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. Read Doinks’ story below and then click here to read more inspiring patient stories.

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Doinks came into physical therapy with the goal of decreasing the pain in her back, but she also mentioned that her right knee was an issue that prevented her from running for quite some time, and she really hoped to get back to it. Once she started to feel less pain in her back, we got right to work on her knee. She began to realize how easy it was to add her home exercises into her regular daily activities so she was making great progress.

With Doinks efforts in and out of the clinic, we worked together to regain the confidence that she could build the leg strength needed to run again. Although hesitant at first, she did not shy away from any challenges posed to her in the clinic. 

The first day that she tested out a jog in the clinic wasn't easy and certainly didn’t feel natural like it used to, but she continued to press on and add more running to her daily activities. Between playing tennis, hiking, and run/walking, she is more active than ever!!

Congrats to Doinks on her hard work and her return to something she truly loves: Running!

- Dr. Taylor Payne, DPT

In Doink’s Own Words…

1) List Three Words to Describe You:

Resilient, Stubborn, and Relaxed.

2)  What Brought You Into Physical Therapy?

I came over for my lower back pain which healed in a few sessions, so then I decided to stay and finally deal with my right knee pain that sidelined me from running for the last 2.5 years

3) How would you describe physical therapy?

I am an advocate for PT for any body pain. It is a long term treatment that gets you stronger and better because you uncover the source of the pain and don’t just mask it. A stronger body is necessary as I get older to maintain my balance and agility so I can continue to enjoy walks, runs and tennis while also being able to simply do daily life activities with ease.

4)  What exercise or technique helped you most?

The Graston Technique always works for me, and I wish I could do it with my bread knife...lol!  All the pain seems to go away when Dr. Payne uses this technique on me. More importantly, all the exercises from clam shells, leg raises, TRX, squats (with what felt like a 40 lb kettle bell), glute bridges and a host of other strengthening exercises have slowly brought back normal motion on my right leg. 

I went to PT last year but the pandemic prevented me from continuing with my therapy. I actually gave up on going back to running. My lower back pain (which probably stemmed from my right knee pain) brought me back to Iron PT and it lead me to revisiting my right knee therapy. My initial goal was just to be able to do chores with no pain and help me with my daily walking. But Dr Payne said I could probably go back to running if I diligently did my therapy exercises.  I was not optimistic but thought if I could just walk normally then mission accomplished. 

I was sooo happy with my progress - simple things as going up and down the step bench easily and being able to run every 200 meters on the track gave me soo much hope and encouragement!  I can see and feel my progress and wish I could stay longer with Iron PT.  I will definitely continue my PT exercises even after I graduate.

5)  What would you say to someone who is living in pain and putting off physical therapy?

Pain medication is the easy way out, but it does not solve the root cause of the pain. The pain will come back or result in a more serious injury in the future. Get to the bottom of it and get stronger!

I have been a patient of Iron PT since they opened in 2011 when I came in for a sprained ankle, when I was just starting to take on running. Since then, I have never sprained my ankle again and picked up long distance running.

6) What are you excited to get back to after physical therapy?

Just moving with normal strides, walking around the house to do chores with ease, playing tennis with no knee brace or tape and being more explosive with my movement…and most importantly running!!! I may not be able to run a marathon anymore (but who knows) but I am looking forward to running a 5k on Nov 14, I mean actually running it...perhaps run/walk...but not walk the entire course. It is still a work in progress as I get my knee even stronger to support me in my senior age in the next 15 -20 years :-)

6) What did you enjoy most about the physical therapy experience?

The lovely smiles and faces that greet me every Monday and Wednesday morning, Dr. Payne's enthusiasm and wondering what pair of shoes she will have on for that day, and the change up in my exercises to adapt to the change in my strength every session.