilitating pain. I am more focused, happy, and able to do the things I want to do. I’ve always loved mornings, but for the past seven years, they’ve been a struggle. Now, I have my mornings back, and more energy to live the life I want. Align gave me the tools necessary to put my physical and mental wellness back on track AND maintain it. I still have occasional days when my pain flares up, but after working with Align, I know that I am in control instead of the pain. My advice to someone else? Don’t quit on yourself. Align will help you get stronger; give them and yourself a chance.

Thoughts from Coach Jaylee

I remember when I first met Linda. She was in so much pain that she never really smiled. Her muscles were hypermobile and weak. She had no strength to support her structure, specifically her lumbar spine. This is common with women who are hypermobile. They love to stretch because they are good at it AND it feels good, but it can actually create more problems. 

What really got Linda out of pain was getting her stable and STRONG! The things she wanted to do (like working around her property, gardening, or even walking) required more strength than she had. Working with us, Linda went from not being able to walk without pain, to being able to deadlift 100 lbs pain free! A month or two after working with us, she started coming in with a smile on her face every session. Her joy and hope were back.