Whealth Co-Founder Andrew Overcomes 10 mm L4S5 Disc Herniation, Sciatica, and Chronic Pain from Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome
Written by Whealth co-founder Andrew Dettelbach:
I have been in the pain relief industry since 2012. As of 2023, I have helped over 22,000 people overcome their pain in my programs.
How is my coaching different? I have experienced numerous bouts of chronic pain throughout my life as a result of hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, which has allowed me to understand the struggles that our members are going through and what is needed physically and mentally to overcome those struggles.
When I was 23 (2013), I experienced severe back pain and was diagnosed with a 10mm herniation at my L4/L5 in my lower back. This was the most severe chronic/persistent pain I’ve had, resulting in sciatica down both legs for 2 years straight.
My disc herniation was debilitating - I struggled to stand up straight, was unable to use the restroom without pain, barely slept, couldn’t walk more than 100 feet without needing to sit down, had to wear a compression brace 24/7, utilized lumbar support while seated and driving, and took a myriad of medications that numbed my mind more than my body. I did get a transforaminal steroid epidural injection that helped me for 1 week before all the pain came back.
Needless to say, I have experienced the physical and mental darkness of severe, debilitating pain. Persistent pain destroys your lifestyle and relationships and often sends you down a spiral of dark thoughts.
I was told by multiple doctors, surgeons, PTs, and chiros that I would need surgery to resolve my pain. I was told that I wouldn’t be able to lift weights again, that I wouldn’t be able to travel without a back brace, and that I would likely have to deal with back pain/sciatica for the rest of my life. I knew that my family member had undergone 6 failed back surgeries and I had worked with dozens of patients that also had failed back surgeries. I felt that surgery was a gamble and refused to do it.
Instead, I spent 2 years learning new movement patterns and strengthening my body in a new way. The result was overcoming my disc herniation without surgery and teaching others to do the same. A few years afterward, I started creating online programs to help people all around the world.
Aside from my disc herniation (which I’m most known for), I have experienced debilitating chronic/persistent pain in nearly every part of my body before age 26, including:
SIJ pain
back muscle strain
FAI in right hip
plantar fasciitis and heel spur on right foot
left knee meniscus pain
shoulder impingement in both shoulders
labral pain in left shoulder
neck sprain from failed backflip
numerous rib subluxations
golfers and tennis elbow in both elbows
chronic hamstring strain in left
chronic thanar pain (thumb)
shin splints
Achilles pain in both Achilles
I have overcome all of them and kept the injuries at bay. The methods I have come up with have helped over 22,000 people worldwide overcome their persistent pain.
I am grateful for every struggle that I have had because it has allowed me to help someone else through theirs.
What are my qualifications? I have a Kinesiology degree with an emphasis in pre-physical therapy. I decided not to go to Physical Therapy school after having spent 4 years in the clinical setting working with thousands of people hands-on. The cost of schooling was unreasonable to me for the low salaries that PTs received. I also have my FRCms cert and Onnit durability cert. I have gotten several other training certifications, including CF-L1.
Lastly, I have tremendous experience working with people in person and online. I have seen thousands of different diagnoses, and my programs have helped all of them.
Today, I continue to push my body and mind to new limits, and I encourage YOU to live to your fullest potential.
When you’re ready to live a life free of pain and enroll in our programs, use code SHIRTLESSDUDE for 10% off our programs!
