Movin' & Groovin' Move Plus Physical Therapy

Keeping up with Katey McGuckin-Woolam, 66, can be exhausting. She never slows down. The former Kansas City radio personality (KY 102 and Oldies 95) owns her own media training business. She travels, gardens and helps her husband on construction projects around the house.

In fact, Katey’s constant energy makes it easy to forget she’s battled debilitating back pain for the better part of 30 years.

“I started out as a choreographer out of college,” Katey recalled. “When you’re in musical theater as a profession, if you don’t dance, you don’t work, and you don’t get paid. I spent a lot of time dancing on cement floors, and that’s how I probably injured myself. At the time, I just thought I’d move through it.”

Katey’s early back problems seemed to go away when shifted her career focus to radio. Yet, they resurfaced after Katey gave birth to her two sons. “I just had back pain all the time,” she remembered.

Out of Options

From physical therapy to electrical stimulation, to muscle relaxers, cortisone shots, new mattresses and mattress toppers, Katey tried everything to soothe her pain. Relief was temporary, if it came at all.

Last year, the pain got so bad it stopped Katey in her tracks. “My quality of life was as low as it could get,” she said. “I couldn’t garden, and I love to garden. If I cleaned house for two hours, I’d have to lie down with an ice pack for the rest of the day. I just wanted to vacuum without pain.”

Katey felt frustrated, angry and hopeless. “My back hurt all the time,” she shared. “Every morning, before I opened my eyes, I wondered how bad the pain would be. It affected everything I did, including my attitude toward my customers, my business and the people I worked with. It affected my relationships with my family and friends.”

Something Different

After three rounds of cortisone shots didn’t help, Katey’s pain management doctor referred her to NKCH’s Move Plus Physical Therapy Clinic.

“Move Plus is different from regular PT because it combines strength and movement-based activities with the latest pain and neuroscience research and education,” said Angie Neperurd, PTA, a physical therapy assistant who coaches people through the program. “It’s for people with chronic neck, back or joint pain, including fibromyalgia.”

Katey was skeptical. “I’ll admit I rolled my eyes when my doctor suggested it,” she said, laughing. “The first week, I had an attitude. I thought I was a back pain expert because I’d experienced it for so long. After a couple of weeks, I realized I didn’t know diddly squat.”

Katey struggled the first week, which included an evaluation of her current range of motion, exercise and classroom instruction. “I didn’t like the exercises,” Katey said. “They hurt. But Angie told me it was because I was using muscles I had been protecting for years.”

Katey kept going back, and each week she felt a little better. “One morning, during the fourth week, I realized I had gotten out of bed and dressed without hurting,” she recalled. “I felt good. By week eight, I could bend over and put my hands flat on the floor.”

Katey’s unwillingness to give up was a key to her success. “Katey came every day, even when it was tough and she was hurting, and she didn’t want to be there,” Neperud said. “She did what we asked, both in class and at home. By the end of the program, she had improved significantly.”

Graduating from the Move Plus program doesn’t mean the end of stretches and exercises. There’s a lifetime of homework. “If you want to change your life, you have to make this a lifetime decision,” Katey advised. “I carry the book from class everywhere I go. When I travel, I’ll get up at 5:30 a.m. to stretch and move, especially when I know I’m going to be walking all day. When I’m in the office, I get up and move every 15 minutes.”

The Biggest Gift

Aside from improved daily function, the biggest gift Katey received from the Move Plus program was knowledge. “The program uses a book that explains the science behind the pain,” she said. “I learned about nerve endings and why my body hurt. I realized that stress and mood changes can show up in the form of back pain. Most importantly, I learned the cure is movement, stretching and blood flow.

“Move Plus works,” Katey added. “It won’t take your pain away completely, but it will make your life a lot better. It’s a life-changing program. I feel joyful again.”

Katey’s Tips for Success

“The program only gives you the path,” Katey said. “Feeling better is up to you.”

• Accept that movement is medicine
• Be prepared to make permanent changes
• Do what the coaches tell you to do in class and at home
• Follow the book step-by-step; don’t skip ahead
• Put your all into every session

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