Finding Hope and Healing:
Dr. Gladys’ Journey with Medical Massage
For most of her life, Dr. Gladys Ortiz, a professional Christian counselor, lived with constant lower back pain. The discomfort began when she was young and gradually became something she believed she would have to endure forever. Despite years of therapy and even trying acupuncture, lasting relief always seemed out of reach.
Dr. Gladys’ journey took a tougher turn after an accident — a driver ran a stop sign and hit her head-on. The crash left her with lingering pain in her neck, shoulders, and lower back.
For a long time, Dr. Gladys didn’t notice how much her pain had changed the way she moved. It wasn’t until recently that she began to see clear signs of the problem.
“You know, I’ve noticed that I don’t walk straight, and ever since I’ve been coming here, I’ve been more mindful of my posture, okay? So probably if I haven’t been here, I probably wouldn’t be walking the way I walk today, you know? You know how I noticed that my posture is not straight? In my pictures, when I take pictures with people. So coming here, straightening my body and my muscles have made me aware of my posture a lot.”
Here’s a YouTube Video that you can watch encompassing all the contents below and for demonstration purposes:
Finding Real Help at Empowerment Physical Therapy
Over the past year, Dr. Gladys has been receiving medical massage therapy at the clinic and the difference has been remarkable. Each visit leaves her feeling lighter, stronger, and more at ease than before. “I feel better when I leave here,” she says with a smile. “I’m addicted to Empowerment Physical Therapy.”
Through her sessions at Empowerment Physical Therapy, she found relief using the spinal decompression machine, which helps ease pressure and tension in the spine. “That upside-down machine has been very helpful,” she said. “I always feel relief when I leave.”
A Different Kind of Massage Experience
Having tried many types of massages before — from hot stone therapy to relaxation treatments — Dr. Gladys Ortiz thought she already knew what to expect. But her first medical massage at Empowerment Physical Therapy changed her perspective completely.
“My first experience was great,” she recalled. “I’ve been to other massages — stone therapy, deep tissue, all that — but this one felt different. From the start, she asked me questions like, ‘Which areas do you want me to work on?’ That’s important. The communication between the masseuse and the client really matters.”
Dr. Gladys shared that her therapist not only listened but also paid close attention to her body’s response throughout the session. “She touches the areas in your muscles that are very tender and sometimes very tense,” she said. “It’s really amazing how she knows exactly where the problem is.”
Each visit leaves her feeling looser, lighter, and more at peace. “When you leave here,” she said, “you leave like a brand-new person.”
Losing Independence, Regaining Strength
Before her treatment, Dr. Gladys had to give up many of the activities that brought her joy. “I love dancing salsa, merengue, bachata but I haven’t been able to in a long time,” she said. “Kyle promised me that by the time I finish therapy, I’ll be dancing again. And I believe him.”
She also misses gardening, something she describes as her personal therapy. “I love working in my garden; it’s very calming,” she shared. “But I haven’t been able to do it for almost two years.”
Even simple things, like cleaning her home or carrying groceries, became difficult. “I’m a very independent person,” she said. “So having to pay someone to do my housework or help with my groceries, that’s hard for me. I like keeping things neat and doing them myself.”
Each session at Empowerment Physical Therapy brings her closer to reclaiming those parts of her life one dance, one garden day, one step at a time.
When asked how it feels to struggle with everyday things she once did easily, Dr. Gladys shared, “It makes me feel very uncomfortable. It makes me feel that I have to be dependent on other people, and being that I’ve always been so independent, it really makes me feel that I’m not myself. That’s a feeling that most people who have been independent want to kind of keep — that mobile and active lifestyle — and continue to do so, correct?”
Her honesty reflects what many people living with chronic pain experience — the challenge of wanting to stay active and independent while their body holds them back.
Small Changes, Big Difference
One of the biggest benefits Dr. Gladys noticed from her medical massage sessions is how deeply they help her rest. She shared that after her appointments with Dr. Lin, she finally sleeps through the night, something she’s struggled with for years, “when I come to the medical massage, I sleep very well that night. I sleep like a baby,” she said. “That’s the best part of it, because I usually have trouble sleeping. But on the days I come in, it’s a soothing day and a soothing night.”
For Anyone Living With Pain
For Dr. Gladys, finding Empowerment Physical Therapy meant finding herself again. What once felt like a lifelong struggle is now a story of healing and hope. If you’ve been living with chronic pain, muscle tension, or limited mobility, know that you don’t have to accept it as your “normal.” Medical massage therapy can help relieve pain, improve posture, and restore your quality of life — just as it did for Dr. Gladys.
If pain or tension is keeping you from the things you love, don’t wait. Book your session at Empowerment Physical Therapy and take the first step toward feeling better — one visit at a time.
Need Professional Help with Your Recovery?
If you’re recovering from an injury and want personalized guidance from experts, our team at Empowerment Physical Therapy in Yonkers, NY is here to help!
Ready to take control of your back pain? Contact Empowerment Physical Therapy today for a personalized consultation and discover how our expert team can help you live pain-free. Schedule your appointment now and start your journey to a stronger, healthier back!
