If you experience back pain, you are not alone. 36% of adults in the UK experience back pain in any given year, and 80% will experience it at some point in their life.

I am one of those people, and the only consistent, long-term salve I’ve found is corrective exercise, which is why I decided to become a Spine Reform Coach.

What is a Spine Reform Coach?

As a certified Spine Reform Coach, I am trained to provide yoga coaching to clients with back issues.

Typically this involves four weeks of 1:1 coaching, in which you receive tailored guidance, regular practice and homework to complete.

At the end of one month, you will feel stronger, more flexible and better able to take care of your body.

How much time do I have to commit?

I work online, and our sessions together will take 30 mins once a week for four weeks. You will have a tailored homework protocol that should take you no more than 15 minutes a day.

What equipment will I need?

You will need a yoga mat and a chair, plus a laptop or tablet to join our sessions.

What if it’s not suitable for me?

I offer all clients a free assessment session, so I can understand more about your pain and how it presents in your body. If at the end of that session either of us feels it’s not the right fit, we won’t continue.

What does it cost?

The cost of a four-week 1:1 coaching programme is £200. No hidden extras.

This includes:

• Zoom coaching with Hannah (30 min weekly)
• Corrective exercise video practice (15 min daily, changes weekly)
• Morning and evening breathing exercises (5 min daily, changes weekly)
• Support and guidance (opportunity for check-ins via email)

Will this fix me?

Everyone feels the desire to fix things permanently. The truth is, when it comes to taking care of our beautifully complex bodies, there are no quick fixes. But you might be surprised by how dramatically a regular corrective exercise routine can resolve the majority of your issues, and open the door to getting back to the things you enjoy.

My story

I used to run. I loved running, and it wasn’t something that came easy to me. I did the NHS Couch to 5k programme during the pandemic, and each footstep felt hard-earned. Eventually I made it to the full 5k, and I ran three times a week. I loved it. I started to feel a little bit stiff in my back after a while, but I put it down to my office chair. How could running be bad for me? I bought a new chair. I bought new shoes. I did more yoga.

One day, at the end of my yoga practice, I couldn’t get up off the floor. I was stuck. My whole back had gone into spasm, and I was terrified. It felt as though it was carved out of wood. Locked solid. After a couple of hours, I worked my way up to my knees, then to standing, but I couldn’t stand up straight. I was bent over at a 90% angle, pressing my palms into my thighs. I contacted my GP and they gave me an appointment for four days’ time. So I went to bed, but I couldn’t lie down flat, or sit up straight. I couldn’t get comfortable. It was agony.

After three days of this, I found a video online with guidance for releasing a back in spasm. I did the exercise, and within seconds, the whole muscle chain unlocked. I was still in pain, but I could stand up straight, and walk very slowly if I could lean on someone.

The next day I went to the GP and they gave me some very strong painkillers, which I didn’t feel would help me in my goal of getting back to normal. They advised me to self-refer to physiotherapy, but warned it could be up to three months before I was seen. I filled out the form, and wondered what I should do in the interim.

On my 39th birthday, I bought a walking stick. “This can’t be it,” I thought.

I came across a spine reform programme online, and I signed up immediately. The corrective exercises were helpful, and over the course of a month, I felt myself getting stronger. Sometimes it was hard work, but I knew it was working because with each day I needed less and less support from my stick. I made lifestyle changes, like getting a standing desk, walking more, drinking more water and (to my chagrin) switching running for the elliptical machine.

By the time my physiotherapy appointment came around, I was already feeling 90% better. They gave me some additional exercises to do, but confirmed I was on the right track.

My back still hurts sometimes. I have to take it slow some days. But the difference corrective exercises have made to my life cannot be understated.

In summer 2026, I passed my Spine Reform Coach exam, and became certified by YOGABODY to provide 1:1 coaching to clients. If this sounds good to you, get in touch.