By: Mike T, Cambridge
Summer has always been my season. Whether I’m digging in the garden, walking the trails near the river, or swinging a racket at the community courts, it’s when I feel most alive. But last June, that familiar freedom started slipping away.
After a long weekend of planting, bending, and hauling soil, I noticed a nagging pain in my lower back. I brushed it off at first—just overdid it, I told myself. But the discomfort stuck around. A week later, during a casual hike, the pain intensified. It wasn’t just soreness anymore—it was stopping me from doing what I loved. That’s when I knew I needed help.
A Gentle Nudge Toward Healing
A friend recommended Helios Physiotherapy and Rehab. Honestly, I was hesitant. I thought physiotherapy was for people recovering from surgery or serious injuries—not weekend gardeners like me. But the pain wasn’t going away, and I didn’t want to spend the summer on the sidelines.
More Than Just Treating Pain
What surprised me most was how personalized the approach was. My therapist didn’t just focus on the sore spot in my back. They helped me understand *why* it hurt—how repetitive motion, posture, and even the way I lifted my garden tools were all contributing. Together, we worked on:
- Gently improving my flexibility so I could move more freely without strain through Active Release Techniques
- Strengthening the muscles that support my spine—especially my core and hips
- Practicing better body mechanics for lifting, twisting, and bending
- Learning small, daily habits that protect my back without slowing me down
And honestly? It felt empowering. I wasn’t just “getting fixed”—I was learning how to move smarter, not harder.
A Return to What I Love
Within a few weeks, I noticed a real difference. Mornings didn’t start with stiffness. I could garden again—carefully, mindfully, but joyfully. I even joined a casual weekend tennis game, something I hadn’t done in months. It wasn’t just that the pain was fading. It was the confidence I gained. I finally understood how to listen to my body instead of pushing through discomfort.
A Note to Anyone Feeling Held Back
If you’re dealing with back pain—whether from gardening, hiking, or everyday life—I want you to know this: you don’t have to “just live with it.” That quiet ache that seems minor now? It’s your body asking for support. Getting care early made all the difference for me. It didn’t just restore my summer—it gave me tools for the long run.
So if you’re in or around Cambridge and pain is holding you back, I truly encourage you to reach out to Helios Physiotherapy and Rehab. The right help is out there—and it’s more compassionate, more personalized, and more empowering than you might expect.
You deserve to feel good in your body. You deserve your summer back.