Context
This lady first came to see me in 2020, aged 50. She was working full time as a nurse, a devoted owner of two dogs, and had previously been very active through her military background. A past hockey injury had affected her back, and over time her body was beginning to feel heavier and more restricted.
What was happening
She presented with knee pain and ongoing lower back pain, having had disc surgery almost two decades earlier. Scans had shown age-related wear and tear in her spine. She was also experiencing a heavy feeling in her head with reduced neck movement. The aim initially was simply to manage pain and keep functioning.
The Approach
Time was taken to carry out a thorough assessment and understand how her history, posture, movement patterns and workload were interacting. Treatment focused on improving alignment, restoring movement and building supportive habits, alongside simple exercises to continue at home. Care adapted over time, including support through a total knee replacement, always with the goal of maintaining activity, confidence and independence.
The outcome
Pain became more manageable, posture improved and movement felt easier. She remained active and in work, gradually improving flexibility and fitness. With growing confidence in her body, she even began open water swimming, something she would not have considered before. Just as importantly, she was able to return to walking with her husband and their dogs, something pain had previously taken away.
Her words
“Your support and encouragement have allowed me to live a relatively painfree life and stay active. It’s saved me from going down a spiral of pain and low mood. My husband is grateful too — we can walk together again, which hadn’t been possible before.”
Why this matters
Long-term pain doesn’t just affect the body, it affects mood, relationships and quality of life. When care is consistent, supportive and focused on keeping people moving well, it can help prevent pain from narrowing life’s possibilities, even in the presence of long-standing conditions
