JIM’S STORY

Chronic Injury vs. Activities You Love

Colorado Springs is getting back outside and doing the things that we love. However, some of us may be dealing with a chronic injury or pain that prevents us from fully enjoying a sport or activity.

Here is Jim’s story about a chronic injury that, while always in the background, would occasionally flare up and limit his activity. Seventeen years ago while golfing, Jim hit a beautiful, long drive that landed him faceto-face with a large water hazard. He knew he could take two shots to make it to the green or go for the all-or-nothing shot to get there in one stroke.

As Jim tells the story, “I did all the wrong things. I tensed up my grip and took a giant swing…and I hit the ground behind the ball.” Sadly, Jim flubbed the shot and our hero’s story is not one of triumph. But worse, he felt immediate tension on the inside of his elbow and soon noticed swelling. Jim finished the game and, later that week, saw an orthopedic surgeon. The diagnosis: the beginning of golfer’s elbow. He was warned to be careful as the condition could become chronic.

The pain in Jim’s right elbow is affected by things like yard work and gripping activities. While not debilitating, the pain has remained for nearly two decades. He received no answers from two hand surgeons and no improvement with a trial of rehabilitation.

Here is where Jim’s story takes a turn for the better. A new technology re-grows new blood vessels and stimulates our immune system to switch from inflammation to healing. It causes our cells to reproduce and kicks off a whole host of positive cell activity to promote healing. It is called radial pressure wave therapy, an aspect of tissue regenerative therapy.

By Jim’s third treatment, he had no pain with any activity that had previously been a problem. After 17 years, he has no pain!

If you are struggling with pain that returns or a chronic injury that is not getting better, even after trying treatments, check out this link and watch a video on Jim’s experience.