Margot's Story - A Knee Pain Journey

Margot is like all of us. She worked her entire life so she could enjoy her retirement. The problem was, when she got there she was in so much pain that she couldn’t enjoy it. When Margot started at Align she had debilitating pain in both knees. She felt desperate. She didn’t want to spend the rest of her life a slave to a wheelchair. Margot had been to every gym, had physical therapy, was having cortisone injections every three months, but nothing altered the trajectory of her situation. In her words, “I have control of my life now. If you would have told me a year ago I would be able to deadlift 120lbs, I would have laughed at you. What a difference a year can make…”

Life Before Align

“I had severe pain in my knees every day. The pain was unbearable. It was hard for me to walk any distance, stand for any amount of time, walk up and down stairs, or even step up on a curb. I loved going to outdoor markets and doing outings with my family. I couldn’t do those things anymore because I tired easily, and my knees just hurt so bad.

I got to a point where I knew this was going to be how I spent the rest of my life. My kids joked that I was going to have to get a wheelchair to get around. To me, it was no joke. It was becoming a reality. My passion for life was at its lowest.”

The Moment I Decided I Had To Do Something

“I retired from my job of 40 years and was really upset that I wasn’t going to be able to do things with my husband and family. I didn’t want to be that mom, wife, and person who is sitting on the sidelines watching. I wanted my life back. I wanted to enjoy my retirement. I knew I had to do something, but I had tried other gyms. I always felt very uncomfortable and really didn’t know what to do or where to start.”

Love From The Start

“From the very first day, I always felt very comfortable at Align. I never felt judged. The culture is great. I like how my coach monitors everything I do. She’s always watching me and knows exactly what I should be doing and what I’m capable of.”

Life Now

“I no longer take any pain meds. My knee injections have gone from every three months to every nine months. And soon I hope to stop them completely. My legs are so much stronger. My average pain levels have gone from an 8-10 to a 1-3. I can walk so much farther and can even climb stairs. If you would have told me a year ago that I would be deadlifting 120 pounds I would have laughed at you.

I have energy to do things with my family. I have confidence in my body. I have control of my life now.”

Passing On Hope

“If you are at your wits end with pain and poor health, there IS an answer. You can pick yourself up and get your life back. You CAN manage your pain without medication. You CAN learn how to move your body to manage your pain.”