Get Back To It

Monte Clair, experienced discomfort in her low back since her college days and throughout her early 30s. She managed her chronic pain through non-operative treatments for many years. But, while packing for a trip in 2011, she unexpectedly threw out her back just as she headed out with some friends for a road trip. She later found out she had ruptured a disc which required surgery. Hear her insightful journey to definitive treatment and living her best life.

Support the show

Get Back to It is presented by the National Spine Health Foundation and shares real stories of Spinal Champions who have overcome spine conditions and found their way back to the lives they love.

Learn more and discover additional Spinal Champion stories at https://spinehealth.org/community-support/get-back-to-it-podcast/

In this month’s episode, Dara Strader, a wife, mom, and grandmother, whose back issues began when she was injured at her job over 40 years ago. Dara has had low back pain for most of her adult life and was eventually diagnosed with degenerative disk disease and ultimately, a herniated disk. After years of pain management treatment, surgery ultimately relieved her of her pain and she’s now enjoying her exercise classes at the local YMCA 9 months later.

Support the show

Get Back to It is presented by the National Spine Health Foundation and shares real stories of Spinal Champions who have overcome spine conditions and found their way back to the lives they love.

Learn more and discover additional Spinal Champion stories at https://spinehealth.org/community-support/get-back-to-it-podcast/

Naz Kabanni grew up in the United Kingdom where playing soccer was a way of life! He began playing at a competitive level beginning at the tender age of 6. As he grew, and the competitive levels increased, he began having back issues. Through working with physical therapists and athletic trainers, he learned that his hip alignment was off due to one leg being slighter longer than the other. Those mere centimeters difference was enough to create malignment resulting in excruciating lower back pain. As a result of working with athletic trainers, he was able to manage his back pain through non-operative techniques and continue playing soccer all the way through a competitive collegiate career. He credits having to learn at a very young age how to properly take care of his back with preventative measures such as dynamic stretching and myofascial release, or suffer the consequence of injury and getting sidelined. Currently he works at a tech investment firm and enjoys playing soccer in an adult league twice a week. Now, well past his college days, he continues to use the tools given to him as a young boy whenever symptoms show up. Naz's story teaches us the importance of learning one's own individual needs, why flare-ups happen and what to do about it, in order to design a customized lifelong program for spine health.

Support the show

Get Back to It is presented by the National Spine Health Foundation and shares real stories of Spinal Champions who have overcome spine conditions and found their way back to the lives they love.

Learn more and discover additional Spinal Champion stories at https://spinehealth.org/community-support/get-back-to-it-podcast/

Debbie Fox began her journey when she began having back and neck pain following the birth of her second child. As the pain progressed, she felt dismissed, thinking she was probably just depressed. As her pain worsened, Debbie saw a neurosurgeon who diagnosed her with scoliosis. She spent years in treatment and finally saw a complex spine surgeon when her daily life activities were becoming more painful and limiting, Since her surgery, she has had a challenging journey, but considers her surgery a success in spite of everything.

Support the show

Get Back to It is presented by the National Spine Health Foundation and shares real stories of Spinal Champions who have overcome spine conditions and found their way back to the lives they love.

Learn more and discover additional Spinal Champion stories at https://spinehealth.org/community-support/get-back-to-it-podcast/

Tennis Pro Mike Kotz experienced sudden and severe leg pain, leading to a diagnosis of a herniated disc. After a successful microdiscectomy, he swiftly returned to teaching and playing tennis with remarkable post-operative results.

Support the show

Get Back to It is presented by the National Spine Health Foundation and shares real stories of Spinal Champions who have overcome spine conditions and found their way back to the lives they love.

Learn more and discover additional Spinal Champion stories at https://spinehealth.org/community-support/get-back-to-it-podcast/

In this episode of Get Back To It, Sheryl shares her remarkable story. In 8th grade, she was diagnosed with scoliosis after falling off a horse and wore the Milwaukee brace throughout high school. Despite her initial 56-degree curve, she opted for non-operative care over surgery for most of her life. This seemed to manage her pain until her husband fell ill with cancer and eventually required full home care, which took a huge toll on her spine health.

At 64 years old, Sheryl’s health was changing, and she knew she was running out of time. Her curve was now 100 degrees, and her ribs were almost touching her hips. She was in constant, excruciating pain and couldn’t function anymore. Her bone health was worsening with osteopenia, and she was concerned that she wouldn’t be a surgical candidate if she waited longer.

Ultimately, she found full trust in Dr. Lenke, who performed a 9-hour surgery to fuse her spine with rods and screws. The surgery was incredibly successful. Sheryl is grateful to have more mobility than she expected, lives independently, and even kept up on a recent family vacation to Disneyland. She exudes hope and positivity, honoring her late husband. Her best advice is to talk with other patients in the waiting room and use your energy for personal advocacy and research. Seek and find help, no matter how bad your condition may seem.

Support the show

Get Back to It is presented by the National Spine Health Foundation and shares real stories of Spinal Champions who have overcome spine conditions and found their way back to the lives they love.

Learn more and discover additional Spinal Champion stories at https://spinehealth.org/community-support/get-back-to-it-podcast/

When Air Force Veteran Jack Allen went on a treasured family hiking and camping adventure with his sons, he had to stop in his tracks so often, he couldn’t complete the hike because his back hurt so badly. His son, NSHF Research Assistant Brandon, had been studying that exact scenario. He urged his dad to get it checked out with a spine specialist. Jack had been suffering for 17 years with bouts of pain that would flare up and put him in bed for days at a time. This all seemed to stem from an incident in 2006 when he was moving furniture and felt that he had thrown out his back. Now, after a 2-level lumbar fusion, he is back to enjoying a full life, playing sports, hiking, and unrestricted by pain. He wants everyone to know that back pain doesn’t have to rob you of days and weeks of your life or limit your enjoyment of spending time with family and loved ones.  

Support the show

Get Back to It is presented by the National Spine Health Foundation and shares real stories of Spinal Champions who have overcome spine conditions and found their way back to the lives they love.

Learn more and discover additional Spinal Champion stories at https://spinehealth.org/community-support/get-back-to-it-podcast/

This insightful and inspiring podcast features Dr. Stephen Hochschuler, a distinguished and pioneering spine specialist with a 40-year history as a world-renowned spine surgeon. In a conversation with Dr. Rita Roy, the CEO of the National Spine Health Foundation, immerse in their dialogue as they explore Dr. Hochschuler's personal journey from a prolific spine surgeon to becoming a spine patient himself.

Despite his high pain tolerance, Dr. Hochschuler shares his experience with enduring hip and thigh discomfort over several months. Increasingly, the pain and numbness began to disable him. He shares his decision-making process, from seeking treatment and initially exploring conservative methods utilizing anti-inflammatories and rest. After trying a conservative approach with no relief, he realized that he would need further exploration to discover the cause of his condition and what to do about it, particularly given his age of 81 years.

The podcast conversation explores the emotional dimensions of being a patient, where Dr. Hochschuler emphasizes the empathy he gained while understanding patient fears. The significance of a comprehensive approach to spine care is discussed, as Dr. Hochschuler underscores the integration of diverse professionals like psychologists, chiropractors, and physical therapists within patient treatment at Texas Back Institute, one of the world's first comprehensive spine practices, which he co-founded.

This conversation sheds light on Dr. Hochschuler's distinctive perspective as both a spine surgeon and a spine patient, unraveling essential aspects of spine care, patient education, and informed decision-making for spinal conditions. The discussion extends to postoperative care, the importance of physical therapy and balance training, the role of yoga and fine motor control in sustaining health, and the broader implications of aging on spine health.

Throughout the exchange, Dr. Hochschuler's pride in facilitating patients' recovery and his awareness of the privilege and duty associated with trusted healthcare provision are palpable. The conversation culminates with Dr. Hochschuler praising Dr. Roy's adept interviewing skills and expressing gratitude for the chance to share his insights. As a finale, the speakers encourage listeners to find inspiration and recovery through shared narratives of triumph and expertise within the realm of spine health.

Support the show

Get Back to It is presented by the National Spine Health Foundation and shares real stories of Spinal Champions who have overcome spine conditions and found their way back to the lives they love.

Learn more and discover additional Spinal Champion stories at https://spinehealth.org/community-support/get-back-to-it-podcast/

Join us for an inspiring episode of the Get Back To It Podcast featuring Paul Llewelyn Franklin, a 64-year-old Spinal Champion. Despite enduring a fractured neck as a young teen and undergoing multiple spine surgeries later in life, Paul has accomplished incredible feats. From cycling through 20 countries to walking the Camino trail and the length of Ireland, he has raised funds for charities and inspired many. Recognized as a nominee for the "Most Inspirational Person of the Year Award," Paul's unwavering determination and resilience shine through as he shares his remarkable journey of triumph over adversity. Don't miss this empowering conversation on living life to the fullest.

Support the show

Get Back to It is presented by the National Spine Health Foundation and shares real stories of Spinal Champions who have overcome spine conditions and found their way back to the lives they love.

Learn more and discover additional Spinal Champion stories at https://spinehealth.org/community-support/get-back-to-it-podcast/

Unleash your inner superhero in this heartfelt episode of the "Get Back to It" podcast, where host Dr. Rita Roy teams up with Jennifer Fell and her incredible four-year-old son, Liam—a true spinal champion. Join their extraordinary journey from the fateful ultrasound that revealed Liam's abnormal spinal curve to the daunting challenges that awaited them. Brace yourself for the importance of trusted specialists and invaluable resources, including the Setting Scoliosis Straight Foundation and the National Spine Health Foundation. Liam's happy and adventurous spirit shines through, even as he tackles the heroic task of wearing a brace from the early age of two years old. In addition, Jennifer shares how their family embraces open conversations about scoliosis with their 2 other children. You will be inspired as they prove that resilience and hope can triumph over any obstacle. Let their superhero story ignite your own inner strength.

Support the show

Get Back to It is presented by the National Spine Health Foundation and shares real stories of Spinal Champions who have overcome spine conditions and found their way back to the lives they love.

Learn more and discover additional Spinal Champion stories at https://spinehealth.org/community-support/get-back-to-it-podcast/