![New Help for Aching Backs](https://magarticles.magzter.com/articles/5844/425727/5e74cafc7d2d4/New-Help-for-Aching-Backs.jpg)
After Marty Huggins fractured her lower back four years ago, she says she spent “two years lying on a fuzzy brown sofa in our family room. I was afraid I would hurt my back if I moved even a little.” The pain forced the 65-year-old from Stafford, Virginia, to retire from her job as a physical education teacher and competitive jump rope coach, and she stopped going to the gym completely. But despite countless visits to specialists, who performed tons of tests, gave her dozens of steroid shots, and regularly offered her opioid pain relievers, nothing helped.
What did it take for Huggins to finally tame her pain? She changed her brain.
She started by researching pain management programs and ultimately found the Chronic Pain Rehabilitation Program at the Cleveland Clinic, which was near the home of one of her daughters. Huggins enrolled in several classes on how the brain and body interact. She learned how to relax with mindfulness meditation and to tame her fear and anxiety about her back pain with cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). She also discovered the importance of good sleep and overcame her hesitation to start exercising again. Huggins even began taking an antidepressant, not because she was clinically depressed but because the medication helped turn down the volume on the pain messages sizzling through her nervous system.
“Now I hike Shenandoah Mountain. I go boating and fishing on the Potomac River with my husband and our grandchildren,” she says. “You really can calm your body down and change your brain to lessen the pain. I’ve never spent another whole day on that sofa!”
This story is from the April 2020 edition of Reader's Digest US.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the April 2020 edition of Reader's Digest US.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
![A Race Well-Limped](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5844/1745970/T8RkK9Gcn1719481474947/A-RACE-WELLLIMPED.jpg)
A Race Well-Limped
A reluctant runner's key to keeping high spirits? Low expectations.
![Won't You Be Our Neighbor?](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5844/1745970/Zp_mismZm1719481373319/WONT-YOU-BE-OUR-NEIGHBOR.jpg)
Won't You Be Our Neighbor?
These folks do Mr. Rogers proud
![Band of Survivors](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5844/1745970/CD7TzLLde1719481263209/BAND-OF-SURVIVORS.jpg)
Band of Survivors
Armed with his drum kit, a Holocaust survivor fights antisemitism one musical note at a time
![UMM...WHERE'S MY POOL?](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5844/1745970/LGmq8Eqx81719481055853/UMMWHERES-MY-POOL.jpg)
UMM...WHERE'S MY POOL?
All I wanted was some summer fun. What I got instead was a harsh lesson in the rip-off potential of payment apps.
![Let's Say Yes!](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5844/1745970/r-yiRvYBH1719480896594/LETS-SAY-YES.jpg)
Let's Say Yes!
What started out as a way to get my son to try new foods opened up a world of adventure for my family
![A GRIZZLY ENCOUNTER](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5844/1745970/Aiixqbbdx1719480764804/A-GRIZZLY-ENCOUNTER.jpg)
A GRIZZLY ENCOUNTER
The bear had its jaws clamped on his friend. There was only one thing to do: tackle.
![13 THINGS Go for Gold at the Olympics](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5844/1745970/qihTUTMYi1719480641800/13-THINGS-GO-FOR-GOLD-AT-THE-OLYMPICS.jpg)
13 THINGS Go for Gold at the Olympics
THE 2024 Summer Olympic Games kick off July 26 in the host city of Paris, though several of the 41 event venues are located elsewhere in France.
![STOP THE RIDE!](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5844/1745970/JLf-NrtYo1719480429765/STOP-THE-RIDE.jpg)
STOP THE RIDE!
AMUSEMENT PARKS ARE MEANT TO THRILL. BUT OFTEN THEY JUST MAKE US SICK. ONE INTREPID RIDER IS ON A QUEST TO FIND OUT WHY SHE'S ALWAYS LOSING HER LUNCH.
![Raise A GLASS!](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5844/1745970/QvYvrto0W1719480281536/RAISE-A-GLASS.jpg)
Raise A GLASS!
FAVORITE DRINKS FROM EVERY STATE
![A Race Well-Limped](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5844/1744761/3nMZ8kyw91719393367071/A-RACE-WELLLIMPED.jpg)
A Race Well-Limped
A reluctant runner's key to keeping high spirits? Low expectations.