Together We Heal: LivING Beyond Pain.

LIVING WELL WITH CHRONIC PAIN

Stronger Together. Supported Always. Living Life Your Way!

Because there's so much more to your life than pain!

Living with chronic pain can bring unexpected challenges, but it doesn't have to define who you are or limit your ability to experience connection, happiness, and fulfillment.

Imagine being surrounded by women who truly understand your experiences, celebrate your victories, encourage your progress, and remind you of everything you're still capable of accomplishing.

Welcome to our Women's Chronic Pain Support Group—a place for connection, encouragement, empowerment, and personal growth!

Our group brings women together in a warm, welcoming, and judgment-free environment where you can share experiences, exchange ideas, discover helpful strategies, and build meaningful friendships.

Through uplifting conversations, practical coping skills, educational resources, and mind-body wellness techniques, we'll explore ways to support your physical comfort, emotional well-being, and overall quality of life.

Whether you're looking to build confidence, discover new ways to stay active, manage stress, or simply connect with women who understand, you'll find a community that encourages you to focus on possibilities rather than limitations.

You are more than your pain. Your goals still matter. Your happiness still matters. And YOU still matter!

THE BENEFITS OF OUR CHRONIC PAIN SUPPORT GROUP

More Connection. More Confidence. More Joy. More Living!

Find Your People & Build Meaningful Connections

There's something powerful about being surrounded by women who understand what you're experiencing without needing a lengthy explanation.

Share your experiences, celebrate victories, exchange encouragement, and build friendships with women who understand the ups and downs of living with chronic pain.

Because life feels a little lighter when you have people in your corner!

Discover New Coping Skills & Wellness Strategies

Explore practical tools to support your physical and emotional well-being, including relaxation exercises, mindfulness, pacing strategies, stress management, and healthy daily routines.

Learn from both professional guidance and the experiences of other group members as you discover what works best for you.

Feel More Confident & Empowered

Build confidence in your ability to make choices that support your health, communicate your needs, and advocate for yourself.

Together, we'll focus on your strengths, recognize your progress, and develop strategies that help you feel more empowered in everyday life.

Stay Active & Enjoy the Things You Love

Discover ways to make meaningful activities more accessible and enjoyable while respecting your body's needs.

Learn about activity pacing, energy management, and setting realistic goals that allow you to participate in life at a level that works for you.

Progress isn't about doing everything. It's about finding ways to do more of what matters to YOU!

Strengthen Emotional Resilience

Develop tools to manage stress, navigate difficult days, and approach challenges with greater confidence and self-compassion.

Learn how your thoughts, emotions, and physical experiences interact while building practical skills that support emotional balance.

Share Ideas, Resources & Real-Life Solutions

Sometimes the most helpful ideas come from someone who's been there!

Exchange tips for navigating daily routines, communicating with healthcare providers, managing energy, improving sleep habits, and making everyday activities more comfortable.

Create a Healthier Mind-Body Connection

Explore how relaxation, mindfulness, breathing techniques, and other supportive practices may help you manage stress and improve your overall sense of well-being.

Our approach recognizes that physical and emotional health are interconnected and that caring for both is an important part of living well.

Celebrate Progress—Big & Small!

Every victory deserves recognition!

Whether you've found a helpful new routine, enjoyed an outing with friends, advocated for your needs, or simply made time for something that brings you joy, we'll celebrate those moments together.

Build Confidence in Managing Your Health

Become a more informed and active participant in your wellness journey.

Explore ways to communicate effectively with your healthcare team, understand available resources, and develop a personalized collection of coping strategies that complement your medical treatment.

Rediscover Joy, Purpose & Possibility

Chronic pain may be part of your experience, but it doesn't have to be the center of your story.

Reconnect with your interests, explore meaningful goals, strengthen relationships, and make room for the activities and experiences that bring you happiness.

Because living well isn't about waiting for every symptom to disappear. It's about creating a meaningful, fulfilling life while caring for yourself along the way.

YOU DON'T HAVE TO DO IT ALONE!

Real Women. Real Connections. Real Encouragement.

Our Women's Chronic Pain Support Group is about so much more than discussing pain.

It's about friendship, understanding, encouragement, laughter, personal growth, and discovering new ways to enjoy life.

You'll have opportunities to connect with women who understand your experiences, learn practical strategies, and build confidence in navigating life's everyday challenges.

Some days, you'll be the one offering encouragement. Other days, you'll be the one receiving it.

And that's the beauty of growing stronger together.

YOUR LIFE IS STILL FULL OF POSSIBILITIES!

Connect. Learn. Laugh. Grow. Thrive.

You deserve a life filled with meaningful connections, enjoyable experiences, and moments worth celebrating.

Come as you are, share as much or as little as you feel comfortable with, and discover the encouragement that comes from being part of a supportive community.

Your Pain Is Part of Your Story. It Doesn't Have to Be the Whole Story.

FROM CRUNCHES TO COURAGE: A JOURNEY OF RESILIENCE
- MY SPINAL CORD TUMOR STORY -

Hey there! Grab a cup of coffee, settle in, and let me share my story with you. It’s one of those rollercoasters that not only tests your mettle but also teaches you a thing or two about resilience and the power of the human spirit.

Back in the 90s, when neon leotards were all the rage and kickboxing classes were considered an edgy workout, I was breaking barriers. As one of the first females to become certified as a personal trainer, I was on a mission to empower women to embrace fitness. I designed and implemented personal training programs at various nationwide fitness centers before taking the plunge to open my own gym, exclusively for women. I watched women transform, not just in how they looked but in how they felt about themselves. The empowerment was contagious! Suddenly, it wasn’t just about losing weight or toning up; it was about embracing strength and confidence, breaking barriers and stereotypes one squat at a time.

It was my little sanctuary, and I wanted it to be a place where women could come together to sweat it out, find community, and embrace their journeys toward health and wellness. We focused not just on fitness, but also on weight management, nutrition, and yes, life coaching. Because let’s be honest—life can get tricky, and a little guidance can go a long way.

But just when I thought I had life figured out, it threw me a curveball. After teaching one particularly energetic kickboxing class, I noticed something strange: my toes were numb. At first, I shrugged it off, thinking maybe my shoelaces were too tight. But as days passed, the tingling sensation spiraled into full-blown numbness creeping up my legs. I consulted my doctor, who, after an inconclusive lumbar MRI, simply attributed my symptoms to “stress.” Honestly, it was disheartening. I had always felt a strong sense of intuition, and deep down, I knew something was very wrong.

Pushing through the dismissal, I pleaded for a thoracic MRI, but my doctor waved it off. The frustration of being unheard was palpable, especially as a woman often relegated to the sidelines when it came to health issues. As the numbness progressed and my body began to deteriorate, I feared the worst—multiple sclerosis seemed like the only explanation.

Then came the day of my thorasic MRI. Laying there, tears streaming down my cheeks, I felt utterly powerless. But what happened next changed everything. The radiologist, whom I am forever grateful, broke protocol and broke the news: I had one of the largest spinal cord tumors she’d ever seen. My heart sank, but there was also a flicker of relief. Finally, I had clarity.

The next day, I met with a neurosurgeon. “You need surgery immediately,” he said. However, the wait for two more weeks felt like an eternity. Every day, I lost more muscle function, and the thought of leaving my young children—ages seven, four, and just one—was a crushing weight on my heart.

On the morning of the surgery, I kissed my family goodbye, fully aware of how precarious life can be. But here’s the thing about me: when someone tells me I can’t do something, I take it as a personal challenge. I was determined to walk out of that hospital.

The surgery lasted eight grueling hours, and I suffered a heart attack during the process. When I woke up, I was in the cardiac ICU, grappling with the reality of my situation. After a week, I was moved to Neuro ICU, surrounded by patients who were paralyzed, facing their own battles. My heart ached for them, but I was also inspired.

One day, I set a goal: I would walk around the nurses' station. Gripping the railing with all my might, I put one foot in front of the other. The room was filled with cheers from young men who were also fighting their own battles. “You can do it! Do it for us!” they shouted, and with each step, I felt the spark of hope igniting within me.

Relearning to walk was an uphill climb. I mean, here I was, a fitness instructor known for my enthusiasm and pep, suddenly finding myself in a world where walking felt like scaling a mountain. Some days were hurdles—literally. I would trip over the invisible ones, feeling the weight of my limitations. There were many days of frustration and tears, especially when I couldn’t even change my baby’s diaper. They had severed most of muscles in my back, which left me struggling to use my arms. Unfortunately, I had to make the heart-wrenching decision to step away from teaching fitness classes, as my strength and coordination just didn’t bounce back the way I had hoped. It was a bittersweet moment for me, but I continued to focus on healing and finding new ways to stay active.

Fast forward to 2014, and there I was, minding my own business, when—bam! I got rear-ended by a construction truck. I remember the jolt like it was yesterday; it was like someone pressed the pause button on my whole life. Suddenly, the familiar numbness crept back in, wrapping around my body like an unwelcome guest you can’t seem to shake off.

I went through the usual rigmarole: MRIs, countless doctor visits, and a whole lot of waiting around for answers that never seemed to come. You know how it is—you meet one doctor after another, all with their own theories, and you’re left feeling like a human guinea pig. But then, I found a doctor who actually wanted to dig deeper. His persistence paid off, and soon we discovered that a disc was pressing on my nerves. Cue the surgery lights!

I underwent an anterior lumbar fusion, which, let me tell you, felt like a miracle at first. The symptoms improved almost immediately, and for a brief, shining moment, I thought I’d finally turned a corner. But life had other plans; about 18 months later, the pesky pain crept back in. Ugh! Can you believe it? The fusion had failed. Here I was, thinking I’d found my happy ending, and instead, I was back on the merry-go-round of medical procedures.

Not one to back down, I sought out another doctor, this time for a posterior fusion. And guess what? Once again, I felt the sweet relief—until two years later when I realized I was back in the ring. This time, my arms, hands, and even feet joined the party with their own special brand of discomfort. Who knew my body had such a flair for drama?

So, off I went for a cervical fusion, and I could feel the improvements almost instantly. It was like that moment in a movie where the protagonist finally finds their groove. But just when I thought I was out of the woods, life threw me yet another curveball. A year later, I got the diagnosis of arthritis in both hips. Double hip replacement, here I come! I had really hoped to skate through a year without major surgery, but life, as it turns out, has a sense of humor that’s not always funny.

As I sit here now, typing with one hand and propping up my recovering hip with the other, I’ve come to realize something important: I’m resilient. Maybe stubborn is a better word, but I like to think of it as an unwavering spirit. This first hip replacement has proven to be tougher than I bargained for, but I’m determined to get through it.

Through all these trials, I’ve learned the importance of a strong mind-body connection. Healing isn’t just physical; it’s emotional and psychological too. I leaned into the skills I’d gained from my life coaching and counseling background, helping myself regain control and take back my life.

And now, I want to share everything I’ve learned with you. If you’re navigating chronic pain or need support, I’m here—let’s connect! Remember, having the right tools and support can make all the difference in not just surviving, but thriving.

So here’s to resilience, to laughter through the tears, and to the unwavering spirit within us all! Let’s keep moving forward together!

FROM CRUNCHES TO COURAGE: MY JOURNEY OF RESILIENCE, CHRONIC PAIN & FINDING JOY AGAIN

Why I Understand Chronic Pain—Not Just as a Therapist, but as Someone Who Lives With It

I spent the first part of my career teaching women how to strengthen their bodies. I never imagined that one day, I would have to learn how to rebuild my own. Back in the 1990s, when neon leotards and kickboxing classes were all the rage, I was among the early women to become certified as a personal trainer. I eventually opened my own women-only gym, where I discovered that helping women become stronger was about so much more than exercise. It was about building confidence, friendships, resilience, and believing in themselves. I absolutely loved what I did! Then, after teaching a particularly energetic kickboxing class, I noticed something strange—my toes were numb. I assumed my shoes were too tight, but the numbness gradually spread up my legs. Despite knowing something was wrong, my initial medical evaluations didn't provide answers, and my symptoms were attributed to stress. After repeatedly advocating for additional testing, a thoracic MRI revealed one of the largest spinal cord tumors the radiologist had ever seen. I was terrified, but I was also relieved. Finally, someone understood that what I was experiencing was real.

With three young children at home, ages seven, four, and one, I underwent an eight-hour surgery complicated by a heart attack. When I woke up in the cardiac ICU, my life looked very different. The woman who had spent years teaching fitness classes was suddenly struggling to walk, use her arms, and care for her children. I remember the heartbreak of not being able to change my baby's diaper and the frustration of needing help with things I had always done independently. One of my most meaningful memories was deciding to walk around the nurses' station while recovering in the neurological ICU. Holding tightly to the railing, I slowly put one foot in front of the other as other patients cheered, "You can do it! Do it for us!" That moment changed my understanding of strength forever. Sometimes the greatest victories aren't measured in miles or pounds lifted, but in the courage it takes to try again. Although I eventually regained abilities, I had to give up teaching fitness classes and adjust to a body that no longer worked the way it once had.

Years later, in 2014, I was rear-ended by a construction truck, and many of those familiar neurological symptoms returned. What followed was another long journey of MRIs, specialists, nerve pain, and surgeries. I underwent an anterior lumbar fusion that initially brought tremendous relief, only to learn 18 months later that the fusion had failed. A posterior lumbar fusion followed, and eventually a cervical fusion when symptoms developed in my arms, hands, and feet. Just when I thought I might finally be finished with major surgeries, I developed arthritis in both hips and needed hip replacement surgery. At that point, I joked that I should have my own reserved parking space at the hospital! Humor became one of my favorite coping strategies, but underneath the jokes were very real feelings of frustration, exhaustion, disappointment, and uncertainty.

Living with chronic pain has taught me things no textbook ever could. I understand what it's like to wake up wondering what kind of day your body will give you, to cancel plans you were genuinely excited about, and to feel frustrated when something that used to be effortless becomes difficult. I know how exhausting it can be to explain your symptoms repeatedly, how discouraging it feels when treatments don't provide lasting relief, and how difficult it can be to accept help when you're accustomed to taking care of everyone else. I've also learned that you can be strong and still feel overwhelmed, grateful and still feel frustrated, hopeful and still have difficult days. Chronic pain doesn't just affect your body. It can affect your confidence, relationships, independence, identity, and emotional well-being. And sometimes, the hardest part isn't the pain itself, but feeling that other people don't fully understand what you're experiencing.

That's why my approach to chronic pain counseling is so personal. As a therapist, I bring professional training and evidence-informed strategies to help women manage the emotional impact of chronic pain, strengthen coping skills, and improve their quality of life. But I also bring something that can't be learned in a classroom: the experience of being the patient. When you sit across from me, you won't have to convince me that your pain is real or explain why you're frustrated that your body doesn't always cooperate. I won't tell you to simply think positively, push through it, or try harder. I understand that some days the greatest accomplishment is getting through the day, while other days you may feel ready to take on the world. I also understand that your experience is uniquely yours, and my role isn't to compare our stories but to listen, support you, and help you discover what works best for your life.

Perhaps the most important lesson I've learned is that resilience isn't about ignoring pain or pretending everything is fine. Sometimes resilience means resting, asking for help, adjusting expectations, or finding new ways to enjoy the things you love. My own experiences have deepened my belief in the mind-body connection and the importance of caring for our emotional well-being alongside our physical health. Today, my passion for empowering women is just as strong as it was when I opened my first gym. The difference is that now I help women build emotional strength, confidence, self-compassion, and the skills to create fulfilling lives while navigating physical challenges. I can't promise to take away your pain, but I can offer genuine understanding, professional support, practical strategies, and encouragement from someone who truly appreciates the journey.

My story is still being written, and so is yours. I've learned to celebrate the small victories, appreciate the good days, laugh when I can, and remind myself that I am so much more than my medical history. If you're living with chronic pain, I want you to know that you are more than your diagnosis, your limitations, or the difficult days you've experienced. You still deserve happiness, meaningful relationships, personal growth, and a life filled with moments worth celebrating. Whether through individual counseling or our Women's Chronic Pain Support Group, I'd love to help you rediscover your strengths, reconnect with what matters most, and explore the possibilities ahead. Because your pain may be part of your story, but it doesn't have to be the whole story. And sometimes, having someone who truly understands walking beside you can make all the difference.

If you would like to set up a complimentary 15 min. phone consultation or schedule an appointment, call 404-386-6130 or email alisonkellylpc@gamil.com You can also fill out the form below. Please note that counseling services are for Georgia residents only. Thank you so much and let me know if I can help with anything else.

I WOULD LIKE MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE CHRONIC PAIN SUPPORT GROUP:

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SERENITY COACHING AND COUNSELING

Alison Kelly, LPC, MA, DBTC
404-386-6130
alisonkellylpc@gmail.com

OFFICE LOCATION:
Milton/Alpharetta near Cambridge High School & King’s Ridge Christian School
(address given upon booking an appointment)

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