I don’t remember a time that my back didn’t hurt. I was 6 years old and told my mother that my back was hurting. She remembers the story better and tells me that she took me to see my pediatrician. You know the one Dr. that see you from the time you are born until you go off to college. He looked at my back and told my mom he thought I had scoliosis. He said he thought it would be a good idea to have a back doctor take a look at me. This started my journey that would eventually lead me to becoming a physical therapist.

My scoliosis progressed and resulted in me wearing back brace at the age of 10. It was called a Boston back brace and covered the entire length of my trunk, to be wore 23 hours a day. Every 3 months my mother and I would come to Knoxville to the scoliosis clinic. I would have X-rays, see the orthopedic doctor and have my brace checked. I would also see a physical therapist that taught me exercises. I have a distinct memory of thinking, “that seems like a fun job”. I must have been 10 years old and felt something stirring in me about what later would be my calling in life.

My mom was the one that encouraged me during that time. She helped me to see my brace as something helpful and useful.  She would tell me, “ if you don’t act different, your friends won’t treat you different.” She made our trips to Knoxville fun and helped me to see the silver lining in something hard. She was also the one to encourage me towards a physical therapy career.

Fast forward 42 years (now I’m telling my age) but my scoliosis still impacts me every day. I still have scoliosis, but never had surgery. The knowledge and experience I have as a therapist helps me to take care of my back. I exercise regularly with the some of the same exercises that I teach my patient’s.

I have empathy because of my own pain but most importantly, scoliosis was what lead me to my passion and calling. I am still passionate about helping others and see physical therapy as my calling. I am still able to see the silver lining…. thanks mom

Sandy Daniels PT, cert-MDT
Kramer Physical Therapy

Photo by Jairo Alzate