Scott’s story - Back and Knee pain

Before Align

Ten years ago, I had surgery in a dermatology office to remove a birthmark, but I contracted a staph infection. It spread to my low back and deteriorated two vertebrae and a disc. I was in intensive care for three days before they put me on some vicious antibiotics. I mean, it peeled my skin off. It was a really life changing episode.

Within a couple of years, I needed surgery because I lost mobility in my legs. I had two different surgeries within a week and they inserted springs in my back to hold the vertebrae apart like a disc so it couldn’t pinch my nerves anymore.

Seven years after those surgeries, the pain was coming back, and I didn’t want surgery again. It takes too long to recover. I love hunting, fishing, golfing, and being active, but all of that was coming to a grinding halt for me again.

Coming to Align

A friend of mine in the nursing industry recommended Align, and told me to check it out. After coming in for my Free Pain Diagnostic, I decided it was worth the investment. It's an insurance plan for me to have good health and be able to get back to doing what I like to do in my normal lifestyle.

It was a slow starting, but eventually I noticed that I could ride in the car longer without my back brace, I could do a little bit of yard work without my back brace, and I could golf and I wouldn't be sore for two or three days like previously.

Life Now

I’m really happy with where I'm at. Even if I just stay right here, my life is great. I've been staying out of pain because of what I've learned at Align. I tell people about it all the time. I can go fishing again, sit in the boat for a whole day, and not be in pain the next day. 

I’ve also been traveling more. I went hunting for three weeks with my son, and I just got back from a 10-day trip to Ireland. I could never have made that trip last year between the flights, the buses, the walking, and just being out of my normal routine in the evening, my bed, pillow etc.

I’ve learned different methods to alleviate pain when it comes on too. 

I don't always have to do a whole workout, sometimes it’s just about getting things moving and mobile again. Before Align, I was slowing down because everything hurt and I could hardly get out of my recliner. So I'm happy with the results and with what I've learned here as far as maintaining quality of life.

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

The first thing is that you have to want to walk in the door. You have to want to get better. 

There's so many people my age (and I've quit reading the obituaries) that have health issues. Health is the biggest discussion when we get together with people our age. Questions like, how are you getting by? Are you happy with where you're at?

There's so many people that have given up. They don't want to take the next step. So you've got to be willing to want to get better.

Then, a lot of people need accountability. I need a coach. I need that little extra boost and accountability to show up and get it done. Honestly, if I was doing it by myself, a lot of days I'd keep pushing it off until later.

And there's really no pressure here. My coaches can adapt my workouts needed. They’ll push me, but also listen to where my body is at. 

My wife, Cathi, has problems with her arm. She has a plate and screws in there from a skiing accident, which affects her neck and so she's now started at Align and is already seeing the rewards.