Where do I start about what Rob has done for me????
In January of 2024 after many years (? of lifting weights I āpulled my backā but, this time felt different, no matter the lighter exercise or no exercises at all the pain remained.
So, that started months of chiropractic and physio to no avail.
In March the pain started to radiate down my left leg and was excruciating. Iāve had three babies without taking so much as a Tylenol but this had me reaching for all the pain relief in the house we had.
It started to affect my every day life. I was in agony walking (limping around now) driving (some days I had to pull over as it was so painful and I drive for work)
and at work. Iām a nurse so having any type of pain like this limits what you can do at work so I was placed on restricted duties so no bending to the floor essentially. Every day I was taking 800mg ibuprofen to just get up and function.
In April I ended up in the ER I worked for many years to be told after my urgent MRI that I had a severely herniated L5-S1 that was impinging my S1 nerve (hence the leg pain and numbness) and two other small herniations further up the spine. I was referred to a spinal surgeon but knew the wait would be lengthy.
As much as I know about spinal surgery, on a regular day if you were to ask me what surgery id avoid, that would be it but, with the pain I was in I would have let them open me up that day if it gave me relief.
So, the wait to see a surgeon started and I began to look into how I could relieve the pain.
I started to read about Dr Stuart McGill and his Big 3 back exercises which I started them daily.
Then, I posted on women who lift weights Facebook page (Robs page) asking for anyone who knew a personal trainer who specialized in back injuries. Rob personally messaged me asking about the details and it turns out we had a very similar injury.
After some discussion Rob felt a perfect fit for what I needed so in July I began training with him online. He called and video messaged me regularly to check in and tweaked my training to my needs and pain level.
We started with all body weight and core strength
work for weeks before we even attempted adding any weight. This was both hard and humbling for me who was so used to lifting heavy even through pain but, I trusted and listened to him.
I got up one morning in September and was getting the kids ready for school when I thought āoh, I forgot to take my pain meds ā. I could NEVER forget before. So, I thought, letās see how I manage without. Towards the end of the day I took some but started to lower the dosage. Then I found some days I didnāt need any at all.
Roll forward to today, 15 months after my injury and 9 months after starting training with Rob. I am 95% pain free(little aches here and there) and back lifting heavier week by week.
The surgeon actually called me for my appointment in January and I happily declined the need to see him.
Rob has been amazing!!! I cannot praise him enough.
Such a wealth of understanding, knowledge and patience.
Thank you Rob!!
