Each month, Iron Physical Therapy highlights a special patient to tell their inspiring story. We want to honor the people who go all in - body, mind and spirit. They show us what’s possible - that you can move on from a setback to do amazing things...to challenge your body, to chase your dreams, to address pain in a healthy way to #getbetterbebetter.

Check out Katherine’s story below and then click here to read more inspiring patient stories.

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When Kathy first walked into PT several months ago, she was dealing with unbearable pain from a severe disc herniation in her lumbar spine. Sitting, standing, lying on her back—even trying to get comfortable on her stomach—was agonizing. As a dentist, she struggled just to get through a workday.

But Kathy’s journey is a powerful example of how effective a conservative care plan can be with patience and dedication. Today, she's back to working 12-hour days, pain-free, and tackling high-level Pilates moves without setbacks.

Early on, Kathy’s goal was simply to avoid surgery and help her build tolerance for lying on her stomach, even if just for a few minutes. More recently, our PT sessions have shifted to replicating the intense demands of her Orange Theory workouts to help her regain confidence and reduce the risk of reinjury as she returns to her active lifestyle. Great work, Kathy!

— Dr. Chris Aherne, PT, DPT

In Katherine’s Own Words…

What was it like to experience such intense back pain, especially as it affected your ability to work as a dentist?

As a dentist, you need your back to be in perfect condition to function properly and care for patients. Having a debilitating disc herniation was one of the worst things I’ve experienced. As a dental practice owner, I didn't have the luxury of taking time off to rest and heal. I had to push through and work with excruciating pain. It was the hardest thing I've ever had to do.

When you first thought about starting physical therapy, what were you hoping for or worried about?

I knew I had to seek help. I tried seeing a chiropractor, but it made things worse. Then, I researched and decided to give Iron Physical Therapy a try. I felt I had nothing to lose because the pain level was already at a 10. I didn’t think it could get any worse. I was hoping for relief and put all my faith in the process.

What was the hardest part of the early days of your treatment, and how did you keep yourself motivated to #getbetterbebetter?

The hardest thing in the early days was pushing through the pain and keeping myself moving. Dr. Aherne motivated me and kept telling me to trust the process. He was confident I would heal, and his words gave me strength.

Can you describe a memorable moment in your recovery that felt like a turning point or breakthrough?

One thing I couldn’t do was lie on my stomach because the pain was so severe it would bring me to tears. The day I was finally able to do that was the biggest turning point.

Now that you’re back to working 12-hour days pain-free and doing Pilates, how has this experience changed your approach to fitness and self-care?

I’m glad I chose PT because I learned a lot about my body—how to pay attention to my body position and my core, and how to listen to subtle cues to prevent further injury. I’ve always been big into fitness and have returned to my weekly Pilates classes. The next thing I’m most excited about is getting back to Orange Theory to lose the weight I gained because of my injury.

What advice would you give someone thinking about physical therapy for a similar issue, especially if they’re worried about how long it might take or wanting to avoid surgery?

My advice to someone in a similar situation would be to try PT. I admit that it is not a quick fix, but I believe that you will learn more about your body going through this process, which will help you avoid further injury in the future. I knew that surgery was not for me, and now I am glad I went this route.