Kayaking, exploring B.C
Kassandra walked into Restore Human one evening determined to find a solution to her back pain. She had tried many modalities and treatments but ultimately nothing provided her with a sustained improvement in her symptoms. As the symptoms worsened over time and began to limit her daily activity and hobbies, Kass began to avoid movement to avoid any painful triggers.
It was obvious as she walked through our studio doors that living with chronic pain had created a restriction in her movement. After our first 10 sessions, Kass's overall vitality became vibrant again as she began to discover her physical freedom. We often don't realize how much of an impact chronic pain can have on our mental/well-being when we're in the midst of the storm.
We often overemphasize rest to treat chronic pain. Rest doesn't diminish pain signaling nor does it address the reasons why the pain had come to be in the first place. For Kass, the biggest progress was made when she began to discover movements in a pain-free environment. As these movements flood the brain with positive pain-free information, the nervous system begins to rewrite the narrative.
She also learned to move more efficiently throughout the day to remove unnecessary forces that she was previously accumulating throughout her day. She quickly adopted the mindset of not being "broken" but being empowered to become her own body mechanic! She is now pain-free and enjoying all the adventures that beautiful Vancouver has to offer.
Kassandra Writes:
“Being outdoors makes me feel grounded, connected, and truly happy. When I injured my back, I was unable to do all of the activities that help me feel alive and well. After several months of inactivity, enduring chronic pain, and trying everything I could think of to make myself feel more comfortable, I started to believe I had lost control of my body. I also feared I was losing a big part of my sense of self – the fun, playful, adventurous part. I’m so glad I reached out to Restore Human for help. What a game-changer! Over the course of my sessions with Dave, my mobility returned, my pain melted away, and the thoughts I had about my condition and ability shifted out of the darkness and into the light. I can’t thank Dave enough for helping me reconnect with myself (and with nature), and for encouraging me to stretch my ability back to normal and beyond! I’m so incredibly grateful that I was able to bounce back to my active lifestyle. It’s so nice to feel like myself again!” – Kassandra