I found surfing in my 20's and early 30's as a way to rehab my own injuries, hang out with friends, check out from stress, and as a great excuse to travel. My connection to the ocean grew stronger through surfing, and became part of my identity.
Here's What Happened..
I got more involved with my career as a physical therapist when I started my practice in 2013. I began to realize that helping surfer's stay in the water longer in life was having profound affects on their overall mental and physical health... way above and beyond the injury they were coming to see me for.
Then came 3 back surgeries..
One day while working an extra shift at a skilled nursing facility,I was transferring a patient from his bed to chair. My patient lost continence, I slipped in poo, re-injuring the a disc in my back I'd had surgery on 4 years prior. Before I knew it, I was out of work, unable to do the activities I loved, having trouble with my marriage, and realizing that without surfing or the ability to work, I didn't even know who I was anymore.
To make things more challenging, I found myself battling an ugly work- comp case, trying to get my medical care and a second back surgery covered. When neither my insurance or the work comp would pay for care, I made the choice to seek out a doctor in Panama. Even though I had to pay out of pocket for injections and a surgery, and leave the country for a while, it was worth it just to get back on track, get the care that I needed, close the work comp case, and move on.
Within 5 months of the surgery in Panama, the very disc I had repaired re-herniated whilst sneezing, and I found myself unable to walk without excruciating pain. The end result was going through with a lumbar fusion in the United States.
I realized I needed to heal from much more than 'just' a back-injury
I was healing from burnout, a lack of boundaries between my work and life balance, a decade of financial stress and more...
I slowly worked through the layers of physical, mental, and spiritual components of my injury. I found yoga. I taught yoga. I discovered my inner me again, and have never felt stronger.
My healing journey showed me that I can help my clients heal with tools beyond physical therapy. I can use yoga, coaching, surf and nature based therapies alongside traditional physical therapy to help you find your inner strength and shine your most brilliant light.
Thanks For Being Here:
Here's a few things I'd like to share based on this whole crazy experience:
Shane's Professional Bio:
As a healthcare provider, I am committed to helping people stay active in their sport of choice throughout one’s lifespan. Realizing that activities around the water and outdoors provides tremendous physiological and psychological health benefits is what drove me to start my practice Surfer’s Edge Physical Therapy in 2013, later expanding to Surf Body Connection to include online surf wellness courses and coaching in 2016.
Physical Therapy Licenses:
California: 35208 | Maine: 4589 | Hawaii: 3388| Wyoming 1829| Idaho 5978
Education
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Doctorate of Physical Therapy (DPT) – Chapman University
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B.A. Psychobiology- University California Santa Cruz
- RYT-200- Med Flow Yoga
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Certificate in Massage Therapy- Mueller College of Holistic Studies
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Certified Life Coach-Life Purpose Institute
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Certified: Selective Functional Movement Systems, Functional Movement Systems, Y-Balance Test, Titlist Performance Institute.
