As many of you know, I’ve been living with and dealing with a range of injuries in my body. I’ve got herniated discs in my neck, unidentified issues in my lower back, knee pain, wrist pain, and shoulder pain. These are the major injuries, but on any given day, I can experience ankle pain, other knee pain, finger or toe discomfort, elbow pain, and so on.
Over the years, I’ve worked with various physical therapists, doctors, and alternative medicine practitioners. However, none of them managed to fully resolve my pains or injuries. It’s been a combination of my body healing itself and me adapting to live with the pain.
Then came Open Mat Physio, a physical therapy team focused on Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, aiming to get you back on the mats. I’ve spent about six months working with them, under the guidance of Diana Wang, and in terms of progress and results, this team has given me the most improvement. I’m not 100% healed, but I’m functional and much better than when I started.
In all fairness to other therapists, this was the first time I stuck with a physical therapy regimen for six months without faltering or quitting. Every workout was meticulously tracked and monitored, from reps to weight. There was strong accountability and constant communication from Diana whenever I had questions. This approach to physical therapy played a significant role in the progress I’ve experienced with them.
My lower back is now pain-free, as long as I stick to the prescribed exercises at least three times a week, although I typically do them four times or more now that I’m back to training on my own. If I miss the workouts, the pain returns. MRIs didn’t show any lower back disc issues, so I have no clear diagnosis there. Nevertheless, I’d prefer to avoid surgery if possible. So, the workouts help, and that’s what I’m focusing on.
I’ve taken the lessons provided by Diana and incorporated them into my workout routines. For instance, last week, I went a bit heavy on a lift. Instead of pushing through like I used to, I scaled the weight down and kept going. In a few weeks, I’ll work my way back up to that weight. There’s nothing to prove, and I’m looking for long-term results. I wish I had known this when I was younger; it might have helped me avoid some of these issues.
My main reason for reaching out to Diana was to address my neck pain. It can be incredibly debilitating, and as I mentioned earlier, I’m trying to avoid surgery. Despite our best efforts, my neck pain is still present, and we haven’t been able to completely eliminate it. However, the frequency of flare-ups and the intensity of the pain have improved. I work with my doctor to manage the lingering pain in a way that fits my health needs and avoids unnecessary side effects from medications like opioids, steroids, or other NSAIDs.
My time working with Diana at Open Mat Physio has been productive, and I’ve learned lessons that I’ll continue to apply in my life. I feel a bit down about losing the dedicated support, but that’s how it goes. I was laid off and I don’t have unlimited funds, so at some point, I needed to continue on my own. I just landed a new job, so maybe I can work something out going forward. I do value her coaching greatly.
As I mentioned before, I’m not completely healed, but I’m in a much better place and significantly stronger than when I started. I’m gradually reintroducing weightlifting into my routine, and I’ve reduced the number of times I need to take medication. I’ve even stopped using supportive items like ankle wraps because I don’t need them as often.
Diana will be the first to tell you that she can’t miraculously fix you. You might never be 100% again, but she believes that if you put in the work and stay consistent, you can improve and reduce your pain. I am living proof of that. Progress, not perfection.
Open Mat Physio is dedicated to grapplers like me, but whether you’re into grappling or not, they can be a helpful resource if you have an injury. Their approach to physical therapy encourages consistency and commitment, which I found valuable. I highly recommend reaching out to Diana at Open Mat Physio.
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