Get Back To It

NSHF CEO, Dr. Rita Roy, sits down with Spinal Champion, Nancy Finch. Nancy is an 83 year-old former reporter, lobbyist, and public relations practitioner from Richmond, Virginia who experienced painful scoliosis that inhibited her ability to stand, walk, and even eat normally for years. Luckily, she found a treatment that worked for her despite worries that she wasn't eligible for surgery due...

In the first ‘Get Back To It’ podcast episode of 2022, our CEO, Dr. Rita Roy, sits down with Vivian Manning-Schaffel –a successful freelance writer and journalist. Aside from her writing career, Vivian is a mother, wife, and a Spinal Champion. Vivian’s story speaks to the challenges of having multiple spine surgeries and managing her own patient expectations of recovery. Tune in to hear Vivian’s r...

National Spine Health Foundation CEO, Dr. Rita Roy,  narrates the story of Nancy K., a Spinal Champion who experienced painful arthritis of the neck. A sixty-three year old woman who had been having significant problems, off and on, for fifteen years, Nancy's symptoms stemmed from a teenage car accident. Take a stretch break and tune in to hear how Nancy experienced healing and recovery. Supp...

Introducing 'Get Back To It' Minis! These are short stories of hope in 5-minutes or less to be enjoyed in quick breaks from the rhythms of your day. Hopefully, this gets you moving whether in the office, at home, or on-the-go! James McKnight had been a union electrician for 42 years at the time of his spinal injury, enjoying his work on The Golden Gate Bridge. At 60 years old he had expe...

National Spine Health Foundation CEO, Dr. Rita Roy, sits down with Spinal Champion, Tim Heller, to discuss his story of healing and recovery that involved a career pivot at a young age. Starting in 2010 after years of playing sports, dancing, and doing musical theater, Tim woke up one morning unable to move due to his pain. Listen on to hear about Tim's journey to diagnosis, treatment, and he...

We're celebrating scoliosis warriors this Scoliosis Awareness month! National Spine Health Foundation CEO, Dr. Rita Roy, sits down with Spinal Champion Advocate, Ella T. Ella wore a scoliosis brace throughout middle school for 20 hours a day and was just cleared to stop wearing her brace (in time for the summer and starting high school!) As a young student, there were many things that Ella ha...

National Spine Health Foundation CEO, Dr. Rita Roy, sits down with Spinal Champion,  Abigail B. to discuss her journey to spinal health. At a young age, Abigail experienced painful symptoms from degenerative disc disease that led to multiple surgeries and prevented her from doing the activities she loved. She was committed to her pain free life in seeking treatment diligently and this resulted in...

CEO, Dr. Rita Roy, sits down with Spinal Champion, Abby W., to discuss her long journey to healing after a car accident. Abby, who had a 39 year career teaching kindergarten,  underwent multiple spine surgeries and treatments before finding  her current pain-free life. Abby also underwent a weight loss journey and today loves the active lifestyle she is able to live. Tune in to hear Abby W.'s...

  National Spine Health Foundation CEO, Dr. Rita Roy, sits down with a Spinal Champion, Susan G., and her yoga instructor, Sytera Field of SyteraYoga. Susan was able to 'get her life back' with all nonsurgical treatments after experiencing debilitating back spasms and pain. Sytera Field understands pain and debilitation, and therefore creates a gentle atmosphere at her studio that focuse...

In the first episode of the second season of the 'Get Back To It' podcast, National Spine Health Foundation CEO, Dr. Rita Roy, sits down with Spinal Champion®, Roni T., to discuss her long journey seeking coccyx (tailbone) treatment. Her condition was unusual and debilitating, but through resilience, Roni was able to get back to the people and activities she loves. Whether you're a...

In the final 'Get Back To It' podcast episode of 2020, Spinal Champion, Rafael R., sits down with our CEO, Dr. Rita Roy, to discuss how he intentionally trained prior to having spine surgery. As a long-time athlete, Rafael had an attitude of resilience that carried him not only through his own surgery and journey back to the things he loved doing (including running half-marathons!), but...

In our November episode of the 'Get Back To It' podcast, National Spine Health Foundation CEO, Dr. Rita Roy, sits down with Spinal Champion, Ellen B., to discuss her multiple surgeries. Ellen knew she was interested in a specific artificial disc surgery, but ran into problems with insurance and regulations. She found hope when one surgeon was able to provide her with the treatment she fe...

When Spinal Champion and 2020 Chair of our We've Got Your Back Gala, Jennifer Marron, was diagnosed with scoliosis, she was told she'd need to wear a back brace for 23 hours a day. Our CEO,  Dr. Rita Roy, sits down with Jennifer to discuss how, at 14 years old,  Jennifer didn't let scoliosis stop her dreams of competing in team sports. Little did she know she'd end up competing...

Did you know that September is Pain Awareness Month? Our CEO, Dr. Rita Roy, sat down with Rebecca Gillett--one of our friends and collaborators over at the Arthritis Foundation. Rebecca lives with Rheumatoid Arthritis and is also a Spinal Champion. She's championed multiple surgeries in order to fight for the pain-free and active lifestyle she has. As they like to say over at the Arthritis Fo...

This episode is a serious one. Spinal Champion, Jane, experienced a heartbreaking third trimester loss of pregnancy that resulted in devastating effects on her physical as well as mental health. Knowing she wanted to be pregnant again, Jane sought non-surgical treatment through physical therapy for her back pain and ultimately found hope. Dr. Rita Roy sits down with Jane to discuss her real story...

Dr. Mary Wykle, a #spinalchampion herself, sits down with Dr. Rita Roy to discuss her personal story of healing and recovery and her involvement as an aquatic therapy and fitness instructor for the U.S. military and others. As one of the authors of the CDC's position paper on swimming during the pandemic, Dr. Wykle also shares her perspective on how to use swimming for exercise safely during...

Dr. Mary Wykle, a #spinalchampion herself, sits down with Dr. Rita Roy to discuss her personal story of healing and recovery and her involvement as an aquatic therapy and fitness instructor for the U.S. military and others. As one of the authors of the CDC's position paper on swimming during the pandemic, Dr. Wykle also shares her perspective on how to use swimming for exercise safely during...

At the National Spine Health Foundation, we believe that one of the best things you can do for your spine is to keep moving. What would you think if we told you that with proper technique and highly specialized professional supervision, weight lifting could not only reverse bone loss but lead to new bone growth? Dr. Rita Roy sits down with Dr. Belinda Beck to discuss her groundbreaking research wi...

June is National Scoliosis Awareness Month and we had the opportunity to sit down with young woman who went from a youth scoliosis patient to a scoliosis advocate over the course of a few years. Spinal Champion, Sydnee, shares her story of navigating scoliosis during middle school, learning discipline through committing to her treatment, and using her passion for photography to make a positive imp...

Did you know that May is National Osteoporosis Month? In this episode, Dr. Rita Roy sits down with Dr. Avery Jackson of Michigan Neurological Institute, P.C. and his patient Jocelyn F.  to learn how Jocelyn was able to get back to her retirement. A highly successful neurosurgeon and ambassador for the National Osteoporosis Foundation, Dr. Jackson also shares practical tips for preventing and treat...

In this episode of the Get Back To It podcast, Dr. Rita Roy sits down with spinal expert, Dr. Thomas Schuler, to discuss the negative impacts that poor training techniques can have on adolescent athletes. Dr. Schuler is Founder and CEO of Virginia Spine Institute in Reston, Virginia. He also serves as President of the Board for the National Spine Health Foundation. Tune in to hear his expert story...

In our second episode of the Get Back To It podast, Dr. Rita Roy sits down with retired NFL linebacker, Roger "Rocky" McIntosh, to discuss the fast-acting ways he sought treatment for his herniated disc that got him back into the game. Support the show

In the very first episode of the Get Back To It podcast, Spinal Champion Dan C. sits down with our CEO, Dr. Rita Roy, to discuss his journey from surgery to summit.  Support the show