In my last post, I shared protection and prevention tips from our Functional Rehabilitation and Physical Therapy Director, Irene Rademeyer. Some individuals may not have been aware of the effects of sporting activities on the spine or how to minimize risk and damage to this vital body structure. As such, I hope that you found our tips helpful and informative.
Some persons may have read that post and thought, oh well, if only I had known or it's too late for me now. If you are one of those folks, don't despair because you may be able to return to the things you love! Laser Spine Institute has successfully treated several athletes, helping them to get back in the game. One such individual is Captain Norm Isaacs, host of Fox Sports Network's Big Game Fishing the World.
Captain Isaac's story was featured in June's issue of our newsletter, The Spinal Column. I chose to share his success today to encourage others who may be deprived of an active lifestyle, due to debilitating back or neck pain. Enjoy!
Back to Big Game Fishing
It is hard to describe a man like Captain Norm Isaacs. If you were to meet him, you would quickly realize that a life with back pain was not an option for Norm. He has lived an exciting life from signing a contract with the New York Yankees right out of high school to working as a flight instructor to becoming a professional big game fisherman.
Since 1986, Norm has dedicated his life to his career of professional big game fishing and shows on Fox Sports Network such as Big Game Fishing the World, Big Game Bites and Inside Big Game Fishing. Big game fishing involves tremendous physical strength and balance hooking up fish like 800 pound marlin which would be a difficult task for anyone to accomplish.
Living an active lifestyle for many years, Norm experienced low back pain and pinched nerves down his right leg that worsened over time. He was diagnosed with degenerative disc disease, bulging disc, foraminal & spinal stenosis and facet hypertrophy. Between fishing excursions, Norm tried several different forms of conservative treatment, such as chiropractic, physical therapy and acupuncture to relieve the aggravating pain.
He was apprehensive at the thought of spine surgery and concerned that it would affect his career and true passion for fishing. Norm knew that after failing conservative treatment, this was the best option. Once he came to LSI, he was pleasantly surprised by the atmosphere, caring staff and five-star service he received throughout his outpatient treatment.
In September 2008, Dr. James St. Louis performed a laminotomy & foraminotomy and a few days later, Norm was amazed at the difference. He commented, "You don't realize how much you missed feeling good - until you feel good!"
Ten months after his surgery, Norm stressed that his back is no longer bothered by bending down and picking up fish or spending days on the boat. He mentions that Laser Spine Institute is "nothing short of a miracle." Excited about his life after the surgery, he commented on his experience saying, "Absolutely a life changing experience. I'm back on the boats. I'm back to doing the things I normally do. I'm back to playing golf and I'm not hurting."
You can catch Captain Isaacs in action on Fox Sports Network, Sundays at 10:30 AM EST pain free and doing what he loves or click here to visit his website.
Some persons may have read that post and thought, oh well, if only I had known or it's too late for me now. If you are one of those folks, don't despair because you may be able to return to the things you love! Laser Spine Institute has successfully treated several athletes, helping them to get back in the game. One such individual is Captain Norm Isaacs, host of Fox Sports Network's Big Game Fishing the World.
Captain Isaac's story was featured in June's issue of our newsletter, The Spinal Column. I chose to share his success today to encourage others who may be deprived of an active lifestyle, due to debilitating back or neck pain. Enjoy!
Back to Big Game Fishing
It is hard to describe a man like Captain Norm Isaacs. If you were to meet him, you would quickly realize that a life with back pain was not an option for Norm. He has lived an exciting life from signing a contract with the New York Yankees right out of high school to working as a flight instructor to becoming a professional big game fisherman.
Since 1986, Norm has dedicated his life to his career of professional big game fishing and shows on Fox Sports Network such as Big Game Fishing the World, Big Game Bites and Inside Big Game Fishing. Big game fishing involves tremendous physical strength and balance hooking up fish like 800 pound marlin which would be a difficult task for anyone to accomplish.Living an active lifestyle for many years, Norm experienced low back pain and pinched nerves down his right leg that worsened over time. He was diagnosed with degenerative disc disease, bulging disc, foraminal & spinal stenosis and facet hypertrophy. Between fishing excursions, Norm tried several different forms of conservative treatment, such as chiropractic, physical therapy and acupuncture to relieve the aggravating pain.
He was apprehensive at the thought of spine surgery and concerned that it would affect his career and true passion for fishing. Norm knew that after failing conservative treatment, this was the best option. Once he came to LSI, he was pleasantly surprised by the atmosphere, caring staff and five-star service he received throughout his outpatient treatment.
In September 2008, Dr. James St. Louis performed a laminotomy & foraminotomy and a few days later, Norm was amazed at the difference. He commented, "You don't realize how much you missed feeling good - until you feel good!"
Ten months after his surgery, Norm stressed that his back is no longer bothered by bending down and picking up fish or spending days on the boat. He mentions that Laser Spine Institute is "nothing short of a miracle." Excited about his life after the surgery, he commented on his experience saying, "Absolutely a life changing experience. I'm back on the boats. I'm back to doing the things I normally do. I'm back to playing golf and I'm not hurting."You can catch Captain Isaacs in action on Fox Sports Network, Sundays at 10:30 AM EST pain free and doing what he loves or click here to visit his website.
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