Persistent back pain now a distant memory

I thought living with chronic back pain was going to be my lot in life. The pain affected how I moved, how I slept, how I sat, even how long I sat. I was limited in so many ways. It was disheartening, as there appeared to be no end in sight.

My back pain originated from three separate injuries: a broken lumbar vertebra, a bulging disc required a laminectomy, and significant trauma to entire back including a broken coccyx from a fall.  

 We restrict our movement to avoid pain.  Restricting our movement leads to remodeling of our fascia.  This remodeled fascia causes stiffness and immobility.  This lack of movement results in weakness leading to more pain. Rinse and repeat. If only there was a way to safely strengthen our low back muscles and increase our range of motion without causing more back pain.

 I ruled out surgery and dependence on medication.  Exercise often made things worse.

 In 2002 the Wall Street Journal published an article about the MedX medical low back machine. Subjects exercising on this equipment safely strengthened their lower back muscles and eliminated their back pain. One study showed improvement as much as 600% in back strength. I found a doctor who had this piece of rehab equipment, the only one in the city at the time. 

 Each week the doctor had me exercise on the MedX low back machine. As my back got stronger, my back pain disappeared.

In 2006 we acquired the MedX low back machine and an extensive line of MedX exercise equipment for our Austin personal training location. The entire line of MedX exercise equipment has rehab features that enable us to work with those who have physical limitations. With the right equipment and capable trainers we have helped clients strengthen their bodies, eliminate pain, and get their lives back. 

This is one client’s story -> here 

More information on MedX exercise equipment -> here

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22 years after osteopenia diagnosis doctor informs her that she is osteopenia-free

Carol’s osteopenia was progressing, and she lived in pain every day due to her scoliosis. Past attempts at exercise resulted in more pain. She began exercising with us, her pain disappeared, and her muscles and bones became stronger. At Austin TX Personal Trainers and at New Orleans Personal Trainers we primarily use MedX rehabilitation exercise equipment and a protocol that is gentler on the joints.  Carol demonstrates and comments on her exercise results in this video. Her words: “Replaced, repaired, restored”.

The MedX Rotary Torso Machine

The MedX Rotary Torso is one of the five pieces of the MedX Core Spinal Equipment line.  This equipment is often used for rehab. This equipment increases strength, flexibility, stability, and endurance. – all vital factors necessary for a healthy back.  At Austin Fitness Trainers and New Orleans Personal Trainers we have all the MedX Core equipment plus full lines of MedX strength training equipment.  The equipment and the protocol we use has contributed to our success working with those who have back problems

Getting it right after a hip or knee replacement

A recent NYT article (Getting a New Knee or Hip? Do It Right the First Time), as the title suggests, details the proper steps one should take if they are contemplating a hip or knee replacement – get a good doctor who has done a lot of the procedures, gather lots of data, adjust expectations, and follow doctors advice regarding recovery.

There was no mention of exercise. As personal trainers it is beyond our pay grade to prescribe and administer an exercise regime immediately after surgery, but we have worked with a large number of clients who have undergone hip, knee, and shoulder replacements once they have completed their rehab with a physical therapist.

Some examples:

• Doris aged 74 had both knees, both hips and one shoulder replaced. She exercised every week.


• Gale had a double hip replacement and had finished her therapy. When she entered our New Orleans Personal Training facility she was still using a walker. Years later she is still going strong with not a hint of a problem to her hips.


• At age 72 Jack started working out after his first knee replacement and right before his second knee replacement. A couple of months after his second surgery he was able to climb in and out of a bass boat to go duck hunting. Meanwhile his law partner who had the same operation at the same time was still using a walker.


• Tom aged 53 had a total shoulder replacement as a result of an accident. Prior to the accident he had been working out at our Austin Personal Training facility. It was seven months before he was able to return. He was told that the most he could expect was to lift his extended arm to should level. When his doctor saw him lift his arm directly over his head he said it was "amazing and remarkable” .


We follow simple guidelines. With the MedX rehabilitative exercise equipment we use we can make fine adjustments and limit the movement to a pain-free range of motion. Gradually we increase the range and make small increases in the resistance. Over time with small continuous improvements the results can be dramatic.

More information on joint replacement and exercise:
Exercise, Osteoarthritis, and Joint Replacement Part 1
Exercise, Osteoarthritis, and Joint Replacement Part 2
Exercise, Osteoarthritis, and Joint Replacement Part 3