Community Corner
70-Year-Old Shocks Doctors by Beating Degenerative Disc Disease
Doctors pushed surgery for her degenerative discs, but she found a natural way to heal.
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“I’ve been dealing with severe lower back pain and sciatica for months. At first, I just pushed through it, but it got to the point where I couldn’t sit, stand, or even bend over without excruciating pain. The doctors said it was degenerative disc disease and spinal stenosis. They told me my only options were painkillers, spinal injections, or surgery—but I said, no no no… that is NOT for me!” – Ann, age 70, Dublin, CA.
Can you relate?
If you’re living with chronic back pain and have been told it’s because of something like degenerative disc disease (DDD), it’s easy to feel overwhelmed, frustrated, and even hopeless.
You might find yourself asking:
- “Am I going to have to live with this pain forever?”
- “Do I really need to rely on pills and injections just to get through the day?”
- “Is back surgery my only option?”
These are questions we hear all the time from our clients. And if you’re thinking the same, I want you to know something important: there is hope.
First off, my name is Dr. Kevin Mao, and together with my wife, Thuy Lu, we own and operate Balance and Body Restoration Physical Therapy and Massage in Dublin, CA.
For years, we’ve helped hundreds of Bay Area residents find natural, non-invasive solutions for chronic back pain caused by conditions like degenerative disc disease.
And here’s what I want you to know: even if you’ve been dealing with back pain for years—whether it’s been labeled “degenerative disc disease,” stenosis, or arthritis—it is absolutely possible to:
- Significantly reduce, or even eliminate, your pain.
- Restore your mobility and get back to the activities you love.
- Do it all without relying on pills, injections, or surgery—even if you’ve been told nothing else can be done.
How do I know this is possible? Because I’ve seen it happen time and time again. Clients who thought they’d never walk without pain again are now gardening, traveling, and playing with their grandkids—all without surgery.
If you or someone you care about is struggling with chronic back pain, keep reading. I’ll show you how we’ve helped people just like you find lasting relief—and how you can, too.
Doctors Told Her She Needed Back Surgery, But She Said No!
Our client Ann is a vibrant 70-year-old woman who loves staying active and spending time with her two granddaughters. For years, she dealt with back pain, but it was “manageable.” She figured it was just part of getting older and learned to “push through the pain.”
But a few months ago, everything changed. The pain became unbearable. Simple, everyday activities like getting out of bed, standing up straight, or walking for more than a few minutes felt impossible due to sharp, stabbing pains in her lower back.
Even cooking dinner for her family—something she loved—became exhausting. She’d have to sit down and rest multiple times just to get through one meal.
When she went to the doctor, they ran some tests, including X-rays and an MRI. The diagnosis? Degenerative disc disease and spinal stenosis. Her doctor explained that a combination of aging, and wear and tear on her spine had caused her vertebrae to press on her nerves, resulting in severe pain.
The doctors said her only options were to:
- Learn to live with the pain and “accept” her condition.
- Take painkillers and undergo spinal injections to manage the symptoms for the rest of her life
- Consider surgery—either to “remove” parts of her bone or “fuse” her spine with rods and screws.
But Ann refused and wasn’t ready to settle for any of that.
She knew pills only masked the pain and came with dangerous side effects. Also, having seen friends and family struggle after back surgery, she promised herself she’d only consider it as a last resort.
At the same time, she wasn’t willing to give up. Ann wanted to stay active, enjoy her grandkids, and live her life without constant pain. So, she started looking for alternatives—and that’s when she found us.
The REAL Cause of Her Pain
Here’s the good news: Despite everything her doctors told her, Ann didn’t just get better—she made a full recovery.
And here’s the best part: she did it 100% naturally, without a single pill, injection, or surgery.
Now, you might be thinking, “But I thought degenerative disc disease can’t be reversed?” And you’re absolutely right—DDD itself can’t be reversed.
But here’s something incredibly important to understand:
Having a diagnosis of DDD does NOT mean you’re doomed to a life of pain.
Why DDD Isn’t Always the True Cause of Pain
Studies show that millions of people over the age of 60 have signs of degenerative disc disease on their X-rays or MRIs—and they don’t even know it. They have no pain, no symptoms, and live completely normal lives.
So, why is that? And more importantly, why are you in pain when others aren’t?
Here’s the truth: degenerative disc disease isn’t the only cause of pain. In fact, other factors often play a significant role, such as:
- Muscle tightness
- Soft tissue inflammation
- Poor posture
- Stress and tension
The good news? Unlike degenerative disc disease, these issues can heal.
For Ann, addressing these factors made all the difference. Over time, she was able to:
- Reduce her pain from a 9/10 to a 1/10 in just six weeks.
- Get back to cooking and taking care of her home without needing frequent breaks.
- Enjoy long walks and family vacations—pain-free and confident.
And most importantly, she feels like her quality of life has been restored. She realized that she was no longer constantly worrying about her back hurting, or going out inexpectedly. She’s no longer afraid of becoming permanately disabled or dependent on others as she gets older. Instead, she feels great—optimistic and energized.
What About You?
If Ann’s story resonates with you, I want you to know that relief is possible.
Click here to watch our 26-minute video about how to heal degenerative disc disease.
To share—in much greater detail—the exact steps and process we used to help Ann and hundreds of others like her, we’ve created a free 26-minute video. In this video, you’ll learn:
- Why DDD might not actually be the true cause of your pain.
- The most common mistakes people make when treating back pain.
- How we’ve helped hundreds of clients heal naturally, even after years of chronic pain.
- What it takes to reduce your pain, restore your mobility, and avoid surgery.
Accessing this free video is simple. Just click the link below to visit our website, where you can watch the video in its entirety. While you’re there, you can also explore video case studies we’ve compiled to see how we’ve helped others—just like Ann—find natural relief from chronic and complex back pain.
Click here to watch our 26-minute video about how to heal degenerative disc disease.
Sincerely,
Kevin Mao
Doctor of Physical Therapy
Co-Owner of Balance and Body Restoration Physical Therapy and Massage
P.S. Need Help Sooner?
Click here to schedule your free consultation now.
If you’re struggling with pain and need help sooner, we’re offering 3 FREE in-person consultations at our clinic in Dublin, CA, over the next 3 weeks.
During this consultation, we’ll:
- Take the time to understand your unique situation.
- Discuss what might be causing your pain.
- Share actionable steps you can start taking right away to feel better.
This is a FREE, no-obligation opportunity to explore natural, non-invasive solutions tailored specifically to you.
Click here to schedule your free consultation now.
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