Bed BACK and Beyond

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Imagine being a successful business owner and mother, and then, in an instant, everything changes due to a devastating car accident. This episode of Bed, Back, and Beyond brings you the awe-inspiring story of Erica Sosna, who faced the unimaginable challenge of being paralyzed from the waist down after a car accident during a snowstorm in December 2022. Erica provides an unflinching account of her traumatic experience, from the terrifying 45 minutes trapped under a vehicle to the daunting realization of her spinal injury's long-term implications. Her narrative is a poignant reminder of the unpredictability of life and the extraordinary resilience of the human spirit.
In our conversation, Erica delves into the emotional and physical hurdles she encountered on her road to recovery. She recounts the intense pain and isolation during her hospital stay, the grueling rehabilitation process, and the mental resilience required to regain mobility and find a new normal. Listeners will gain insight into the therapeutic approaches that played pivotal roles in her healing journey, including McTimoney chiropractic care, Frequency Specific Microcurrent (FSM), and acupuncture. Erica also speaks openly about the significant impact her injury had on her family dynamics, underscoring the importance of a supportive partner in navigating such life-altering events.
But Erica's story doesn't end with recovery. She bravely shares how she found purpose and strength in returning to her career and even launching a new podcast, “The Career Equation,” aimed at guiding others through their professional journeys. Erica’s story is not just one of survival but of adaptation and triumph, offering valuable insights and inspiration for anyone facing adversity. Join us for an episode filled with raw honesty, hope, and a testament to the power of resilience.

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Was this episode helpful to you? If you would like to support my work on the show, you can buy me a coffee at https://buymeacoffee.com/bedbackandbeyond
Have a positive story of recovery to tell? Head over to https://bedbackbeyond.com/share-your-story/ to apply.

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Ever wondered what drives someone to get back on a motorcycle after multiple collisions? Meet Gallo, a resilient business owner from Reno, Nevada, who shares his incredible journey from tradesman and bartender to the proud owner of a live music venue called Sucias. Gallo's story is a testament to living life fully, despite the risks, and offers deep insights into the preciousness of pursuing what you love. Through his passion for motorcycle riding, Gallo embodies the spirit of our podcast’s mission: overcoming fear and finding hope and encouragement after injury.
Listen as Gallo recounts a harrowing motorcycle accident that left him with a broken femur and an unexpected hip discovery. Picture the intense crash, the initial shock, and the chaos that ensued, including his wife's frantic phone call and his subsequent blackout. Gallo's honest narrative sheds light on the grueling recovery process post-surgery, touching on the frustrations of hospital routines, pain management, and physical therapy. His candid reflections on the human aspects of recovery, such as maintaining normalcy in daily activities, make his story profoundly relatable.
Toward the end, we explore Gallo’s path to healing and acceptance through alternative therapies like hypnotherapy. Gallo reveals how working with a hypnotherapist helped him manage pain and addiction recovery, emphasizing the power of trust in therapeutic relationships. Highlighting the importance of living without fear, Gallo inspires listeners to consider similar healing paths. We invite you to share your own recovery stories on BedBackBeyond.com, fostering a community of shared experiences and mutual encouragement in the journey toward recovery.

Support the show

Was this episode helpful to you? If you would like to support my work on the show, you can buy me a coffee at https://buymeacoffee.com/bedbackandbeyond
Have a positive story of recovery to tell? Head over to https://bedbackbeyond.com/share-your-story/ to apply.

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When Susan first felt pain in the back of her leg in 2018, she had no idea a tiny disc herniation would nearly destroy her life. After losing 100 pounds, the 34-year-old healthcare worker expected to feel better, not worse. Instead, she found herself unable to sit, sleep through the night, or live without constant agony from sciatic nerve pain.
Susan takes us through her 14-month journey of seeking help while fighting a healthcare system that initially dismissed her as "too young" for surgery. The pain became so unbearable that she contemplated suicide, revealing the profound mental health impact that chronic back pain can inflict. Though cortisone injections provided temporary relief, they became less effective over time, reinforcing her need for a more permanent solution.
Following her microdiscectomy, Susan experienced what many surgical patients do - continued pain that made her question whether the procedure had worked. But after eight weeks, something remarkable happened - the pain disappeared. Now five years post-surgery, she remains essentially pain-free and has transformed her life completely. A woman who once avoided the outdoors due to anxiety now kayaks, hikes challenging terrain, and embraces physical activities she never imagined possible.
This episode offers something critical for those considering or recovering from disc surgery: proof that long-term success is possible. Susan's powerful testimony reminds us not to let surgical statistics intimidate us - the 80% success rate represents real people who found their way back to living fully. If you're struggling with herniated disc pain or recovery, this conversation will restore your hope that life can indeed return, possibly better than before.

Support the show

Was this episode helpful to you? If you would like to support my work on the show, you can buy me a coffee at https://buymeacoffee.com/bedbackandbeyond
Have a positive story of recovery to tell? Head over to https://bedbackbeyond.com/share-your-story/ to apply.

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Ever wondered how a seasoned yoga teacher overcame chronic back pain without surgery, and developed a groundbreaking technique in the process? In this episode, Yogi Aaron shares his incredible journey from debilitating back pain to becoming a pain-free yoga specialist. We discuss how his active youth and initial stiffness led him to yoga, and how he ultimately founded Blue Osa Yoga Retreat and Spa in Costa Rica. Learn about Ayama, Aaron's innovative yoga method focused on muscle activation for improved balance and strength, and how it has transformed the lives of many suffering from chronic pain.
Join us as we take a spiritual and physical journey to the Himalayan mountains with Aaron, where a near-fatal accident profoundly influenced his approach to yoga. Hear about the life-changing moment involving a falling boulder near Gangotri and how Aaron's yoga practice helped him manage this crisis. We'll explore the importance of embracing discomfort and the adaptability required in yoga, especially when physical demonstrations are impossible. Aaron's trips to India are more than just a travel story—they're a testament to the healing power of yoga and spiritual connection.
Discover the critical role of muscle activation in overcoming chronic pain and dispelling common misconceptions about muscle function. Aaron explains how his book "Stop Stretching" and the development of Applied Yoga Anatomy and Muscle Activation (AYAMA) came from his personal experiences with pain and recovery. Through inspiring stories and practical advice, this episode offers invaluable insights for anyone seeking to live a pain-free life through yoga. Tune in and uncover the secret to proper muscle contraction, stability, and a healthier, stronger body.

Support the show

Was this episode helpful to you? If you would like to support my work on the show, you can buy me a coffee at https://buymeacoffee.com/bedbackandbeyond
Have a positive story of recovery to tell? Head over to https://bedbackbeyond.com/share-your-story/ to apply.

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Transform your understanding of chronic pain management with our special guest, Julie Donnelly, a seasoned massage therapist and pain relief expert with 35 years of experience. Listen as Julie shares her remarkable journey from standard massage therapy on a cruise ship to pioneering her unique muscular therapy practice. Discover the innovative approach she developed by studying one muscle a day, leading to significant breakthroughs in treating chronic pain and injuries like headaches and sciatica. Be inspired by her dedication and commitment to resolving pain, highlighted through the compelling story of helping a man with severe sciatica regain his mobility.
Explore Julie's adventurous chapter in St. Thomas, where she lived on a sailboat and honed her skills under the mentorship of a retired osteopath. Learn how these experiences were instrumental in developing her holistic approach dubbed Juulstro Muscular Therapy, which focuses on treating pain and teaching self-care techniques. Julie recounts an extraordinary remote consultation via Zoom, helping a man in Australia alleviate severe sciatic pain, enabling him to visit his dying mother. Gain insights into the muscles involved in sciatica, particularly the psoas and iliacus muscles, and how Julie's techniques bring relief across the globe.
Delve into the relationship between pelvis rotation and sciatic pain, understanding how misalignment and muscle knots contribute to discomfort. Julie offers practical self-treatment methods to address the root causes of pain, emphasizing the importance of routine muscle health. Learn about her journey in creating books and online training programs designed to help people alleviate pain through self-treatment. Julie's dedication to promoting a pain-free life for all is evident, and we encourage listeners to share their own recovery stories. Join us for this enlightening conversation and discover the potential for positive recovery through Julie’s invaluable insights.
https://www.flexibleathlete.com/

Support the show

Was this episode helpful to you? If you would like to support my work on the show, you can buy me a coffee at https://buymeacoffee.com/bedbackandbeyond
Have a positive story of recovery to tell? Head over to https://bedbackbeyond.com/share-your-story/ to apply.