Today we shine the ProHealth Spotlight on PT and Pilates client, Tracie Lofgren.  

Hi Tracie, thanks for letting us shine the ProHealth client spotlight on you this week.  How and when did you begin at ProHealth?

I began my relationship with Karyn and ProHealth 4 years ago as a Pilates client.  I was looking to improve my general health and core fitness.  I’d been experiencing weakness in my left leg and was buckling with increasing frequency. 

What got you first interested in Pilates and/or Physical Therapy? 

As it turned out, the weakness in my left leg was caused by cysts in my spinal cord which in turn caused severe cord compression.  After spinal surgery, I had virtually no use of my left leg and was in need of a walker. 

Once again to Karyn and ProHealth, this time for physical therapy to rehabilitate from my surgery and re-establish the neural connections of my brain to my body.

 What have been surprising benefits coming to ProHealth?

Rehabilitating from an incomplete spinal cord injury is complex.  There’s a need to maintain as much strength as possible even though the communication between brain and body is damaged.  I needed to establish new neural pathways for that mind – body connection.  It’s a painful, frustrating and long journey.  Karyn is an equal part coach, drill sergeant, therapist and friend.  It’s truly a rare and unique set of attributes.

There is no doubt in my mind that my rehabilitation would have been less successful without her.  I absolutely owe her and the ProHealth staff my ability to put one foot in front of the other today.  I truly believe I will walk without that walker one day.  And it will be due in large part to Karyn and the ProHealth team. 

The anthropologist Margaret Mead said that the first sign of civilization in an ancient culture was a femur (thighbone) that had been broken then healed. Mead explained that in the animal kingdom, if you break your leg, you die. You cannot run from danger, get to the river for a drink or hunt food. No animal survives a broken leg long enough for the bone to heal.

A broken femur that has healed is proof that someone has taken time to stay with the person who has fallen, has bound up the wound, has carried the person to safety and has tended the person through recovery. ‘Helping someone through difficulty is where civilization starts’ said Mead. Margaret Mead would be in awe of the extent to which “civilization” is role modeled by those who bring their professional gifts to the clients of ProHealth.  

Favorite piece of Pilates apparatus and why?

I enjoy all of the different apparatus at ProHealth. Currently, the Cadillac /Reformer is a new favorite.  It’s easy to mount and I can safely work on many structures of my body.  It’s efficient and effective. 

What’s a Pilates/ Physical Therapy goal you have?

My focus is pointed on three things:  1) build upper body strength to lessen the fatigue from the walker; 2) work on my core to ensure I maintain an erect posture while using the walker and for when it is no longer needed and 3) regaining the ability to walk without using the walker.  

If you were talking to a friend who was on the fence about trying ProHealth, what would you tell them?

There is no better place to maintain good health or to rehabilitate from an injury.  The entire staff is highly proficient to achieve any outcome important to you.  They are compassionate, smart, and professional.

Join Tracie and several others who’ve had life changing experiences at ProHealth Pilates and Physical Therapy in Peachtree City, GA.  Visit us today to schedule your first appointment.