Jeremy
Your program has helped me so much. I believe the vast majority of FAI patients should probably be doing your program instead of the doctor -prescribed treatments for FAI syndrome.
This experience has blown my mind, because I grew up believing I should always trust my doctor. Perhaps financial incentives are to blame for why so many orthopedic doctors prescribe surgery for so many patients who simply need to work on their soft tissues in order to heal.
Erica G.
I am 30 years old and for my entire adult life I have been physically active without experiencing any injuries. In May of 2020 I noticed some discomfort in my right hip and had it checked out by a chiropractor who told me to drink more water and stretch. The discomfort turned into pain so I decided to see an Orthopedist and was diagnosed with bilateral hip dysplasia and a labrum tear in my right hip. I was told by one of the most renowned Orthopedic surgeons that I should never do any high impact workouts again (i.e. dance cardio, lunges, squats, running, uphill hikes, etc). This news was heart wrenching and almost unbelievable but I wanted to take the necessary steps to heal and be pain free. The Orthopedist said I had two options, the first was to have a PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma) injection in my right hip to help reduce the pain from the labral tear and if that was unsuccessful my next option would be surgery. I went with option one and in July I had the PRP injection. Unfortunately, it was not successful and my pain worsened. My entire lifestyle changed, I had pain in my hip every single day and by evening I would be limping. In November I had a really bad flare up and couldn't walk without the assistance of a cane. I spent my Thanksgiving break in bed crying and researching surgery options. The only option is PAO (Periacetabular Osteotomy), an extensive surgery that involves cutting the bones and repositioning them with screws. After hours of research I could not accept that this was my only option and that is when I stumbled across an Upright Health testimonial. I began to research Matt and his team, I watched their YouTube videos and read every testimonial I could find. At the time I did wonder if Matt's approach was too good to be true but I knew I had nothing to lose. I started working with Matt in December 2020 and I told him my goal was to be able to run and play with my 3 year old nephew. It is now early March 2021 and I recently told Matt during one of our sessions that I spent an evening jumping on a trampoline, playing t-ball and soccer with my nephew (pain free!!!). Also, I am able to do a better squat and lunge than before my injury. There are not enough words to express my gratitude for Matt and his team. If anyone reading this is contemplating what their next move should be I hope my story encourages you to work with Upright Health.
Adam
CEO of Quora.com
A friend referred me to Upright Health because my left shoulder was in a constant spasm and the fingers of my left hand were going numb. MRIs had indicated I had cervical spine pathology, and three different doctors I consulted with expected that surgery would be the only solution and there was not much else I could do…
...In the first session with Matt, there was an obvious improvement in my hand and neck symptoms. After a month or two I was feeling very good and no longer suffered the distraction of pain and numbness during my busy workdays.
Kristie C.
(I'm reviewing Matt for his amazing pain management/training.)Context:- Me: 2 bunionectomies (one on each foot), 1 PCL/ACL tear, 1 knee scope. - My workout routine: 5x a week on my own- My training: In the past 6 years, I've had about 10 physical therapists across New York, Atlanta and California and probably 5 trainers. NO one has been able to get immediate results like Matt has. Matt's fortes:- Muscle knowledge, especially how it all works together -- functionally, and individually (knowing that each person's muscle/nerves/etc. are unique)- Specific trial and error to find which exercises help/are neutral for your pain- Targeted muscle work/exercises- Exercises you can bring home and do on your own- Realistic goals/needsPT helped, but Matt adds a very functional element for pain management and strength. I recently went back for a maintenance session and while he's a bit more expensive - I can't emphasize enough, "you get what you pay for" and Matt's cream of the crop.
Skye D.
When I found out that I had FAI and was given surgery as my only option to fix my hips, I looked for an alternative. I found the FAI Fix. After following the program for about two to three weeks, my hip mobility increased while my crunchy hip pain steadily went down. The FAI Fix program really opened my eyes to how important strengthening the muscles around the hip joint is, specifically the glutes.
Strengthening the glutes has been every bit magical for minimizing my hip pain. My problems were the classic pinching feeling on the front of my hips when I flexed. It hurt to stretch in a pike position, and I couldn’t sit comfortably in yoga child’s pose with my knees together without a lot of pain. I was told that I needed surgery. The doctor told me that it wasn’t an immediate need, but that it was inevitable as the pain would only get worse and inhibit me from doing all the wonderful active things that I wanted to do. My hips are holding up pretty well, and we’re 8 months since I was told everything was just going to get worse and that I’d need surgery. Now I can sit in a pike stretch comfortably and even child’s pose with knees together. I no longer have pinching in my left hip during flexion.
I get slight pinching in the right, but the pain is far less than what it used to be. It is fantastic. I still can get discomfort, but it’s not anything that really deters my activity level. Because of less hip pain, I have been able to focus better on my flexibility and have definitely seen a wonderful increase in it. I just need to do things to maintain my hip health! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
Tommy McKeown
Caroline
Internal Medicine Physician
I was lucky that my friend encouraged me to check your website when I developed pain in my hip. I bought Healthy Hips 1 and am feeling better just 3 days into the program. I am so so grateful that you do this work. It is fabulous. I am so impressed with the way you teach the exercises, the format of the online book, and also the psychological approach/pearls helped me a lot as I was starting to despair. As an internal medicine physician, I knew just enough to have doomed myself to eventual surgery but not nearly enough to know what I had done to myself or how to approach healing it. Bottom line: thank you!
Mariana R.
I first saw Matt in September 2016 for several pain and discomfort issues concerning both hips, my right shoulder and toe. It's been five months since I started seeing him and my hips are much better, my shoulder issue is controlled, and even my toe has improved.About 8 years ago, I started having discomfort in my right hip joint. It was a gradual worsening, to where in 2014 I couldn't walk without feeling a clicking or snapping sensation while walking for even just a few steps. My orthopedist (Dr. Elly LaRoque) gave me an rx for PT, which I did for several months. The PT recommended I get a trainer to continue strengthening. In early 2016, I went back to the doctor because I found that the hip wasn't any better after working with a trainer. It was actually worse, and my left frontal hip area was in pain whenever there was any kind of squatting motion. I was referred to a hip specialist, who ordered an MR arthrogram. The imaging didn't show anything worrisome to the hip specialist, and he gave me another rx for PT. Dr. LaRoque suggested I get another opinion, so I did. That doctor reviewed the MR arthrogram and x-rays and recommended bilateral arthroscopy, because he felt that I had delaminated acetabular articular cartilage, which he would code as hip impingement. I only had x-rays of my left hip, but he said that he would do surgery on that one at the same time, because I likely had the same problem there. He also told me that I had "two different hips" and that there would be no way that I could improve with anything other than surgery. Bone would have to be shaved down, and cartilage would have to be sewn into place. Either do it soon, or do it later. Either way I would want to have it done, he said. This didn't feel right, but in the meantime I started seeing a PT at CPMC. I saw her a few times, with little improvement. Finally, I saw a THIRD hip specialist at UCSF. His suggestions made no sense to me: A cortisone injection. If the injection improved it, surgery would be warranted. There was no evidence in inflammation, only discomfort and loss of functionality while walking. I'm not a surgeon, but this guy didn't know what he was talking about or didn't listen to what I said.At this point, I was beyond confused and discouraged and did the only rational thing anyone would do: Search for help on YouTube! I found a video of Matt discussing hip impingement (FAI) in several videos, and saw that he had a special interest in this diagnosis. When I saw that Matt was local, I made an appointment. Within TWO WEEKS my right hip (the one that was bothering me for 8 years!) was under control. I could walk for much longer distances without feeling any discomfort. I also felt like my posture and gait were improving. My left hip area has been more difficult to fix. I started taking adult ballet classes last summer, and would feel pain ever time we would have to do a grand plié (a deep, turned out ballet squat). Well, last week I was able to do it for the first time without any pain.I also have a long history with my right shoulder. In 2002 I woke up one morning in excruciating pain and I couldn't lift my arm. The doctor I saw for it told me nothing would fix my bursitis and thought PT would be a waste of time. He injected it with cortisone, which helped. Over the next decade, my shoulder didn't improve. Resting it completely didn't make the pain stay away, and some exercises also seemed to aggravate it. Over the next few years, I saw FOUR PTs, many doctors, had another injection and did more x-rays and MRIs. While the last couple PTs made great strides, the pain would eventually come back. I couldn't keep up with the exercises, which would take at least an hour a day to do. When I consulted Matt about my shoulder, he gave me a set of exercises for it that take less than 10 minutes a day. As long as I do the exercises, my shoulder stays happy.Additionally, I have a stiff and sometimes painful MTP joint. I've also had plantar fasciitis two years ago. Matt gave me two simple stretches to improve it, and the hip work we have done makes me feel really confident that I will not get PF again. I also started wearing regular shoes without my orthotics in them, which is something I was afraid to do for the last couple years. My arches feel fine now--no more numbness when I get out of bed.I really appreciate the simplicity and efficiency of Upright Health. Appointments and payment can be made online. Emails are quickly responded to. Appointments go straight into my calendar app. My updated exercise plans are emailed to me promptly with links to videos of Matt/Josh demonstrating and explaining the exercise. This is great, because every PT I've been to just gives a list and expects you to remember how to do them, or a really crappy set of pictures. Doing the exercises incorrectly wastes time or can even make the problem worse. I hope this review will help someone. Don't give up!
Kyle
I’m only 23 but I’ve struggled with Thoracic Outlet syndrome for the last 4 years – constant neck, shoulder, back, elbow discomfort and tingling all the way down my arm into my hand.
I couldn’t weight lift, which I desperately wanted to do. I went to orthopedic doctors, chiropractors, sports performance specialists, and not only did nothing work, these professionals could not diagnose the issue.
Then I met with one of the top “thoracic outlet syndrome specialists” in the country and was diagnosed with TOS. After only meeting with me one time, I became a candidate for surgery, with the option of removing two muscles in my upper chest and neck, as well as one of my ribs.
I immediately went online and searched “alternative treatment for Thoracic Outlet Syndrome” and that’s where I came across Upright Health.
I found the Shoulder Fix program and immediately bought it and started that night. It was the best money I’ve ever spent.
I swear to god I felt better after the first session. The rest is history – I’m lifting again without shoulder/neck discomfort or tingling.
I was confused as to why I was not given this option when I saw the TOS specialist so I called and told them about my success without the surgery, but they didn’t want to hear it.
Maybe that has something to do with the fact that they’re making hundreds of thousands of dollars off these surgeries.
Upright Health does what the traditional medical model does not – treating the root cause of conditions with lifestyle changes.
Upright Health empowered me to heal my body by working in alignment with my natural musculoskeletal system without risky drugs or surgery – and for that, I am grateful.
Suzanne W.
“Thank you for your APT exercises. I am an active 75 yr old lady. Have had APT for many, many years. The last 2-3 years it has developed to more severe pain in my lower back, with a lot of arthritis that prevents me from doing my own yard work, and mowing.
I usually stand up most of the day, but after dinner when sitting down in the recliner, or even riding in a car, I am not able to stand up straight or walk until I stretch. I have been going to a chiropractor once a week for several years for adjustments, but this feels like I am wasting my time and money.
I found your site on YouTube and listened to your own struggles with your APT. I have been faithfully doing some of your exercises for the last week and have experienced significant relief in my back pain. I understand that this problem will probably not be eliminated at my age, but I have found HOPE with your exercises of being able to continue my love of an active lifestyle at my age.
Thank you, thank you, thank you for posting your exercises!”
Dorothy S.
For several years I have been working on my hunchback with two massage therapists. However, I was not making much progress so I looked online and discovered Upright Health. Immediately, I signed up to work on my hunchback and their exercises have taken me to almost getting my neck to come up from my chest instead of outward from it in about 6 months. I find their exercises are effective, easy to do and their feedback excellent. My two massage therapists are totally surprised by my progress and I am also but it is because these guys know what they are doing. Find out for yourself.
Laura
Thanks SO much! The Healthy Hips program is helping tremendously, even after just one week. The first YouTube video I watched - "Why Sudden Sharp Pain in Hips Comes and Goes" is what got me started. I felt immediate relief after doing the 2 workouts in that video. I did a few other workouts from your YouTube posts, then ordered the Healthy Hips 1 & 2 programs. 4 months ago I could barely walk - started with nagging lower back pain, then intense knee pain, then pain from my hip to my knees to my ankle. Then intense pain in my groin when squatting, bending over or going to sit down. I was in tears and screaming in pain every day. Felt like I was walking on a broken leg. I didn't do anything for about 2 months, thinking I had a back injury causing sciatica. That didn't work - it just got worse. Then went to a chiropractor/physical therapist. Surprisingly, he thought it could be muscles from the start. But he also got thrown off track with the pain just below my knee, thinking it could be a spine issue. I made appointments with knee specialists, spine specialists and hip specialists in Durango, CO - but ended up cancelling all of the appointments due to snow storms (Durango is an hour's drive away and treacherous if roads are icy). Glad I didn't waste time with those appointments. Going to continue with your programs. Can't believe the progress I've made in just one week! Wish I would have found your site 4 months ago - could have been able to ski this winter instead of limping around the house. thank you thank you thank you!
Tamara D.
Hi. I've just started your Back Pain Fix program!
Thanks for all you do and for sharing your knowledge... I've had chronic back pain for ten years, and because of you, I'm already getting up and down the stairs more easily.
Your advice and lessons have defied what numerous medical specialists have told me over the years. In fact, 8 years ago, I was told that I would be in pain forever and take pain pills for the rest of my life. I didn't accept that.
I used to be a runner, and today I did my first day of Couch to 5K again.
Thanks so much.
Carina M.
I had debilitating neck pain for about 8 years. I tried heat, ice, rest, stretching, massage, and chiropractors. Most of those did nothing or worse; the chiropractor could relieve the worst symptoms, but never for very long. It would always come back, often within days. I was never pain-free, and some days I could barely move. I had x-rays and MRIs, which showed osteophytes and herniated discs. Then in 2014 I went to Matt at Upright Health and he started me on some light back and shoulder work, gradually upping the weights and resistance and moving into full-body workouts. Within six weeks my pain was greatly reduced, and within six months my visits to the chiropractor had dwindled from weekly to very rare. I take no painkillers and I've never had surgery; by keeping up the exercises I learned at Upright, neck pain is no longer an issue. The herniated discs and bone growth don't matter. It's not because I learned to tolerate pain; I'm still a big wuss that way. I just need to keep up a basic level of balanced strength to offset the ways in which I was producing this pain. Matt was able to pinpoint the exact weaknesses I needed to fix, and the rest flowed naturally from that. Also, I got stronger, which is a nice bonus!Eventually I switched to training with Chris, then when Covid hit we started meeting over Skype. Although I think there are benefits to meeting in person, given today's risks I highly recommend video training with Upright. Everyone there has experience working with people remotely. If you're tried everything else for your muscle or joint pain, don't give up. The solution to your problem might surprise you. I know this is a cliche but Upright Health absolutely changed my life.
Daniel M.
Their program works! Thank you so much for what you do. I went from being told I needed to have surgery for my hip impingement last September to 2 months of doing just the first part of the program and I'm 95% pain free. I went from only being able to do 1.5 mile flat ground walks to where I just did a 9.5 mile hike with close to 1000 feet of elevation. Drastic improvement without having to get sliced up!!! Thank you!
Jason P.
Paramedic
I am 45 and I am 60+ pounds overweight. As a seasoned paramedic I know just enough about the healthcare system to be very skeptical and enough about kinesiology to be dangerous. I got one X-ray and was told to book an appointment with surgeon to discuss my “options.” I was beyond depressed as I started to prepare my fat body for intubation and invasive surgery. I was in a dark place man... I found your youtube video on squats with a resistance band. While laughing, I tried it…I did 5 reps and my hip pain improved by 25%...Yeah 25%! I bought Healthy Hip 1, and I am working through it, and IT IS CHANGING MY LIFE! I went from needing a cane and walking less than 1000 steps per day to standing at my desk most of the day and 3-5000 steps at a time. I was taking 2000 mg of Motrin every day to get through it. I have not taken anything for pain in WEEKS. In fact now when I’m in pain it’s a trigger to do the workouts. My hips barely hurt while walking. Now they are tight when I have ben sitting too long. Every time I think about the change this has made in my life I nearly cry. Since finding your program and eliminating almost all of my hip pain I have taken on a small workout routine and have committed to losing 50 pounds this year. I have lost 18 so far!
Sylvia S.
I had amazing results working with Matt in person. But I also have had equally amazing results with the online programs. Last July, I was working on lifting heavy at the gym. After one workout, I had bilateral lateral knee pain and left sided lateral hip to knee pain. I thought it would "just go away", but it didn't. I sought out several local treatments (massage, chiropractic, ART), and tried Pilates. Nothing helped. I was limping. I had trouble just going up one step and people at work started noticing.
I bought the Back Pain Fix on a Black Friday sale... I did it faithfully every day - even after 12 hour shifts. Within 2 weeks, the pain and dysfunction were 75% gone. Two weeks later, I was and remain pain-free...