Cindy’s Story - Low Back & Foot Pain

Before Align

I first came to Align with pain–chronic, nagging pain that had followed me for years. I had a broken big toe that never quite healed, plantar fasciitis that made every step feel like punishment, flat feet, knock knees, pain in my low back, and the creeping fear that I was following the same path as my parents, both of whom lost their ability to walk later in life.

But I kept walking anyway. Even in pain, I limped through it. I was the kind of person who pushed through discomfort because I didn’t want to stop moving, but deep down, I wondered how much longer I could keep going.

Coming to Align

I wasn’t doing anything about my pain except hoping that one day it would go away. My friends kept telling me about Align and how it was helping them. They were looking good and feeling happy, so I thought I would give it a try.

The Journey

In the past, because of my busy schedule, I had just tried to adjust to the pain and work through it. But after some time at Align, I had an “ah-ha” moment where I realized, “Oh my gosh, my big toe doesn’t hurt; my arches don’t ache; and my ankles actually feel sturdy!” I learned how important it is to stretch—and to do it in the right order.

I also loved how close my workout groups felt. I’ve been a part of a few different groups now, and we always blend like family. My coach, Jaylee, really cares about my progress and even helps me when I’m on vacation.

Life Now

Over the last few years of going to Align, I can honestly say: everything has changed. I feel good! I can walk and walk. With the proper shoes, my ankles can even handle cobblestones and uneven ground.

Before Align, I didn’t even know I was knock-kneed, but thankfully, with Jaylee’s help, I was able to correct that before it crept into my joints.

I’m no longer stressed, wondering if my toe, ankle, piriformis, or arches will act up if I use them.

I’ve learned not just how to move again, but how to heal—how to understand my body and take care of it. Now, when I feel that familiar piriformis pain creeping down my leg while I’m on vacation, I know what to do. I breathe. I move. I’m no longer helpless. I’m no longer guessing.

I can now easily walk 20,000+ steps a day—not because I have to, but because I can. It brings me peace, and my body can handle it.

Pass It On: What would you say to someone who is considering starting their Align journey? 

A lot of our problems start with our feet, arches, toes, etc. If they hurt and we overcompensate in other areas… there go our knees, and on up.

What Align gave me was not just strength, but confidence, power, knowledge, and something I didn’t know I was missing: trust in my body. I’m not trying to win a race. I’m trying to live well. And now I am.

I didn’t know what was possible until I saw it in myself.

Coach Jaylee’s Thoughts

Cindy was definitely in pain when she first came to Align, but I don't even think she realized how much. Her biggest pain area was her low back and piriformis, especially flaring up when she traveled.

Cindy and her husband would fly across the world, and then spend multiple days walking on their feet. That drastic shift, from long durations of sitting to walking, takes a lot of strength to stay out of pain. The small stabilizing muscles need to be strong to keep the SI joint in place. We worked with her to build those stabilizing muscles and keep her doing what she loves.

Cindy also has large bunions on both of her big toes. Bunions don’t automatically equal pain, but we do have to ask why they’re there in the first place. The answer is weak and dysfunctional feet and unhealthy footwear. Cindy has worked hard to change both of those things. Her feet have gotten so strong and functional despite the bunions still being there.

She now has strong arches and calves that are able to carry her body for miles—all while wearing healthy footwear that allows her feet to do their job. Structural changes in the feet (or other areas of the body) don’t mean someone has to be in pain. 

Cindy’s whole group has great camaraderie and their bond helps to motivate them to show up and take care of their joints.