From Pain to Victory: Real Stories of Chronic Pain Overcome

Why Stories Matter

Chronic pain is not a fringe issue. According to the Spine & Pain Institute Los Angeles, an estimated 40% of Americans live with it. That figure translates into millions of people whose daily lives are shadowed by persistent pain, often without a clear path to relief. This immense scale speaks to a critical need for effective, accessible, and compassionate care.

The California Pain Institute: A Foundation for Victory

The California Pain Institute (CPI) was built to meet this need by blending the latest interventional treatments with a deeply patient-first philosophy. Dr. Rebecca Kerr, a board-certified pain medicine specialist, leads a team that prioritizes a comprehensive diagnosis before recommending a plan. As the institute’s website states, its mission is diagnosing and managing chronic pain conditions, aiming to restore comfort and function. This mission is realized through a wide array of cutting-edge options—from epidural steroid injections and radiofrequency ablation to advanced neuromodulation like spinal cord stimulation and regenerative therapies such as platelet-rich plasma. By starting with conservative, evidence-based treatments and escalating only when necessary, CPI creates a personalized roadmap for each individual, turning the concept of recovery from an abstract hope into a tangible plan.

Five Faces of Victory

What does “victory” over chronic pain actually look like? It is rarely a single dramatic event. Often, it is a series of small but profound shifts in function, mindset, and daily life. The stories below, drawn from reputable institutions and patient experiences, illustrate the many forms this victory can take.

• Tracie’s Opioid-Free Life: At just 19, Tracie was dependent on opioids after multiple surgeries for a brain tumor. Through a multidisciplinary, non-narcotic program at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital, she became completely opioid-free within a year, returning to school and friendships. Her story shows that even severe, medication-dependent pain can be overcome with the right comprehensive plan.

• Emily’s Return to Running: Emily Baddorf was wheelchair-bound for years due to Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS). After a permanent intrathecal pain pump and later a spinal cord stimulator at Cleveland Clinic, she went on to run two half-marathons. Her journey demonstrates that advanced neuromodulation can restore not just mobility, but an active lifestyle.

• Megan’s Roadmap for Living: At 45, Megan H. lived with a cluster of conditions including scoliosis and degenerative disc disease. After a four-week interdisciplinary program at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, she learned that movement was the key, not the enemy. She now has a personalized flare-up plan and actively participates in family events, proving that integrated care provides a reset and a roadmap for daily life.

• Peggy’s Simple, Effective Fix: Retired nurse practitioner Peggy Guin suffered severe back pain after a car accident. A minimally invasive radiofrequency ablation (RFA) at UF Health provided about 80% relief, allowing her to return to gardening and walking five miles each morning. Her story highlights that a targeted, intermediate option can be a life-changer.

• Beth’s Coping Plan: For 18 years, Beth Thorp has managed widespread pain with a personal “Coping Plan” that combines medication, movement, distraction, and support groups. She emphasizes that “attitude is everything,” showing that victory can also mean developing powerful self-management tools to live well alongside pain.

Two Surprising Frameworks

To better understand the path to victory, it helps to know two key facts that often surprise newcomers to the world of pain management.

These facts and stories are not just data points; they are proof that chronic pain, however overwhelming, can be addressed and managed. The California Pain Institute is dedicated to guiding patients through this journey, one personalized victory at a time.

A Quarter‑Century of Courage – Michele Rice’s 25‑Year Narrative

How did Michele Rice’s 25‑year journey begin?

ReadMichele Rice’s 25‑year chronic‑pain story chronicles two decades of living with chronic pain in a compelling blog post and companion video, published by the U.S. Pain Foundation on September 21, 2025. The narrative, titled “25 Years, Still Standing: My Story of Pain and Perseverance,” offers a raw, personal account of the struggles and small victories that define long-term pain management.

What daily changes did pain force on her?

Learn how chronic pain reshapes daily life, Michele explains, can strip away daily routines and freedoms. Over the years, she was forced to develop new coping strategies—summoning courage, creativity, and determination to find alternative ways to navigate life. Simple tasks became monumental challenges, requiring constant adaptation and mental resilience.

Why is a support network so important?

The story underscores the critical role of family, friends, and the broader pain-community. They provide encouragement, hope, and a sense that the journey is not traveled alone. This network becomes a lifeline, offering both practical and emotional support that helps sustain progress.

What is the purpose of sharing her story?

Michele’s purpose is clear: to honor perseverance, celebrate adaptation, and inspire others facing similar battles. By turning her personal hardship into a rallying cry, she aims to help fellow chronic-pain sufferers recognize their own strength and voice. The U.S. Pain Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to serving those living with chronic pain, hosts the content, providing a reputable platform for this message of resilience. They can be contacted at 800‑910‑2462 or contact@uspainfoundation.org.

When Movement Becomes Medicine – Megan H.’s Interdisciplinary Reset

What Happens When Simple Tasks Feel Like a Battle?

Megan H., now 45, lives with a cascade of chronic conditions: scoliosis, degenerative disc disease (including herniated discs and spinal stenosis), sciatica, radiculitis, migraines, chronic fatigue, and severe irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). For years, everyday actions—leaning to put in contact lenses, reaching for a towel, brushing her hair, or even sneezing—triggered significant pain. She learned early, as a high‑school athlete with shin splints, to “ice, ibuprofen and push through” the pain, a mindset that shaped her response for decades. By her 20s and 30s, pain flare‑ups were so frequent they interrupted major life events: her daughter’s birthday party, the third trimester of her pregnancy (requiring partial bed‑rest), and a three‑day work off‑site where she could barely get out of bed. She adopted a “freeze” strategy, withdrew from activities, and experienced anxiety, depression, brain fog, and fatigue.

Why Did Fragmentary Specialty Care Fail?

Megan consulted a wide array of specialists—orthopedists, rheumatologists, neurologists, mental‑health providers, gastroenterologists, physical therapists, and chiropractors. Yet none provided lasting relief because care was fragmented. Each specialist treated a single piece of the puzzle, but no one saw the whole picture. Her multiple chronic conditions continued to trigger and exacerbate each other, leaving her stuck in a cycle of pain and isolation.

How Did a Team‑Based Model Unlock a Different Outcome?

In her early 40s, Megan discovered the Pain Management Center at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, an interdisciplinary clinic that unites medical doctors, psychologists, physical therapists, and occupational therapists in a coordinated team. Here, the model is “active treatment”: patients participate in multiple daily therapy sessions and learn self‑management tools rather than relying solely on injections, medications, or surgery. During a four‑week program, Megan engaged in more movement than she had in the previous six months. Physical therapy—gentle stretching and nerve‑glide exercises—restored sensation in her left arm, fingers, leg, and foot. Specialized pelvic‑floor physical therapy addressed two decades of lower‑back stiffness and IBS‑triggered pelvic pain. Occupational therapy focused on body and sleep mechanics, standing and sitting tolerance, pacing strategies, and safe movement activities such as chair yoga, tai chi, and water aerobics. A pain psychologist taught relaxation and mindfulness techniques, and the group setting reduced her feelings of isolation, guilt, and shame.

What Can the California Pain Institute and Others Learn?

Megan describes the program as a “reset and a roadmap for living with chronic pain.” She no longer freezes during flare‑ups; instead, she follows a curated flare‑up plan and uses pacing strategies. She can now participate in activities she once avoided—her daughter’s volleyball tournaments, her son’s band parade, and chair‑dancing at concerts. For the first time in her adult life, she feels safe in her body and has ownership of her quality of life. Her story illustrates a critical lesson: a coordinated, movement‑first, interdisciplinary plan can transform a “freeze” response into purposeful, active living.

Key Therapy Elements in Megan’s Recovery

Targeted Nerve‑Block and Neuromodulation Successes – Lessons From UAMS

Arlene Margolis’s Path: From Eight Years of Knee Pain to a CRPS Diagnosis and Relief

After multiple knee‑replacement surgeries, Arlene Margolis, a 70‑year‑old retired teacher, endured eight years of debilitating knee pain. Chiropractic, acupuncture, and massage offered no lasting relief. At UAMS, she was finally diagnosed with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS), a rare condition considered the most painful chronic disease. The turning point was a six‑week series of targeted nerve‑block injections. This treatment numbed the pain, reduced swelling and warmth, and ultimately eliminated her knee pain, allowing her to walk, dress, and put on shoes without discomfort.

Joyce Williamson’s Victory: Spinal Cord Stimulation for CRPS

Joyce Williamson’s journey began after wrist surgery in 2016 triggered CRPS. She suffered constant, burning, bone‑crushing pain rated at 8‑9/10 for 18 months. At UAMS, Dr. Christopher Paul successfully implanted a spinal cord stimulator after a trial. The device reduced her pain to a 1‑2/10 level, eliminated four pain medications, and enabled her to return to work and play with her grandchildren. This case shows how neuromodulation can transform lives for patients with severe, refractory CRPS.

UAMS’s Multidisciplinary Protocol and Escalation to Advanced Therapies

UAMS’s success stems from a multidisciplinary protocol that combines orthopaedic surgery input, physical therapy, nerve‑pain medications, and injection therapy to help patients tolerate rehabilitation. For severe CRPS cases, the clinic offers neuromodulation therapies such as spinal cord stimulation and dorsal root ganglion stimulation, which function like a nerve pacemaker to alter diseased pain signals. This step‑wise, evidence‑based approach ensures patients are not left without options.

California Pain Institute’s Neuromodulation Suite: An Evidence‑Based Ladder

California Pain Institute’s growing neuromodulation suite mirrors this proven escalation model. The clinic offers spinal cord stimulation, peripheral nerve stimulation, and other advanced therapies. By starting with conservative care and moving to more interventional treatments as needed, CPI helps patients regain function and reduce opioid reliance, just as UAMS has done for its most complex cases.

Minimally Invasive Wins – From Radiofrequency Ablation to Regenerative Care

Peggy’s Comeback: How Radiofrequency Ablation Restored an Active Life

Peggy Guin, a retired nurse practitioner at UF Health, suffered severe osteoporosis and, after a 2017 car crash, a lower-back fracture caused excruciating facet-joint pain. She tried numerous conservative therapies—medication, acupuncture, massage, chiropractic care, and yoga—without lasting relief. Dr. Rene Przkora identified the source of her pain and performed an outpatient radiofrequency ablation (RFA). This procedure uses tiny needle electrodes to numb and heat the nerves supplying her facet joints, effectively “stunning” them for months. After just two RFA treatments, spaced one year apart, Peggy reports about 80% pain relief. She now walks up to five miles each morning, tends her garden, and cares for her three cats. The procedure involves no implants, no major surgery, and can be repeated when pain returns, preserving future treatment options.

Catherine’s Strategy: Steroid Injections, Pilates, and Pain Psychology

For seven years, Catherine Buntaine has managed sacroiliitis (inflammation of her sacroiliac joint) with periodic steroid injections that provide 3–4 months of relief. Yet her victory over pain extends far beyond the needle. As described by Dr. Antje Barreveld at the Newton-Wellesley Hospital Pain & Spine Center, Catherine’s comprehensive plan includes floor Pilates to strengthen the pelvic girdle, healthy eating and weight management, and online cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) with psychologist Elyse Rubin Rosenberg. Understanding that an overactive fight-or-flight response can generate real pain signals, Catherine shifted from a sedentary, medication-dependent lifestyle to an active one. She no longer experiences the “pain-driven shrinkage” she once felt, proving that even without a cure, a multi-layer approach can restore a full, vibrant life.

Voices from California Spine & Pain Institute: Personalized, Regenerative Care

Patient testimonials at the California Spine & Pain Institute consistently highlight the listening-first commitment of Dr. Magued Fadly. Melanie B. says, “He is the only Dr who had actually helped with my back pain… he listens to you and doesn’t rush you out the door.” Jane C. credits him with finding the root cause of her pain and improving her quality of life, while Carolyn T. praises his cost-conscious, friendly care. Beyond the bedside manner, the institute offers regenerative therapies like stem cell and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections. These options, which use the body’s own healing mechanisms, appeal to patients seeking to avoid surgery or long-term medication. By blending RFA, targeted injections, and biologics, Dr. Fadly provides a spectrum of needle-based relief suited to individual needs.

How CPI Can Blend RFA, Targeted Injections, and Regenerative Therapies

A clinic like the California Pain Institute (CPI) can offer patients a true “toolbox” of minimally invasive options. For example, a patient with chronic back pain might first try epidural steroid injections to reduce inflammation. If that fails, a radiofrequency ablation could target the specific nerve fibers causing pain. For joint or tendon issues, PRP or stem cell therapy might promote tissue healing without surgery. Finally, peripheral nerve blocks can provide temporary relief while the patient builds strength through physical therapy. By sequencing these techniques—and pairing them with behavioral or movement therapies—CPI can help patients avoid opioids and major operations, offering a personalized path from chronic pain to a functional, active life.

Mindset, Metrics and the 4 A’s – Turning Everyday Coping Into Clinical Victory

Beth Thorp’s Five-Tool Coping Plan: A Real-World Strategy After 18 Years of Pain

For 18 years, Beth Thorp has managed multi-site pain with a practical strategy she calls her “Coping Plan.” This plan combines medication with five non-pharmacologic tools: movement and low‑impact exercise, changing her scenery, distraction (reading, knitting), participating in a support group, and strictly pacing her daily activities. Beth emphasizes that even a simple change of position or a short walk can reduce pain intensity, while distraction is one of her most effective techniques for shifting focus away from discomfort. Her experience shows that a structured, multimodal approach can keep a person functional and engaged, even when pain persists.

Pathways Stories: Daily Mantras, Acceptance, and Yoga as Tools

Patient stories from the Pathways program demonstrate how mindset and consistent habits can reshape the pain experience. Annie, living with Crohn’s disease, never became pain‑free but refused to let pain dominate her life. Her daily effort to get dressed, apply makeup, and smile served as a form of victory. Jim, a nurse with chronic back pain, initially avoided help due to shame, but after therapy and shifting from a victim mindset to an empowered one, he found progress. Jennifer, diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis at 23, relies on daily yoga and walking to maintain mobility. She notes that missing a day makes her “stiffen up worse than the Tin Man,” highlighting how consistent movement can be a pivotal self‑management tool.

The 4 A’s of Chronic Pain Management: A Practical Checklist for Every Visit

The 4 A’s—Analgesia, Activities of daily living, Adverse events, and Aberrant drug‑taking behaviors—provide clinicians with a structured framework to evaluate a patient’s progress. At every follow‑up visit, providers assess whether pain relief (Analgesia) is adequate, how pain affects daily function (Activities), what side effects or complications are present (Adverse events), and whether there are any signs of medication misuse (Aberrant drug‑taking). This checklist ensures that treatment is optimized for benefit while minimizing harm, and it supports individualized, safe, and effective long‑term pain management.

Quick Fact: The World’s Most Painful Conditions

According to U.S. News rankings, kidney stones are considered the most painful medical condition in the world, followed by childbirth, trauma, shingles, trigeminal neuralgia, post‑surgery pain, and back injury. While pain is subjective, these conditions can cause excruciating, debilitating pain that pushes beyond the typical 1–10 scale. The good news is that even these severe pains can be mitigated with a comprehensive, evidence‑based pain management framework. Seeking care from a specialized clinic like the California Pain Institute can provide the tools and support needed to turn everyday suffering into a manageable, and even victorious, experience.

Your Own Victory Starts Here

Your journey from pain to victory can start today.

Watch Michele Rice’s video on perseverance, then subscribe to the CPI newsletter for updates on treatments like RFA, spinal‑cord stimulation, stem‑cell/PRP, and multidisciplinary rehab.

At every visit, CPI’s team tracks the four A’s—analgesia, activity, adverse effects, and aberrant behavior—ensuring relief without unnecessary risk.

Please share your own story. Your experience could help our next article showcase another pathway from pain to triumph.