 It's crazy how one moment can significantly change your life. One of those moments happened to me back in 2015 after I was part of a pretty serious car accident. I was 12 weeks pregnant. Immediately following the car accident, the pain started in my lower back and shot right down to my leg. I couldn't stand for long periods of time. Everything was a task and cause of your pain. After the birth of my son, I was in so much pain that I found it difficult to hold him for long periods of time. I went to several pain management doctors for four years and tried everything from injections to branch blocks, but nothing seemed to work. Eventually, I gave up. But then in 2020, I started working at JFK Johnson Rehabilitation Institute and met the Center for Sports Inspiring Team here. Dr. Van Dean listened to all my pain issues, thoroughly examined me, and identified the main source of pain that no other doctors were able to locate. I think when Dana presented to the office, I think the primary thing that we wanted to do was really focus on what she was complaining of. And that was going to guide the treatment plan. There's two things that patients benefit from. One is really listening to their story and listening to what they've gone through and what they experienced day to day. And then the second part of that is giving time to educate the patient because that's power for the patient. So we have the opportunity here to actually spend time with the patient, discuss what's going on, make sure they leave understanding what's going on because then they have the power to make decisions for themselves with regard to their treatment plan. After seeing Dr. Van Dean and improved amazingly, I'm able to stand for longer periods of time, sit for longer periods of time. I was able to teach my five-year-old how to ride his bike. I'm able to bake cakes that I enjoyed doing before. I'm basically back to a basic life. The care that I received here was amazing. The doctors are all amazing. They all listened. They gave many ideas. We tried many things. And eventually we hit the spot on the one. I think the greatest thing we can do for patients is listen to them. I think far too often physicians are chasing images as opposed to what the patient is actually telling you. So it's extremely important for us to really just listen to what the patient has to say because ultimately at the end of the day that's going to guide the care that they need to receive.