Erin McGrathMy name is Erin McGrath- I am 29 years old and live in Wilmington, Delaware with my husband. I’m a Delaware native, and graduated from University of Delaware. I am in Marketing and Communications at a Delaware nonprofit, where I’ve worked for 8 years. 

While I would never describe myself as an “athlete,” I am a huge advocate of exercise for physical and mental wellbeing. I maintain a regular schedule of cardio, strength training, and yoga 5-6 days a week. Like many people, I struggle with anxiety- and when I can’t exercise because I am sick or injured, I get grumpy, anxious, and it impacts every aspect of my life negatively. 

About 2 years ago, I was working on progression to being able to do chin-ups at the gym.  When I let myself down from the bar I felt a “SNAP” in my right-side neck/shoulder area and immediately couldn’t turn my head to the right. After four or five days it seemed to feel better  but, since then, I’ve had “flare ups” where the wrong movement will set off a chain of excruciating pain in my neck and shoulder on the right side. The same side where I originally hurt it.  When this has happened, I’ve had to sleep sitting up and I’ve even missed work. 

Last summer, I started getting sharp, intense headaches that were mainly over my right eye. They would last for days- and at their worst- weeks. My headaches became a huge problem. I would wake up in the middle of the night, so I was often exhausted and still had a headache in the morning. I would get easily frustrated and emotional and found it difficult to focus at work. I felt helpless.  Unable to workout normally, my anxiety increased and I felt sluggish, tired, and irritated.  All the time. 

I eventually went to my doctor and explained to her that it felt like “someone was pulling on the muscle behind my eye.” She said that it sounded musculoskeletal and suggested trying physical therapy. 

I started working with Precision Performance in November 2019. At first I was going to sessions weekly, then I moved to bi-weekly, and then monthly. Now, I am at a place now where I feel good and should only need to go back as needed! 

I was a little skeptical when my doctor suggested physical therapy for my headaches…. But after my first session I was shocked. That week, prior to my first appointment, I had a headache for 5 days straight.  My first session was on a Thursday evening and the next morning, my headache was significantly less painful. Not completely gone, but SO much better. 

When I left my first session, I also remember thinking “oh… this is what that muscle is supposed to feel like?” I don’t think I realized how bad it was until after it felt better. Not only did the sessions help but Ray was able to provide me with things I could do at home to help when I did feel headaches or muscle pain. 

Since working with Precision Performance I have had better sleep, gotten back to normal workout habits, and been able to pick up my niece without worrying I will end up in extreme pain. Working with them has made me feel so much better. I have already recommended Precision Performance to two friends who have similar problems with headaches and neck pain. Ray is kind, patient, and very knowledgeable. He explained the ¨science” behind all of the techniques he used which was both educational and reassuring. 

I have never done physical therapy before and was nervous about starting. From booking my first appointment over the phone with Meg, I felt better already. My first appointment was a little scary (I never thought I´d have needles with electric currents stuck into my muscles to make me feel BETTER), but it worked and I knew the next day this was something that was going to help. 

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