Get Back To It

 At just 11 years old, a young dancer was diagnosed with scoliosis—a condition that progressed rapidly, eventually requiring a 15-level spinal fusion. In this inspiring episode, she shares her journey through bracing and the challenges of adolescence, all while holding onto her dream of dancing. Hear how she reclaimed her strength, rediscovered her rhythm, and now performs on some of the world’s biggest stages—with rods in her spin...

A high school athlete faced an unexpected diagnosis—rapidly progressing scoliosis that threatened the life she loved. From intense bracing to spinal fusion surgery, she endured months of pain, setbacks, and sacrifice. But through it all, she found strength she didn’t know she had. Now six months post-op, she’s back on her feet and discovering new passions beyond the cheer mat. Tune in to hear how this remarkable teen turned a life-...

On this episode of Get Back to It, we’re sharing the inspiring journey of a lifelong fighter who refused to let scoliosis define her. After years of pushing through pain and limitations, she made the life-changing decision to undergo reconstructive surgery—and it transformed her world. Now, she’s back to doing what she loves, from skiing to keeping up with her grandkids!  Tune in to hear her powerful story of resilience, recovery, ...

A Muay Thai class, a sharp twinge in the back, and a then shocking diagnosis—what seemed minor turned out to be a spinal fracture caused by osteopenia, the silent precursor to osteoporosis. Hear how an active 60 year old woman underwent a transformative kyphoplasty procedure and reclaimed her life. This story sheds light on the hidden dangers of bone loss, the importance of fracture prevention, and why prioritizing bone health is e...

What happens when life knocks you down, not once, but twice? Kasey Sutherlin broke her back twice—first in a cliff-jumping accident at just 19 years old, and then again a decade later while rock climbing. Her struggle with an undiagnosed eating disorder led to low bone density, making her more susceptible to these severe injuries.

Despite these life-altering injuries, Kasey’s story is one of extraordinary perseverance. She refused t...

In this episode, we dive into the extraordinary story of Emilya Semchuk, a woman who faced one of the most severe cases of scoliosis her doctors and chiropractors had ever seen. Diagnosed after a routine school screening, Emilya's condition was already at a point where non-surgical options were no longer viable. After years of enduring pain and discomfort, Emilya's journey to reclaim her health and well-being is nothing s...

Kerri Webb is a lifelong athlete who defied all odds after sustaining a spinal injury at just eight years old. Despite being warned to stop playing sports to preserve her ability to walk, Kerri refused to quit. She pushed through years of chronic back pain, spondylolisthesis, flare-ups from Lyme disease, and sepsis from meningitis, all while continuing to compete in basketball and triathlons. 

She overcame every obstacle to become n...

As a collegiate field hockey player, Jenna’s overtraining resulted in a torn L5-S1 disc. After an eight month journey seeing many providers including doctors, chiropractors, acupuncturist, and physical therapists to relieve her pain, she turned to non surgical treatments.  These included epidurals, SI injection, facet injection, nerve ablation, and a second SI injection.

The pain subsided for four years where she returned to running...

For Scoliosis Awareness Month, our “Get Back to It” podcast highlights a tale of resilience and perseverance on a Scoliosis Journey. Our host and CEO, Dr. Rita Roy, engages in a candid and eye-opening conversation with Broadway dancer and Spine Health Ambassador, Paige Fraser-Hoffman, who confronted scoliosis at the young age of 13.  Paige shares her journey of overcoming fear and the challenges she faced to fulfill her dream of be...

Join us on this inspiring journey with Jenny Jones, a dedicated nurse and mother whose life was turned upside down by excruciating back pain that began in the early 2000s. Thought to be just normal wear and tear due to an active lifestyle, her struggles took an unexpected turn after a startling fall created worsening symptoms.  This led to crucial spine surgeries that produced transformative outcomes. Jenny shares her remarkable 20...

Eric Wood, a former Buffalo Bills NFL player, and Dr. Rita Roy delve into the lesser-seen struggles and rehabilitation efforts in professional sports. Their discussion highlights the pivotal roles played by athletic trainers and medical staff in facilitating athletes' returns from injuries. Wood's own NFL journey, was marked by resilience in the wake of multiple injuries, a Pro Bowl nod, and ultimately a career-ending nec...

Monte Clair, experienced discomfort in her low back since her college days and throughout her early 30s. She managed her chronic pain through non-operative treatments for many years. But, while packing for a trip in 2011, she unexpectedly threw out her back just as she headed out with some friends for a road trip. She later found out she had ruptured a disc which required surgery. Hear her insightful journey to definitive treatment...

In this month’s episode, Dara Strader, a wife, mom, and grandmother, whose back issues began when she was injured at her job over 40 years ago. Dara has had low back pain for most of her adult life and was eventually diagnosed with degenerative disk disease and ultimately, a herniated disk. After years of pain management treatment, surgery ultimately relieved her of her pain and she’s now enjoying her exercise classes at the local ...

Naz Kabanni grew up in the United Kingdom where playing soccer was a way of life! He began playing at a competitive level beginning at the tender age of 6. As he grew, and the competitive levels increased, he began having back issues. Through working with physical therapists and athletic trainers, he learned that his hip alignment was off due to one leg being slighter longer than the other. Those mere centimeters difference was eno...

Debbie Fox began her journey when she began having back and neck pain following the birth of her second child. As the pain progressed, she felt dismissed, thinking she was probably just depressed. As her pain worsened, Debbie saw a neurosurgeon who diagnosed her with scoliosis. She spent years in treatment and finally saw a complex spine surgeon when her daily life activities were becoming more painful and limiting, Since her surge...