The pain was bad enough that I could not stand or walk for even 5 minutes.

I came to MidSouth Orthopaedic Rehab in July of this year (2013) because my doctor referred me due to back pain. My problem began in October of last year when my back and legs began to hurt. The pain was bad enough that I could not stand or walk for even 5 minutes. I hurt a lot trying to cook or clean and I couldn’t exercise including Zumba that I love to do. I went to my family doctor and after an x-ray and starting on some medicine my pain only worsened so then was referred on to an orthopedic surgeon. I received an MRI and it was recommended that I get an injection. I didn’t want a shot and I asked for some other medicine but they said they didn’t have any other and would recommend the shot. I looked around for some exercises to do on the internet so I could get some relief. I had several exercises that I tried but I wasn’t getting the relief I needed. The new medicine wasn’t helping and the side effects just made me feel worse. I continued to have pain that was radiating into my legs and was getting worse. I had a lot of pain while I sat and it was affecting my ability to keep my grandson and do some part-time work as a patient caregiver.
I was evaluated on July 8th at MidSouth Orthopaedic Rehab rating my pain from a 7 to 9 out of 10, in my back down to my left lower leg. Within the first two days I began seeing an improvement and by my 6th visits on the 23rd of that same month I felt 90% better. I could walk for up to an hour and by August 6th I was walking for 30 minutes on a treadmill. Just the other day I went shopping from 1 to 4 pm that afternoon which I hadn’t done in months. I do occasionally feel some mild discomfort but I just go back to my exercises and I’m feeling better right away. I am back to Zumba and have kept that up twice a week for over a month. I’m in control of my pain and I’m back to doing what I love to do.
I would say to others in pain: “If the things that I learned at MidSouth Orthopaedic Rehab can work for me at 58 years old, they probably can work for you too!”
–Minnie