Greg’s Transformation: From Desk-Bound Pain to Active, Pain-Free Living

Introduction

Meet Greg: Greg works in IT, spending most of his day seated at a desk. Outside of work, he enjoys gardening and walking his dog. However, ongoing lower back problems were starting to take a toll on the activities he loved most.

If you’d have told me I’d have a personal trainer and be part of a gym, I would have laughed. Greg, Yorkshire

The Challenge

Greg came to True Physio seeking relief from persistent lower back pain. About a year prior, he had experienced a major flare-up that left him in significant discomfort. Despite seeing another physio for six months, he felt no real improvement. His back pain was so severe that he struggled to take his dog for walks and found it difficult to continue gardening. The fear of triggering another intense bout of pain left Greg scared to move and uncertain about how to regain control over his life.

Initial Assessment: During Greg’s initial assessment, we discovered significant restrictions in his lower back and hip movements. He admitted that much of this was due to his fear of accessing his full range of motion, which had led him to severely limit his activities. Upon hands-on examination, it was clear that Greg’s back had tightened up considerably, preventing it from functioning optimally. We also checked for any nerve-related issues, but thankfully, there were none.

Treatment and Progress

The Plan: After discussing Greg’s situation in detail, we devised a comprehensive plan to help him overcome his pain and regain confidence in his movements. We introduced him to our four-stage process, reassuring him that it was entirely possible for him to be pain-free and maintain that state with the right approach.

Our plan combined hands-on treatment with a home-based exercise programme. We started in Stage 1: control, with the primary goal of getting Greg pain-free and moving comfortably. As he progressed, we moved into Stage 2: progress, introducing more challenging exercises and focusing on strengthening. We explained that Stage 3: resilience, was where Greg had previously stopped, mistakenly thinking that being pain-free meant his journey was complete. This time, we would guide him all the way to Stage 4: maintenance, where continued exercise and strengthening would help prevent his lower back issues from returning.

Step by Step: Greg left his initial assessment feeling hopeful, and as the sessions progressed, his confidence grew. By his third session, Greg was excited to share that he had played table tennis with his elderly mother—something he hadn’t thought possible just weeks earlier. By the sixth session, his friends and family were commenting on how much better he was standing, a testament to his improved posture and confidence. Although he still experienced some morning stiffness, Greg’s commitment to his exercises helped him push through these challenges.

The Outcome

Greg continues to visit us regularly for maintenance, including massages, to keep his progress on track. He’s returned to gardening with enthusiasm and even took on the ambitious project of building a pond in his garden—something he “never would have imagined doing” before. Greg has also started going to the gym, working with a personal trainer to continue strengthening his body. He’s now out walking his dog daily and participates in valuable voluntary projects, such as animal surveys and rewilding efforts, including planting tree saplings on the moors.

Greg’s perseverance paid off. He initially followed his exercise programme diligently, doing it three times a day for 15 minutes. Now, he maintains his progress with these exercises 2-4 times weekly, alongside other activities. His gym routine has furthered his understanding of how his body responds to consistent strength training, and he’s reaping the benefits—even on days when motivation is low. Despite some personal setbacks along the way, Greg has continued to work hard and achieve his goals, never losing sight of his progress.

Working with Greg has been a pleasure; he has always engaged with treatment and exercise from day one. Greg is hardworking, and it was lovely to see his confidence grow through this process. He comes for follow-up sessions to maintain his progress and ask any questions he has, along with discussing any new home renovation projects! Beth Wade, Sports Therapist