Unleash your inner superhero in this heartfelt episode of the "Get Back to It" podcast, where host Dr. Rita Roy teams up with Jennifer Fell and her incredible four-year-old son, Liam—a true spinal champion. Join their extraordinary journey from the fateful ultrasound that revealed Liam's abnormal spinal curve to the daunting challenges that awaited them. Brace yourself for the importance of trusted specialists and invaluable resources, including the Setting Scoliosis Straight Foundation and t...
In this episode of the "Get Back To It Podcast" host Rita Roy, spoke with Ava, a remarkable 17-year-old spinal champion and dedicated Girl Scout. Diagnosed with scoliosis at her annual check-up four years ago, Ava's parents sought non-invasive approaches to improve her condition and avoid surgery. Tune in as we explore Ava's challenging journey, including her 3.5-year experience wearing a back brace. Prepare to be inspired as Ava's story unfolds on the path to improved spinal health. Av...
In this episode, we are joined by Bobbi Giudicelli who has an incredible story to share. For her whole life, she suffered from back pain and thought it was normal. It wasn't until she started playing tennis in her early 30s that the pain increased and became debilitating. She consulted with a spine specialist and was diagnosed with spondylolisthesis. Over the next 12 years, she had to undergo surgery three times as the condition progressed up her lumbar spine. In addition to the surgeri...
In this episode of the “Get Back To It” podcast, Rita speaks with registered nurse, Suzanne Wurster, who was diagnosed with scoliosis when she was an adolescent. As she grew older, her Scoliosis began to cause her more pain and she began looking for answers in 2017. Her initial doctor suggested physical therapy and SI joint injections.The injections were initially helpful, but their impact quickly faded. Suzanne persisted in seeking more opinions from several other doctors, but none seemed to...
It’s not often that we get to hear about an actual expert spine surgeon giving an account of his own journey back to spine health from both a patient and a surgeon’s perspective! This is the remarkable story of one of our own, Dr. Todd Lanman, a spinal neurosurgeon who practices in Beverly Hills, is affiliated with Cedar-Sinai and UCLA medical centers, and who is a member of our prestigious Medical and Scientific Board. He is also a Spinal Champion. Support the show
In this episode of the Get Back To It Podcast , Rita Roy had the pleasure of speaking with Pat Schellhorn, a woman who faced life-altering obstacles and came out on the other side stronger and more determined than ever. Pat suffered from severe scoliosis, which led to immobility and a life filled with pain and discomfort. However, Pat refused to let her condition define her and instead, sought out a solution. Join us as Pat shares her journey of undergoing corrective spine surgery and how it ...
In this episode, Rita Roy talks with Aaron Baker, a man who has experienced firsthand the transformative power of disc replacement surgery. Beginning in his late twenties, Aaron struggled with back pain caused from degenerative disc disease and low bone density. Thanks to a successful surgery, though, he is now able to enjoy a wide range of physical activities, from hunting to CrossFit. Aaron shares his story with us and provides insight into what it's like to live with degenerative disc dise...
Colin MacGregor is a strength and conditioning coach who, on a cold spring morning in 2005, slipped on some ice on the way to his car. He could never have anticipated that at the young age of 30, he would be in a much worse position than the athletes he was helping, and in desperate need of his own rehabilitation. Fortunately, his industry training helped him create a program that got him back to an active lifestyle in record time. Listen to find out how Colin was able to regain his strength ...
When Allison's doctor recommended a spinal fusion at age 20, Allison just didn't feel comfortable with the treatment diagnosis. This led to her seeking a second opinion and ultimately had a discectomy, laminectomy, and laminotomy. Allison talks to Dr. Rita Roy about her experience advocating for her health at such a young age in this episode of the "Get Back To It" Podcast. Support the show
Ray Pugsley is a Spinal Champion who has had multiple spine surgeries over the course of almost 30 years. As a life-long athlete and elite runner, Ray was discouraged and frustrated when a pain in his back grew so bad that he could barely stand up straight. Fortunately, Ray was able to find the right spine treatments to address his pain and was able to return to running. You can hear his inspiring story on this episode of the "Get Back To It" Podcast! Support the show
🎧 🎧 New Episode! As an athlete, Patrick Collins was used to getting injured, so when he started to experience back pain, he wasn’t afraid to call his friend, a spine surgeon, to find out what to do. You can listen to our “Get Back To It” Podcast to hear how Patrick found healing and recovery from his injury. Support the show
In this episode of the “Get Back To It” Podcast, Dr. Rita Roy speaks with Dr. Carrie Holl, a clinical psychologist who woke up one morning in excruciating pain. Carrie knew immediately that this pain was unusual and self-referred herself to a physical therapist. The evaluation with the physical therapist showed that she would need surgical support. Soon thereafter, she had a C five C6 disc replacement. Although it has only been three months since her spine surgery, Carrie is well on her way t...
NSHF CEO, Dr. Rita Roy, sits down with Spinal Champion, Nancy Finch. Nancy is an 83 year-old former reporter, lobbyist, and public relations practitioner from Richmond, Virginia who experienced painful scoliosis that inhibited her ability to stand, walk, and even eat normally for years. Luckily, she found a treatment that worked for her despite worries that she wasn't eligible for surgery due to her age. Tune in to hear how Nancy experienced healing and recovery from her scoliosis! Support th...
In the first ‘Get Back To It’ podcast episode of 2022, our CEO, Dr. Rita Roy, sits down with Vivian Manning-Schaffel–a successful freelance writer and journalist. Aside from her writing career, Vivian is a mother, wife, and a Spinal Champion. Vivian’s story speaks to the challenges of having multiple spine surgeries and managing her own patient expectations of recovery. Tune in to hear Vivian’s real story of healing! Support the show
National Spine Health Foundation CEO, Dr. Rita Roy, narrates the story of Nancy K., a Spinal Champion who experienced painful arthritis of the neck. A sixty-three year old woman who had been having significant problems, off and on, for fifteen years, Nancy's symptoms stemmed from a teenage car accident. Take a stretch break and tune in to hear how Nancy experienced healing and recovery. Support the show
Introducing 'Get Back To It' Minis! These are short stories of hope in 5-minutes or less to be enjoyed in quick breaks from the rhythms of your day. Hopefully, this gets you moving whether in the office, at home, or on-the-go! James McKnight had been a union electrician for 42 years at the time of his spinal injury, enjoying his work on The Golden Gate Bridge. At 60 years old he had experienced back pain and some sciatica from time to time as most construction workers do, but in mid 2015, he...
National Spine Health Foundation CEO, Dr. Rita Roy, sits down with Spinal Champion, Tim Heller, to discuss his story of healing and recovery that involved a career pivot at a young age. Starting in 2010 after years of playing sports, dancing, and doing musical theater, Tim woke up one morning unable to move due to his pain. Listen on to hear about Tim's journey to diagnosis, treatment, and healing and recovery from his spinal condition. Support the show
We're celebrating scoliosis warriors this Scoliosis Awareness month! National Spine Health Foundation CEO, Dr. Rita Roy, sits down with Spinal Champion Advocate, Ella T. Ella wore a scoliosis brace throughout middle school for 20 hours a day and was just cleared to stop wearing her brace (in time for the summer and starting high school!) As a young student, there were many things that Ella had to navigate on her own and she gets real about topics such as bullying and mental health. Tune in to...
National Spine Health Foundation CEO, Dr. Rita Roy, sits down with Spinal Champion, Abigail B. to discuss her journey to spinal health. At a young age, Abigail experienced painful symptoms from degenerative disc disease that led to multiple surgeries and prevented her from doing the activities she loved. She was committed to her pain free life in seeking treatment diligently and this resulted in the gift of her first pain free pregnancy. Tune in to hear Abigail's full story! Support the...
CEO, Dr. Rita Roy, sits down with Spinal Champion, Abby W., to discuss her long journey to healing after a car accident. Abby, who had a 39 year career teaching kindergarten, underwent multiple spine surgeries and treatments before finding her current pain-free life. Abby also underwent a weight loss journey and today loves the active lifestyle she is able to live. Tune in to hear Abby W.'s real story of healing and recovery. Support the show