Most of our clients in their 50’s, 60’s and 70’s want to stay as active and lean as possible as they age. However, as we get older, our bodies don’t lose weight as easily, and need more care and maintenance to stay active.
Are you feeling like losing weight and getting stronger as you age is near impossible because of your pain?
We have a woman in her 60’s who was frustrated with her increasing neck and shoulder pain that was stopping her from being able to BE more active so that she could lose weight.
She was told she NEEDED to have surgery and lived in FEAR because of what the doctor told her would happen if she didn’t have surgery.
Patient Success Story – Meet Donna
Donna came to a Free Discovery Visit to get clear on what was going on with her neck and shoulder pain after suffering for months if not years. She had MRIs done of her neck and shoulders and was told by her doctor that she needed surgery for her neck.
If she didn’t have surgery, any little thing could happen and she could become paralyzed. This is what she was told.
She was most concerned about these 3 things:
- Unsure if therapy could actually help
- Unsure what we would be doing in therapy and could therapy make her worse
- Unsure if she should “Waste time” since the doctor insisted on surgery.
Confused and looking to research all the information that she could get, she came in for a Discovery Visit at Hands-on Therapy Services.
First, she was serious about avoiding surgery (even though she had the surgery scheduled). She was unsure occupational therapy would help since she had tried in the past several chiro, PT, and massage services. All of the services were “not bad”, but she was extremely concerned this time due to the impending surgery. She didn’t know….were we going to “crack her neck” or push and pull on her?
Second, she wanted to lose weight and feel stronger as she got older but feeling increasingly frustrated that she couldn’t even walk her dog or exercise the way she knew how because of continued neck and shoulder pain.
I mean, she could barely get in and out of bed without having to pull onto something – much less think about going to a “gym”. And she was truely FEARFUL that something bad would happen. She was used to being very active and was always someone who loved to exercise.
Due to an old accident over 30 years ago, and with increasing neck and shoulder pain, difficulty getting out of bed without help, or even to lift heavy things over her head – she bounced from doctor to doctor…various therapies to massage. Eventually decided to get an MRI for all her issues. Sure enough that they found disc issues, stenosis, you name it, in her neck and recommended cervical surgery.
Donna was fearful that she was “wasting time” but something in her gut kept nagging at the possibility of avoiding surgery.
Donna at Hands-on Therapy Services
What we did was take the time to go over her concerns and answer her questions during the Free Discovery Visit. We did look at her MRI results and discussed the limitations of MRI and what actually happens in our therapy sessions.
In therapy, we look at the whole body for abnormal movement patterns, clinically test certain movements, and determine where there’s stiffness and where there are weaknesses. We discussed the phases of care and how therapy would work for her.
Donna wanted to know – “Can I become more active with less pain and avoid surgery?”
If you are unsure about how you can keep more active and stay lean as you age, and maybe even avoid surgery, injection, or pills your doctors are recommending, give us a call and request your Free Discovery Visit.
When it comes to if therapy works or not to avoid surgery – I told Donna that we should be able to see increments of improvement every week if she followed the plan.
Donna followed our plan and was able to see marked improvement week over week with less pain, more motions, more strength – helping her to feel confident about her decision to avoid surgery.
She loves walking her dog, gardening and was proud of being able to do heavier DIY home improvements around her home and business. Now, she’s not only moving better in all areas, but she no longer lives in FEAR and has gotten clear what is possible for her as she gets older.
Visit Hands On Therapy Services
If you have neck and shoulder problems and want to know what to do – grab our Free Neck and Shoulder Guide. Try out the tips and see what has worked or NOT worked for you.
And if you are serious about being more active as you age, and avoid pills, injections, and surgery, request your Free Discovery Visit and get clear what is possible for you. It’s an opportunity for you to find out for yourself if occupational/physical therapy can help your particular problem.
Written by Hoang Tran
About the author – Hoang Tran
Hoang Tran is a certified hand therapist and the owner of Hands-on Therapy Services and author of the book “The Hands-On Approach”. She loves helping people with hand, neck and shoulder problems, because she knows how bad and debilitating they can get if not addressed and treated properly (once and for all!).
The aim of her occupational therapy practice in the Miami area is to bring patients back to full functionality, without pills, injections or surgery.
If you are struggling with hand, elbow, or neck and shoulder pain schedule an appointment, OR request a Free Discovery Visit!
In these difficult times, we are here to help. Telehealth and online sessions are available!
