Woman Overcomes Chronic Back Pain Before Wedding
Two years ago, Samantha Valencia was just months away from her wedding when her chronic back pain flared up once again. The 31-year-old yoga studio owner from Brooklyn had made all the arrangements for her destination wedding in California, but an all-too-familiar sensation returned at the worst possible time.
“I was preparing to get married, so I was hitting all the classes and going to the gym with my friend,” she recalled. “But I was lifting too much and not allowing myself sufficient recovery time, which made my old injury resurface.”
Valencia had been living with the repercussions of a broken pelvis, two fractured vertebrae, and two fractured ribs for over a decade. “It was like I literally took a breakdance,” she remarked, reflecting on the severity of her injury.
Throughout her professional development, which included enrolling in college, Valencia faced ongoing challenges with her health. “There was this movement—I had to put all my weight on one arm, kind of like a one-arm handstand. I lost my balance, landed on my chest, and flailed my legs, thinking, ‘I must have broken something.’”
Her fears were confirmed after visits to multiple hospitals in Connecticut, where doctors told her she’d sustained several injuries. “They told me, ‘You’re done,’ which effectively ended my dance career… but occasionally, the pain would flare up.”
Fast forward to 2023, as her wedding day approached, the pain returned, and Valencia felt anxious about finding a solution. She explored numerous remedies: physical therapy, acupuncture, stretching, and more. Even after trying her grandmother’s muscle relaxers, she found little relief.
That’s when she discovered Sioban Peterson, a cryotherapy specialist in Brooklyn. “I was scrolling on social media when I saw one of Sioban’s posts about localized cryotherapy for a runner with knee pain,” Valencia said. “I thought, ‘You’re my last hope. Can you help my back?’” Peterson’s response was encouraging, promising to explore solutions together.
Peterson reflects on the moment, noting she had treated family and friends before and had confidence in the efficacy of localized cryotherapy. “When Sam came to see me, I felt pretty optimistic about what we could accomplish.”
She explained to Valencia that she would need to follow a strict protocol, committing to biweekly sessions. “Honestly, that sounded better than the potential surgery options I was facing,” Valencia said, relieved at finding another route.
Peterson described how localized cryotherapy is designed for conditions like Valencia’s. “It effectively targets pain sources while minimizing inflammation,” she explained, emphasizing its benefits over surgery or reliance on painkillers.
This treatment targets specific areas, such as the back or shoulders, rather than using a whole-body cryotherapy chamber. The cold rapidly reduces inflammation, increases circulation, and promotes healing by expanding blood vessels.
Valencia quickly became a believer in the treatment. After suffering from a meniscus tear, she skipped traditional physical therapy in favor of cryotherapy sessions. “After six weeks of treatment and a few basic rehab exercises, I was feeling great,” she mentioned.
Peterson has seen similar outcomes before, recalling a former athlete who found relief from chronic back pain through localized cryotherapy. Their sessions began twice a week and have since tapered to once monthly.
What started with just one localized cryotherapy machine has expanded into a full wellness club offering various treatments and services. “It’s incredible to see the improvement,” Peterson said, appreciating the growth of her practice.
As for Valencia, she successfully made it to her wedding without pain, able to enjoy every moment, from walking down the aisle to celebrating with family and friends.
