Donna’s Story - SI/Low Back Pain
When the Pain Started
One day, I bent over to get something out of the fridge and felt something snap. The pain was so intense that I ended up in the emergency room. They gave me pain pills and told me I probably needed a hip replacement. The pills didn’t help. The pain stayed, and it was bad enough that I had to use a walker for a couple of months just to get around.
I tried everything: physical therapy, chiropractic care, an orthopedic doctor, massages, even pain shots. That got me through the first year and functioning without the walker. Still, I wasn’t where I wanted to be. I pushed through the painful days, but the pain made a real impact on my life. It restricted some of the things I loved most: golfing, kayaking, exercising, traveling.
By that point, I was willing to try anything. I had talked to several people who had gone to Align and had good results, so I gave it a shot.
First Impression
I honestly never would have thought that Align’s exercise methods would help me, but I was dead wrong! I’m so happy that I didn’t give up and let Align help me over time.
I noticed a difference in my body after working with Align for just three weeks. It was working! That motivated me to keep making progress, even if it was slow. I even took three months off from golf to give my body a real chance to heal.
The Journey
What I appreciate about Align is how they work with me. It’s not just a generic program. They tailor the workouts to my specific issues, including my shoulder problems, and give me tools I can use at home when pain comes up. Now, I know how to do certain movements that help relieve my hip pain right away.
Life Now
Since joining Align, I can golf again without the fear that swinging the club will cause pain. I can sit for more than 20 minutes without discomfort in my hip. I’m no longer relying on over-the-counter medications like I used to, and it’s just so much easier to do things without constantly worrying I’m going to hurt myself. All of that translates into having an overall happier outlook. I can fully enjoy my life again.
Pass It On: What would you say to someone who is considering starting their Align journey?
Just realize, it’s not going to happen overnight. Getting better takes time, and you have to be willing to do the workouts at home and at Align. If you stick with it, it works!
Coach Jamie’s Thoughts
When Donna first came to me, she was very unstable through her pelvis. Over time, that instability had led to weakness, tightness, and chronic pain. She really wanted to enjoy golf again, but it caused her a lot of pain and she was scared to make it worse.
A golf swing rotates the body the same way over and over again. That kind of repetition builds patterns into the body. Without enough balanced strength to support that movement, the body falls into unhealthy patterns, and that leads to joint degeneration.
Donna has been so faithful in doing her exercises. She advanced quickly because she put in the time and did her homework. Now, she’s able to do multiple complex strength and balance exercises she never thought were possible and get back to the activities she loves!