For many active adults, hitting your seventies brings a tough realization: taking care of your body is no longer optional. But what happens when the usual fixes like standard physical therapy, painkillers, and even fancy laser treatments just don’t work?

That was exactly the situation for one 71-year-old client. He had always lived a vibrant life full of cycling, swimming, surfing, and skiing, but he was suddenly facing a major roadblock – a stubborn left shoulder pain that constantly hovered between a five and an eight out of ten.

The Band-Aid Approach

Like anyone desperate for relief, he tried all the standard quick fixes. Anti-inflammatory pills only gave him temporary comfort. Pain patches worked for a little while and then stopped doing anything at all. He even tried softwave and shockwave laser therapies, but they proved completely ineffective for him.

He had never really been a “gym guy,” but as the ache dragged on, he started to realize that avoiding structured strength training might be part of the problem.

Why Traditional Physical Therapy Let Him Down

Early on, this client tried going through standard physical therapy using his health insurance. Unfortunately, the experience left him deeply underwhelmed.

He described it as incredibly limited. He would be handed a generic instruction like, “do your scapular retractions ten times a day,” and that was basically the extent of his care. He was squeezed into 30-minute sessions where the therapist was juggling several other people at the exact same time. 

Because the exercises were cookie-cutter and the attention was so divided, he didn’t see any benefit. He felt like just another claim number, not a unique individual who needed real help.

The Turning Point

Things finally changed when he decided to try the Comeback Performance program. By the third or fourth week, a lightbulb went off in his head: this was actually working.

Instead of being stuck with the same repetitive motions, he was guided through a diverse range of movements that strengthened his shoulder from every possible angle. He also received true, individualized coaching. 

Through weekly check-ins and an easy-to-use app, he could log his workouts, leave notes for his coach, and watch detailed instructional videos.

Most importantly, he experienced a mental shift. He learned that occasional “flare-ups” weren’t signs of failure, but just a normal part of the healing journey. With a positive outlook and the right professional guidance, he knew exactly how to push through them.

“Easy Peasy” Mobility Was The Result

Today, at 71, this client is back to doing what he loves, and his shoulder is the last thing on his mind.

He’s playing pickleball three to four days a week. He’s out on his stand-up paddleboard, easily switching hands to catch the waves, all with a completely quiet, pain-free shoulder.

The biggest sign of his success? He finally stopped rubbing it. He used to constantly grab and massage his left shoulder, unconsciously trying to rub the pain away. Now, the habit is entirely gone.

His Advice for Those Still Hurting

If you’ve gone through the traditional physical therapy mill and are now facing the scary prospect of surgery or endless injections, he has one piece of advice: 

“Go in 100%. Don’t shy away, don’t make excuses. Either you’re all in or forget it.”

Investing in a customized, movement-based program really can be the difference between simply “pushing 70” and living your seventies to the absolute fullest.