I Was Told I'd Never Run Again
How three back surgeries didn't end my story—and why recurring back pain isn't always just about the back.
I still remember hearing those words.
"You'll probably never run again."
After multiple back surgeries, including a failed spinal fusion, it sounded reasonable.
Running seemed like something that belonged in my past.
Honestly, I believed it.
For years I approached my back as though it was permanently broken.
If I wanted less pain, I thought the answer had to be protecting my spine.
So I focused almost entirely on my back.
Physical therapy.
Chiropractic care.
Massage.
Injections.
Accupuncture.
Imaging.
Strengthening.
I wasn't wrong to try those things.
Many of them helped.
But something still didn't make sense.
My pain wasn't consistent.
Some days I felt surprisingly good.
Other days I could barely figure out why my back had flared up.
Nothing had changed on my MRI.
Nothing structural had suddenly gotten worse.
So why did my body feel so different from one week to the next?
That question changed everything.
I started looking beyond my spine.
Instead of only asking,
"What's wrong with my back?"
I started asking,
"What else could be influencing how my body feels?"
Over time I noticed patterns.
Certain foods seemed to trigger symptoms.
Poor sleep made recovery harder.
Stress affected how my body handled pain.
Blood sugar swings left me feeling worse.
Little by little, I began addressing those pieces—not because they changed my spinal history, but because they influenced how my body functioned.
My MRI didn't change.
I still have herniated discs.
I still have surgical changes.
I still have the same history.
But I experience far fewer flare-ups than I used to.
Today I strength train.
I compete in triathlons.
I've completed half marathons.
I travel.
I hike.
And I live with far less pain than I once imagined possible.
My story isn't everyone's story.
I'm not saying everyone with back pain has the same answers.
I'm not saying nutrition replaces medical care.
I'm simply saying that recurring back pain isn't always just about the back.
Sometimes there are overlooked factors influencing how you feel that deserve attention, too.
What if you're missing part of the puzzle?
If your back pain keeps coming back and you've been told everything looks "normal"—or you've tried everything you can think of—it may be time to start asking different questions.
That's exactly why I created my free guide:
7 Hidden Reasons Your Back Pain Keeps Flaring Up (Even When You're Doing Everything "Right")
It may help you discover a few places to start looking.
If this resonates with you, follow along on Instagram at @alera_functional_health where I share more root-cause health and inflammation support strategies.
You can also get a copy of my guide: 7 Hidden Reasons Your Back Pain Keeps Flaring Up (Even When You’re Doing Everything “Right”).
If you’d like a personalized plan that fits your life and helps you feel your best, I’m here to help. Interested in learning more about how you can optimize your health and finally find relief from your symptoms? Schedule a free Discovery Call with me by clicking here.
About The Author
Erin Briley is a Certified Functional Nutrition Coach who helps individuals understand their bodies and pursue sustainable, root-cause healing. She guides clients in making sense of their symptoms and identifying the deeper factors influencing their health. Her own recovery from chronic pain through functional nutrition strengthened her belief in the power of personalized lifestyle changes. As a mom of three in competitive travel sports, she focuses on simple, realistic habits that help people boost energy, improve digestion, reduce inflammation, and feel confident in their ability to thrive.
