Kickboxing Becky: The pain was so bad I considered amputation
YOUNG MUM REVEALS ALL ABOUT TOUGHEST OPPONENT
HER world fell apart when former world champion kickboxer Becky Thompson had to ditch her sport after injuring her leg.
In so much pain, she even contemplated having the limb amputated as she faced a cocktail of medication and dozens of hospital visits in a bid to cope.
On painkillers and undergoing lumbar injections, she was told her muscles were wasting away and to basically accept how she was.
Prone to falling due to her leg not being stable, Becky was at her wits’ end.
And for more than four years the 30-year-old endured the pain with the next step being a spinal stimulator.
But after teaming up with specialist body-worker Adam Foster, who has given her mental and physical support, she is now back to kickboxing and doing what she does best.
“It was the worst time of my life,” said mum-of-two Becky, of Burnhope, County Durham. “I was in so much plain I kept saying I wanted my leg off. I even asked a doctor if I could have it amputated but he said I would still have the pain.
“My life stopped. My daughter was only 12 months at the time and I had to put her in full-time childcare because I couldn’t run around after her.
“I lost out on being able to play with my two children, doing nice things with my husband and I wasn’t able to move forward with my business. It was horrendous.”
Becky’s nightmare started when she was 25 after slipping on a wet floor.
She had always been fit and active, even winning the bronze medal in the women’s World Kickboxing Championships in Cyprus when she was just 16, her life stopped.
“I suffered a ligament injury after slipping on a wet floor and just thought it would heal but as time went on it just got worse. I tried absolutely everything but it wasn’t getting better,” added Becky, who is married to Dale and has children Mia, five, and James, nine.
“After another MRI scan, they said this is how you have to live and were trying to pain manage me. But
Adam had worked with my mum and so I thought I would give him a try.
“After eight weeks of a very intense programme I have gained my confidence in my leg and I’m building up the strength in it. I was frightened to use it because it would give way but now I’m constantly improving and I’m able to exercise and walk better.
“I’ve just returned to kickboxing classes and being able to put my uniform on and stand with others in the class is brilliant. I’ve now got my life back.”
Becky, who struggled to manage her business Bee Beautiful Beauty and Tanning Salon in Ushermoor, County Durham, added: “My business couldn’t grow because I was in constant pain and was struggling but now I’m at work and we’ve just been nominated for the finals in the North East Beauty Awards. Life is good now.”
Adam, set up his business, called The Fibro Guy, based at The Town Mission in Lower Rudyerd Street, North Shields, North Tyneside.
The 29-year-old, who works with fibromyalgia, CFS/ME, hypermobility and associated syndromes relating to chronic pain and fatigue, was involved in an IED blast when serving in the Army in Afghanistan in 2009.
Back on civvy street, GPs deemed he had spinal scar tissue, causing him chronic pain. After research, he decided to set up his own training programme to help relieve his agony.
Adam is now helping others to reduce their discomfort through his movement based programme in conjunction with current pain science and Rebecca has done wonders under Adam’s guidance.
Adam said: “Four years ago keen kickboxer Rebecca had a fall whilst out shopping and ended up in pain after a ligament injury.
“After the initial injury healed the pain persisted and after countless interventions from various hospitals with medications and lumbar injections, she was told her muscles were wasting away and to basically accept how she was.
“The next stop suggestion was a spinal stimulator. Rebecca even started to contemplate getting the leg amputated.
“Later, Rebecca was diagnosed with chronic regional pain syndrome and slowly the leg became worse, so much so that it started giving away underneath her, causing her to have many falls. Rebecca was told this was due to her hypermobility.
“Then she came to see me and fast forward eight weeks later, Rebecca has zero pain in the leg, is on zero medication and her leg is fully stabilised, allowing her to take part in high impact activities once again.
“Rebecca’s next stop – back to a kickboxing class, the first time in four years.”
For more information visit www. thefibroguy.com
I tried absolutely everything but it wasn’t getting better...I just thought it would heal but it got worse