I Feel Your Back Pain
PT (Physiotherapist)
Dawn graduated from the University of Alberta in 1995 with a Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy. In 2002, Dawn became one of the business partners of CSA Physiotherapy Grandin Plaza and assumed management at this location in St. Albert while continuing her successful physiotherapy work with clients. See Dawn and the rest of the staff at our St. Albert location
International Young Riders – Quebec
Back pain can be annoying and even debilitating. I know because I’ve been there.
Over 25 years ago, I fell off a horse and broke my back. That was the beginning of my several year challenge with back pain. The next year, I got bucked off again – and this time I broke my pelvis. And yes, it hurt.
At the time of my injuries, I was already a physiotherapy student. A few years later, I graduated and officially entered the world of treating people with back injuries. I still had back pain and even had moments of debilitating pain where I couldn’t stand up.
Since I didn’t want surgery, and I wanted to continue working in my chosen profession, I went out looking for answers. All the treatments I did including physiotherapy, massage, IMS, exercises, changing my activities, cortisone injections and reducing my workload all helped, but didn’t totally solve the problem. Due to my own struggles with finding solutions, I became obsessed with finding answers.
What was the answer my back pain?
In my search for answers and commitment to avoiding surgery, I came across a treatment called prolotherapy. It was a game changer. I drove to Calgary and Canmore for my treatments every month.
Slowly, but surely, I started to improve. I was able to sleep better because the nasty ache in my back and leg improved, I could ride my bike, hike and even work more with less pain.
I decided to spend time with the doctors and physiotherapists who helped me so I could help others. From this experience, I have now developed a team of people including doctors, a nurse practitioner, physiotherapists, chiropractor and massage therapists to help people with back pain.
If you have ongoing back pain that hasn’t resolved with traditional treatments, it may be worth looking at whether you’re a candidate for prolotherapy. We are now able to offer prolotherapy at the Grandin location (St. Albert) so people don’t need to do the drive to Calgary like I did!
I truly believe the injuries happened so I could be a better physiotherapist and so I could bring more options to those who suffer from ongoing back pain. It’s important to remember that there is rarely just one thing that solves a chronic injury, but this could be part of the solution.
My hope is that no matter what helps you get back on your feet, you find the answers that are right for you! I’m certainly glad I persisted and found solutions that got me back to doing what I love – including riding horses again.
Your partner in care,
Dawn
