Disclaimer: The following post is in no way a professional health coaching post. Please consult your providers before starting any kind of routine.

A little background about my physical fitness. I’ve always been an active person that was in shape and healthy other than my scoliosis. Tried to eat healthy and was vegetarian for about 9 years.

I was physically active almost 7 days a week. Gym with cardio and weights, walking the dogs, hiking, biking, Orange Theory, runner. Took active vacations such as diving, snorkeling, hiking, kayaking. I didn’t let my scoliosis stop me for the most part. I did the activities, rest, TENS, heat, take Advil and move on. When my spine finally gave up on me on June 22, 2023, I was probably at the peak of my personal best physical fitness. I think a particular intense gym session is what caused my spine to finally give up.

After that day, when I first had the excruciating nerve pain down my left leg, I was unable to put my left foot flat on the floor without causing the excruciating pain. I could barely walk, couldn’t stand to cook so I was hardly eating. I completely stopped exercising as it just caused too much pain. I tried to walk a little bit each day and hoped it would fix itself. It didn’t.

Basically from June 2023 until June 2024, I didn’t do any kind of physical fitness. I was weak, in pain, lost my muscle mass and was at a scary low weight. Not in good physical condition at all. I saw the neurosurgeon NP for a surgery consult on June 17, 2024 and she told me I needed to gain weight/BMI to be considered for spinal fusion. I was very underweight and my BMI was 17. I have never easily gained weight unless it was muscle mass. I knew gaining weight was going to be a huge undertaking considering the pain and mental status I was in at that time.

That day I went home and started calling physical therapy clinics to find the right fit for me and my condition. I found one and went the next day for an ‘interview’ to see if they really could help me. That clinic turned out to be the right one and I had my first PT session on June 24, 2024.

I’m used to pushing my limit on everything I do and PT wasn’t going to be any different. And I had a time limited goal to gain as much weight and to get as physically fit as I could by the time I had surgery. So I embarked on my physical fitness journey with those goals in mind.

I started off with PT 3 times a week. This PT clinic was different than I’ve had before. They used weights and gym equipment in addition to Therabands etc. Not only was I gaining muscle mass, but I was working on strengthening my core, legs, upper body. They did everything in a manner that didn’t put any compression on my spine or use my back in a way that hurt. But I still hurt all over. Badly. Every session. But kept going. I had a goal.

I did start pain management, after 2 failed injections. The interventional pain Dr said he couldn’t help me and he agreed it was time for surgery. So I saw a pain management Dr there and he started me on a regimen with Tramadol and gabapentin. So I would premedicate with Tramadol before PT and that would get me through the session and then the rest of the day I would be in bed, in pain and was napping every afternoon.

Shortly after I started PT, I also started Pilates and myofascial release massages. I did both of those once a week. Pilates was a gentle way to get a full body workout, work on core and stretching. The massage sessions worked on loosening my tight muscles, from scoliosis and from my new active lifestyle. I had previously been an Orange Theory enthusiast and my local studio added in a weekly Upper Body Strength session. The instructor was aware of my condition and she always gave me modifications to avoid using my back.

I continued this routine every week until 2 weeks prior to surgery (June-Dec). Yes it was a bit crazy. Yes it hurt. Alot. I completed 56 PT sessions, 18 Pilates and 8 Orange Theory Strength sessions. I didn’t let pain, debility, depression, fatigue stop me. I wanted to quit numerous times but I kept going. I had a goal.

By 2 weeks prior to surgery, I made my weight goal. Not only did I gain weight, BMI and muscle mass but my end result was my body weight was 70% muscle mass. I felt amazing (besides the horrible pain). I was hopeful that this journey would help my recovery post surgery.