‘I was terrified I’d end up in a wheelchair’

Janet Kempson, 61, from Walsall, explains how she overcame debilitating back pain.

‘Working long shifts at a supermarket, I was used to being on my feet all day. But after slipping and falling, I developed back pain – and it got progressively worse. Even standing was agony; I couldn’t sleep because of the sharp, biting pain in my lower back as well as numbness and tingling down my legs. I was terrified I would end up in a wheelchair.

‘GP investigations and an MRI scan just highlighted “expected” wear and tear for my age. I felt like no one was listening or taking my pain seriously and I was worried I’d have to give up my job. I couldn’t even put on my socks.

‘In early 2020, during the pandemic, I came across the Back in Shape program. After online consultations and investigations, my osteopath, Michael, diagnosed me with grade 2 spondylolisthesis (one of my vertebra had slipped forward) and designed a daily exercise regime to strengthen my back muscles to increase stability. ‘I followed his online sessions, taking things slowly and feeling reassured by the online guidance. Every week the pain lessened and eight months later the spondylolisthesis was downgraded to grade 1. I’m practically pain-free now and have resumed my “old” life. I love going to yoga and body pump classes, using a variety of weights. I can’t wait to fly to Japan to visit my son – something I couldn’t contemplate before. I have my life back and I’m determined to enjoy it.’

Back in Shape membership from £9.60 a week (backinshapeprogram.com)

‘No one was taking my pain seriously and I was worried I’d have to give up my job’