Hydrotherapy has changed my life and made it possible for me to be a Dad to my two girls again. Simple things like pushing them on the swings, or enjoying a day at the beach which weren't possible before and now bring joy to my daily life.
My back pain story
"From a young age I've always worked in very physical jobs and from a young age I suffered with lower back pain. The pain got worse over the years and I managed with painkillers and physio. In 2017 my back finally gave out on me when my L4 and L5 discs herniated severely and left me with Cauda Equina which is a major problem. I was taken by ambulance to Southampton Hospital for decompression surgery and a MicroDisectomy on my vertabrae"
"6 months later I was undergoing physiotherapy and having epidurals to help with the intense pain I was having. I was unable to work, which affected my self esteem, and I struggled to bend down and lift my two young daughters."
My recovery
"I started hydrotherapy at Poole hospital, beginning with one session a week and then increasing to two sessions per week. I always felt the sessions at the pool really helped me, and it was something I actually enjoyed. Being in the water helped my mental well being as well as feeling better physically. Within a few months I was back at work"
"Unfortunately, the same back problem recurred and I was told that spinal surgery was the only real fix. During this time I also suffered with major issues with my Thyroid. The combination of all of these things affected my mental health and I was diagnosed with depression and anxiety disorder and I underwent counselling and mindfulness sessions. Throughout this time my back pain continued and it was clear that surgery was my only option"
"In January 2019 I underwent an extremely painful multi-level spinal fusion where the offending discs were removed and titanium spacers, cages, rods and screws inserted to hold me all together! The surgery was a success and has helped to greatly reduce the pain I feel on a day-to-day basis."