Livermore Woman Heals Back Pain Naturally—No Surgery, No Pills!

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“I’ve had back pain on and off for the past 10 years, but over the past several months, it’s gotten way worse. Doctors told me I had degenerating discs in my back, that it’s just a sign of old age, and that it’s irreversible… The only options they gave me were painkillers, spinal injections, or spinal fusion surgery—which might not even work.”
— Deb, 61, Livermore, CA

Can You Relate?

Living with back pain from “degenerative disc disease” can be frustrating and exhausting. It’s not just the constant physical pain that makes even the simplest tasks—like getting out of bed or doing house chores—a struggle.

It takes an emotional toll too.

Because when doctors say your condition is irreversible, or that you need to “live with your pain and accept it,” it’s easy to feel like you’re running out of options.

It’s even more disheartening when they suggest that your only choices are “pain management”—leading to a dependence on painkillers or injections that only “mask” the pain—or even back surgery, which in most cases can make the problem worse…

But here’s the truth: It doesn’t have to be this way.

In this article, I’ll show you how it’s possible to heal from degenerating discs, reduce your pain, and restore your mobility—even if you’ve been told nothing else can be done.

I’m Dr. Kevin Mao, a physical therapist, and together with my wife, Thuy Lu, we run Balance and Body Restoration Physical Therapy in Dublin, CA. Every day, we help people find natural solutions to chronic back pain—without relying on pills or surgery.

Today, I’ll share how we’ve helped hundreds of people with degenerative disc disease return to living their normal, active, pain-free lives—and how you can, too.

What is Degenerative Disc Disease?

Degenerative disc disease (DDD) is a common condition where the discs in your spine—the jelly-like cushions between your spinal bones—begin to wear out with age. As these discs lose their flexibility, your spine can become stiff and, in some cases, painful. It is lthe same as having arthritis of your spine.

While the diagnosis can sound scary, here’s the good news: Research shows that having degenerating discs doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll have pain.

In fact, studies show that there are millions of people over the age of 50 who show signs of disc degeneration on MRIs but experience no pain or symptoms, and are able to live completely normal lives.

This ultimately means that even if you’ve been diagnosed with DDD, your pain might not actually be directly related to your discs, and could be coming from somewhere else.

Deb’s Journey: Finding Hope Beyond Surgery

We recently worked with a client by the name of Deb who had been dealing with back pain for over 15 years.

Since she is someone who has a “high pain tolerance”, it was something she “just pushed through and dealt with”...

However, in recent months the pain started to get worse. It got to a point where her pain became so severe that she could barely stand up straight, walk for more than a few blocks, and she couldnt even to stand up to cook dinner for her family without being in tears.

She tried everything—physical therapy, spinal injections, chiropractic adjustments—but nothing worked.

Eventually, her doctors told her that, due to her age and “degenerating discs,” a “spinal fusion surgery” was her only remaining option.

However, they couldn’t even guarantee it would work. And also, having seen her husband go through the same operation a year earlier, and seeing how much pain he was still in, Deb was determined to avoid surgery at all costs.

The Real Source of Deb’s Pain

When we first started working with Deb, we took a different approach. Through a comprehensive, full-body movement analysis, we discovered something surprising: Her pain wasn’t coming from degenerating discs at all.

Instead, it was caused by overworked and inflamed muscles in her lower back.

What Do Overworked Muscles Have to Do with Back Pain?

One of the biggest mistakes doctors and spinal specialists make is focusing only on bones and discs, overlooking the crucial role that soft tissues play in supporting your spine.

You see, your spine consists of way more than just your bones, discs, and vertebrae…

It’s also supported by a complex network of muscles, nerves, tendons, and connective tissues. When these tissues become overly stressed or injured, they can also be a major source of pain.

Here’s why this matters: While degenerative discs may not have the ability to heal or regenerate, muscles can!

And they can heal quickly if given the right conditions.

So, the bottom line is even if you’ve been diagnosed with degenerating discs, your pain may actually be “muscular.”

And if that’s the case, this means you’re not doomed to a life of pain or disability. With the right muscle-focused approach, it’s possible to heal completely and get your life back—despite what your diagnosis might suggest.

How We Helped Deb Heal

Even though Deb had tried various treatments before coming to us, none of them provided lasting relief because they only addressed her symptoms—not the root cause. Weekly chiropractic adjustments, massages, and stretches offered temporary relief, but the pain always returned.

When we took a full-body approach, with the mindset of figuring out how “everything is connected”...

We discovered that her lower back pain wasn’t due to an issue with her back itself.

Instead, her lower back was “overcompensating” for other areas of her body that weren’t functioning properly. By addressing these imbalances, we were able to target the true source of her pain. Here’s what we found:

• Tight Hips

Years of desk work had caused Deb’s hip muscles to tighten, creating imbalances in her pelvis and placing extra strain on her lower back. Releasing this tightness provided immediate pain relief, especially anytime she tried to stand up or go for a walk.

• Poor Posture

Decades of poor posture had stiffened her upper back, which overloaded her lower spine. Correcting her posture relieved significant pressure, allowing her to stand comfortably again.

• Old Knee Injuries

In addition to her back issues, Deb had dealt with knee pain in the past, which left the muscles around her thighs and knees stiff and weak. This imbalance disrupted the foundation of her legs, increasing stress on her lower back. Restoring strength and mobility in her knees significantly reduced strain on her lower back allowing her to stand and walk without pain.

Deb’s Transformation

Deb’s transformation was nothing short of remarkable. Within just 2 weeks of starting this new approach, she already started to notice significant improvements:

• Her pain levels dropped by 40% (from a 9/10 to a 5/10).
• She could go for longer walks without her back feeling tight or tired.
• She was able to stand for longer periods with much less pain.

And after just 12 weeks of this targeted approach to address her underlying issues, Deb’s entire life began to change:

• She could stand in the kitchen for over an hour, cooking meals without needing to rest.
• She walked her dog every morning without the constant worry of her back “going out.”
• She enjoyed afternoons with her grandkids, even getting down on the floor to play with them.

And the best part? Deb was able to avoid back surgery, even though doctors insisted it was her only option.

“I’m starting to feel like my old self again. Just the other day, I stood for an hour cooking a huge meal for my family, and not once did I have to think about my back. It feels amazing.”

Struggling with Chronic Back Pain? We Can Help

If you or someone you know is living with chronic back pain and looking for a solution that doesn’t involve pills or surgery, we’re here to help.

We are currently accepting applications for new clients at Balance and Body Restoration.

Click Here to Apply for a FREE In-Person Consultation

This consultation isn’t a sales pitch—it’s an honest conversation about your health. In this consultation we’ll perform a thorough assessment, review your condition, and determine if our approach is right for you.

Please note: We are selective in who we work with. If you’re looking for a quick fix, this may not be for you. But if you’re ready to take an active role in your recovery, we’d love to see if we can help.

Click Here to Apply for a FREE In-Person Consultation

Sincerely,
Dr. Kevin Mao
Physical Therapist
Co-Owner of Balance and Body Restoration Physical Therapy and Massage

P.S. Not Ready for a Consultation Yet?

We also offer a FREE VIDEO COURSE titled “How to Heal Chronic Lower Back Pain by Fixing the Root Causes.” This course includes the exact techniques we’ve used to help clients like Deb find natural relief through corrective stretching and exercise.

Click Here to Access Our Free Lower Back Pain Course

While it’s not a magic solution, we’re confident that you’ll find practical, actionable steps to start reducing your pain and addressing its root causes.

Click Here to Access Our Free Lower Back Pain Course

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