Eric Wood, a former Buffalo Bills NFL player, and Dr. Rita Roy delve into the lesser-seen struggles and rehabilitation efforts in professional sports. Their discussion highlights the pivotal roles played by athletic trainers and medical staff in facilitating athletes' returns from injuries. Wood's own NFL journey, was marked by resilience in the wake of multiple injuries, a Pro Bowl nod, and ultimately a career-ending neck injury. The injury, coinciding with his son's birth, became a catalyst for new beginnings, including advocacy and speaking opportunities. Wood's proactive approach to managing his spinal health and embracing life's changes. This podcast casts a light on the hidden struggles, support systems, and adaptability required from professional athletes, offering inspiration and a deeper understanding of their off-field battles.Support the show

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

In this episode of the "Get Back To It Podcast" host Rita Roy, spoke with Ava, a remarkable 17-year-old spinal champion and dedicated Girl Scout. Diagnosed with scoliosis at her annual check-up four years ago, Ava's parents sought non-invasive approaches to improve her condition and avoid surgery. Tune in as we explore Ava's challenging journey, including her 3.5-year experience wearing a back brace. Prepare to be inspired as Ava's story unfolds on the path to improved spinal health. Ava has created a YouTube series called “Embrace the Brace with Ava” with tips and advice for teens who have Scoliosis. We hope you will check out her channel here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChGKOE2e8DYyj-XKnnqdTHQ?app=desktopSupport the show

In this episode, we are joined by Bobbi Giudicelli who has an incredible story to share. For her whole life, she suffered from back pain and thought it was normal. It wasn't until she started playing tennis in her early 30s that the pain increased and became debilitating. She consulted with a spine specialist and was diagnosed with spondylolisthesis. Over the next 12 years, she had to undergo surgery three times as the condition progressed up her lumbar spine. In addition to the surgeries, Bobbi also made a significant change to her diet. She transitioned to a whole food plant-based and gluten-free diet. She found that the cleaner her diet, the easier her recovery was for each of her surgeries. Now, at 67 years old, she feels better and has more energy than she did in her 40s. She regularly rides horses and plays pickleball for several hours, three to four days a week.Join us as we explore Bobbi's journey, her experience with spondylolisthesis, and how her diet has played a significant role in her recovery and overall well-being.Bobbi Giudicelli is the author of: “Freedom From a Toxic Relationship With Food: A Journey That Will Give You Your Life Back" and founder of "Read The Ingredients Superloafs" which are available at www.rtifoods.com and on Amazon.Support the show

In this episode of the “Get Back To It” podcast, Rita speaks with registered nurse, Suzanne Wurster, who was diagnosed with scoliosis when she was an adolescent. As she grew older, her Scoliosis began to cause her more pain and she began looking for answers in 2017. Her initial doctor suggested physical therapy and SI joint injections.The injections were initially helpful, but their impact quickly faded. Suzanne persisted in seeking more opinions from several other doctors, but none seemed too confident in their suggestions. That was until Suzanne visited a spine specialist, a professional in the field of spine care. This doctor recommended two surgeries, an ALIF (anterior lumbar interbody fusion) and a posterior instrumented fusion. Both surgeries were very successful, and Suzanne is doing very well and living her best life pain free. Her experience taught her not to give up on advocating for yourself and that you need to feel confident with your doctor’s treatment plan. Support the show

It’s not often that we get to hear about an actual expert spine surgeon giving an account of his own journey back to spine health from both a patient and a surgeon’s perspective! This is the remarkable story of one of our own, Dr. Todd Lanman, a spinal neurosurgeon who practices in Beverly Hills, is affiliated with Cedar-Sinai and UCLA medical centers, and who is a member of our prestigious  Medical and Scientific Board. He is also a Spinal Champion. Support the show

In this episode of the Get Back To It Podcast , Rita Roy had the pleasure of speaking with Pat Schellhorn, a woman who faced life-altering obstacles and came out on the other side stronger and more determined than ever. Pat suffered from severe scoliosis, which led to immobility and a life filled with pain and discomfort. However, Pat refused to let her condition define her and instead, sought out a solution. Join us as Pat shares her journey of undergoing corrective spine surgery and how it has changed her life for the better. She will inspire you with her resilience, determination, and positive outlook on life. Don't miss this amazing episode with Pat Schellhorn.Support the show

In this episode, Rita Roy talks with Aaron Baker, a man who has experienced firsthand the transformative power of disc replacement surgery. Beginning in his late twenties, Aaron struggled with back pain caused from degenerative disc disease and low bone density. Thanks to a successful surgery, though, he is now able to enjoy a wide range of physical activities, from hunting to CrossFit. Aaron shares his story with us and provides insight into what it's like to live with degenerative disc disease, the decision-making process behind disc replacement surgery, and the challenges and triumphs of recovery and rehabilitation. We hope you'll join us as Aaron shares his inspiring journey from chronic pain to active living.Educational programming made possible by a grant from Aesculap through our Corporate Leadership Council.Support the show

Colin MacGregor is a strength and conditioning coach who, on a cold spring morning in 2005, slipped on some ice on the way to his car. He could never have anticipated that at the young age of 30, he would be in a much worse position than the athletes he was helping, and in desperate need of his own rehabilitation. Fortunately, his industry training helped him create a program that got him back to an active lifestyle in record time. Listen to find out how Colin was able to regain his strength and mobility without surgery. Support the show

When Allison's doctor recommended a spinal fusion at age 20, Allison just didn't feel comfortable with the treatment diagnosis. This led to her seeking a second opinion and ultimately had a discectomy, laminectomy, and laminotomy. Allison talks to Dr. Rita Roy about her experience advocating for her health at such a young age in this episode of the "Get Back To It" Podcast.Support the show

Ray Pugsley is a Spinal Champion who has had multiple spine surgeries over the course of almost 30 years. As a life-long athlete and elite runner, Ray was discouraged and frustrated when a pain in his back grew so bad that he could barely stand up straight.  Fortunately, Ray was able to find the right spine treatments to address his pain and was able to return to running.  You can hear his inspiring story on this episode of the "Get Back To It" Podcast!Support the show