Barbara’s Story—Back in Action, Pain-Free
When Barbara Hendrick came to SolCore Fitness, back pain from a horseback riding accident had derailed her active life and was only getting worse. She’d tried physical therapy, osteopathic treatments, and even expensive injections—nothing worked until she committed to a new approach. After a thorough consult, it was clear Barbara was ready to work hard and make lasting changes.
An avid bookkeeper and “ridiculously active” outdoor enthusiast, Barbara’s passion for hiking, paddle boarding, water aerobics, pilates, and gardening made it essential for her to move pain-free. For her, being able to hike with her husband was non-negotiable: “If I couldn’t hike with Chris, then what’s the use in living?”
Q & A: Barbara’s Journey in Her Words
What made you decide you wanted/needed to start a program?
Back pain. I had hurt my back horseback riding and it was getting unbearable. I was desperate.
What did you do before?
I had done PT, Osteopath treatments and a 3 set round of Prolotherapy, and none of it worked to ease my back pain.
What results have you achieved since starting your program that you are proud of?
I have much better posture now. My spine is much more flexible and has a lot more mobility. And now even when I do activates that really cause my back to tighten up (like gardening) it goes back to normal really quickly.
Editor’s note: Barbara got hurt in August 2013. She started classes in May 2014, and by August 2014 she was able to go horseback riding without pain!
Do you have a favorite exercise? Least? What do you like or don’t like about them?
Frogs (inner thigh stretches) and butterflies (upper back strengthening) are my least favorite even though I know they are good for me. I love all the other exercises, because I know that I am doing a lot of good for my body by making it stronger and more flexible. If I did have to choose two movements that I especially love, it would be the 90/90/90s and the sliding back and forth move with my spine. The sliding move (lateral translation) really opened my spine, and the 90/90/90 (obturator internus myo-fascial stretch) balanced my pelvis and kept my back out of pain.
What are some challenges or goals you are currently working on?
To keep my body in a place where I can keep playing. I want to hike, horseback ride, paddle board, work out, garden, etc., without the fear of getting hurt.
What do you like best about our program/having a trainer?
You guys make it so comfortable to come and work out. And it is a lot of fun in class. Really humorous.
What advice would you give to the other SolCore Fitness members?
Do your homework! (I swear I didn’t make her say that)
Side note: It took Barbara about four months before she started doing her homework. When she did, her results started to be extremely rapid.
What would you say to someone on the fence about joining our program?
Give it a try. To try it for three months is nothing.
Inspired by Barbara’s journey and want to get moving again without pain?
Explore how our Personal Training and Manual Therapy can help:
https://www.solcorefitness.com/personal-training-and-manual-therapy/
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