Busy marketing executive Lori Hess wanted a way to treat her rheumatoid arthritis and bursitis without taking medication. After some research, she decided to explore personal training at Galter LifeCenter as a way to help her better manage her symptoms and improve her quality of life.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and bursitis are painful inflammatory diseases that can cause overall body weakness, loss of balance and a variety of other limiting symptoms, all of which Lori had been experiencing. “I couldn’t pull myself up at times,” Lori said. “It was a daily struggle to do the most basic things that most people take for granted.”

Lori began training with Christine Cunningham ("CC") in addition to working with physicians and physical therapists at Swedish Covenant Hospital. By approaching all aspects of her care through collaboration with one another, the team helped Lori begin her journey to wellness.

“From the physical therapist who helped me get through bursitis—in a private, one-on-one setting—to the doctors, everyone at Swedish Covenant Hospital was crucial to my recovery,” said Lori. “Everyone at Galter LifeCenter—including the membership coordinators and locker room attendants—have helped me in so many ways. I cannot begin to express my appreciation for all of their knowledge and compassion.”

Lori’s personal training program has helped her achieve measurable progress and recover to a level of normalcy she never thought possible. She returned to work and had the freedom to spend her leisure time how she would like to spend it, without building activities around her limitations.

“Working with CC has been an extremely nurturing and caring experience,” said Lori. “She has been instrumental in helping me learn how to safety exercise within my limitations in a fun yet professional way. The training program she designed has really paid off, and I feel like I’m becoming the best and healthiest version of myself I can be.”