Becoming Pain-Free: Lalitha McSorley Of Brentwood Physio On How to Alleviate Chronic Pain

An interview with Maria Angelova

Seek help from a professional — It’s important to realize when it is time to seek assistance from a qualified medical professional. A physiotherapist can provide exercises and stretches specifically tailored to your individual needs as well as providing additional support and understanding for dealing with chronic pain.

As a part of our series about “Becoming Pain-Free: How to Alleviate Chronic Pain”, I had the pleasure of interviewing Lalitha McSorley.

Lalitha is an experienced physiotherapist in Calgary who has been practicing for 40 years. She is passionate about helping her patients live healthy and active lives, and loves to spend her free time hiking in the great outdoors. Lalitha’s dedication to improving quality of life through physical therapy is unmatched and she continues to bring joy and relief to all those she serves.

Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series! Before we dive in, our readers would love to “get to know you” better. Can you share your “backstory” with us?

I have been a physiotherapist for over 40 years now, and the one thing I know for sure is that pain can be a debilitating force in someone’s life. It can seem like no matter what you do, you just can’t get relief from the chronic aches and pains that plague you every day. That’s why I decided to specialize in helping people overcome and manage their pain. I have seen firsthand how even small changes can make a huge difference when it comes to managing and overcoming chronic pain. From stretching and strengthening exercises, to dietary changes, to exploring alternative treatments like acupuncture and massage, I am committed to finding the best possible solution for each of my patients.

Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you started your career? What were the main lessons or takeaways from that story?

For the past 40 years, I have encountered a variety of interesting patients while practicing physiotherapy. One particular story that stands out in my mind is an elderly patient who had a very extreme case of vertigo, which was causing life changing dizzy spells. Despite the challenge of progressing slowly, I had the patience and dedication required to help her make progress. With consistent dedication, I was able to help the patient who I can proudly say she is symptom free!

It has been said that our mistakes can be our greatest teachers. Can you share a story about a mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?

When I first started my career as a physiotherapist, I nearly gave up. It was with an elderly MVA patient who presented some very complex symptoms, it was hard to help her progress. But I kept trying and after some time, I was able to help the patient get stronger and move better. From this experience, I learned that even if something seems difficult or challenging, if you keep working hard, you can make progress.

When it comes to health and wellness, how is the work you are doing helping to make a bigger impact in the world?

When it comes to health and wellness, the work I am doing as a physiotherapist is making an impact in the world by providing people with the tools to live their best life. I am passionate about giving my patients the opportunity to take control of their health and improving quality of life for all those I serve. My goal is to help my patients move better, feel better, and live healthier lives. Each patient’s story serves as an inspiration to keep pushing forward and I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to be a part of their journey.

Let’s jump to the main focus of this series. For the benefit of our readers, can you please tell us why you are an authority on the subject of chronic pain?

As a physiotherapist with 40 years of experience in the field, I am an authority on the subject of chronic pain. Throughout my career, I have helped countless people manage and even erase their pain, from those suffering from arthritis to migraines. It is a joy for me to witness the incredible progress that my patients make and to help them live a life of mobility and comfort. I am immensely proud of the work I have done as a physiotherapist, and I am inspired by the stories of success that come out of my practice.

Can you please share with us a few of the most common causes of chronic pain?

One of the most common causes of chronic pain is arthritis. Arthritis is a condition where the cartilage on the ends of bones wears down and causes inflammation, stiffness, and pain. While it may seem like a daunting condition to manage, with the right treatment plan, arthritis can be managed. There are a number of treatments available, and each treatment plan is tailored to the individual patient’s needs. I have successfully helped numerous patients manage their arthritis and I am passionate about helping others do the same.

There are many different types of pain that people struggle with. Which specific form of pain would you like to focus on in this interview? Why that one?

I am passionate about arthritis pain management because of how common it is in our society. I truly believe that everyone deserves the chance to live their life to the fullest. As a physiotherapist, my job is to give people that opportunity. I am committed to helping every patient live their best life by providing them with the tools they need to manage their pain and get back to doing the things they love.

Here is the main question of our interview. Can you share your top five “lifestyle tweaks” that you believe will help support people’s journey toward becoming pain-free? Please give an example or story for each.

1 . Maintain a balanced diet — Eating a healthy and balanced diet that provides your body with the necessary nutrients it needs can help to reduce inflammation, improve energy levels, aid in better sleep, and support overall well-being. For example, someone suffering from chronic back pain may find relief by adding foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids (such as salmon or walnuts) which studies have linked to lessening joint stiffness and muscle soreness. An example of how a balanced diet can help someone suffering from chronic pain is reflected in the case of a 56-year-old man I saw who had been experiencing low back pain for a few years. For years, he had followed traditional treatments such as physical therapy and medications without success — his condition only got worse with time. After consulting with a nutritionist, he incorporated more anti-inflammatory foods into his diet and experienced significant improvement in his pain levels.

2 . Get adequate rest — Making sure you get enough rest each night is essential for reducing fatigue associated with physical pain, as tired muscles are more prone to injury or irritation. An example might be setting aside time each day for winding down before bedtime through reading or listening to calming music instead of scrolling on social media so that your mind has an opportunity to relax before sleep.

An example of how enough rest can help someone suffering from chronic pain is a woman I recently worked with who had been dealing with severe neck pain. She had been receiving traditional treatments such as physical therapy, which was working. After consulting with my team, she decided to make sleep a priority. She began winding down before bedtime, refraining from using her phone in the hour leading up to lights out and taking time to read or listen to calming music instead. After several weeks of following this practice, the woman reported a decrease in her pain levels– proving that getting enough rest is critical for those suffering from chronic pain.

3 . Exercise regularly — While it can be hard to get motivated when dealing with ongoing aches and pains, regular exercise releases endorphins which are natural mood elevators that will help combat feelings of depression and frustration associated with chronic pain conditions like arthritis or fibromyalgia. An example could include taking up yoga classes twice a week as gentle stretching helps stretch out tight muscles while providing relaxation techniques at the same time.

An example of how exercise can help someone suffering from chronic pain is a 45-year-old woman I recently worked with who had been dealing with severe shoulder pain from an old sports injury. She had been receiving traditional treatments such as physical therapy and medications, which were providing relief however, she still felt as though something was missing. After discussing her options with our team, she decided exercise was the best option was to make exercise a priority. 3 months later, a totally different person stepped into my office, beaming with energy.

4 . Try relaxation techniques — Meditation, breathing exercises, and mindfulness activities have been shown to help people manage their physical pain better by distracting the mind from focusing on the discomfort and allowing it to refocus on positive thoughts instead. An example might be taking a few minutes each day for mental imagery, which involves picturing yourself in an environment that brings feelings of peace, joy, and relaxation.

An example of how relaxation techniques can help someone suffering from chronic pain is a 40-year-old woman I worked with 10 years ago, who had been dealing with severe back pain due to an injury. She had been receiving traditional treatments such as physical therapy and medications. After speaking to her doctor, she decided to try relaxation techniques. She started by taking 5 minutes each day to do mental imagery and then progressed to incorporating yoga and Pilates. After several weeks of following these practices, the woman reported a significant improvement in her pain levels — proving the effectiveness of using relaxation techniques for those suffering from chronic pain.

5 . Seek help from a professional — It’s important to realize when it is time to seek assistance from a qualified medical professional. A physiotherapist can provide exercises and stretches specifically tailored to your individual needs as well as providing additional support and understanding for dealing with chronic pain.

An example of how seeking help from a physiotherapist can help a person with chronic pain is a 33-year-old woman I recently worked with who had been dealing with severe lower back pain. She had been receiving traditional treatments such as chiropractic therapy, which wasn’t providing the relief she desired. After consulting with our team, she decided to seek help from a physiotherapist. After several weeks of following the specific exercises and stretches provided by the physiotherapist, combined with regular visits for check-ins, she reported a decrease in her pain levels — proving that seeking help from a qualified medical professional can be beneficial in managing chronic pain.

If you could start a movement that would bring the most amount of wellness to the most amount of people, what would that be?

The movement I would start to bring the most amount of wellness to the most people possible is one that encourages physical activity and movement. Physical activity has been proven to be beneficial in helping reduce chronic pain, decrease stress levels, and improve overall mental health. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), regular physical activity can reduce the risk of non-communicable diseases and lower the likelihood of developing chronic health conditions such as depression, anxiety, and type 2 diabetes.

I believe that by educating people on the importance of physical activity in managing pain (and overall well-being) we can create a healthier world. I want to help people learn how to safely move their bodies without exacerbating pain, and to help build their awareness of how physical activity can help them in managing their chronic pain. By promoting the importance of movement in both treating and preventing pain, we can create a world where people are empowered to take control of their health. Together we can make a difference!

What is the best way for our readers to further follow your work online?

One of the best ways for readers to further follow my work is through my website Brentwood Physiotherapy Calgary. My website features a range of articles and blog posts related to physical therapy, pain management, and overall wellness. I regularly post articles which feature detailed demonstrations of various exercises and stretches that can be beneficial when it comes to managing pain. I also provide tips and advice on how to maintain a healthy lifestyle, even when suffering from chronic pain.

Thank you for these really excellent insights, and we greatly appreciate the time you spent with this. We wish you continued success.

About The Interviewer: Maria Angelova, MBA is a disruptor, author, motivational speaker, body-mind expert, Pilates teacher and founder and CEO of Rebellious Intl. As a disruptor, Maria is on a mission to change the face of the wellness industry by shifting the self-care mindset for consumers and providers alike. As a mind-body coach, Maria’s superpower is alignment which helps clients create a strong body and a calm mind so they can live a life of freedom, happiness and fulfillment. Prior to founding Rebellious Intl, Maria was a Finance Director and a professional with 17+ years of progressive corporate experience in the Telecommunications, Finance, and Insurance industries. Born in Bulgaria, Maria moved to the United States in 1992. She graduated summa cum laude from both Georgia State University (MBA, Finance) and the University of Georgia (BBA, Finance). Maria’s favorite job is being a mom. Maria enjoys learning, coaching, creating authentic connections, working out, Latin dancing, traveling, and spending time with her tribe. To contact Maria, email her at angelova@rebellious-intl.com. To schedule a free consultation, click here.