My Hinge Health Member Story: Christy

Hinge Health is a new kind of digital clinic for joint and muscle pain — one built around members, their lives, and their needs. And it’s backed by life-changing outcomes and real savings.

Here, meet Hinge Health member Christy, who struggled with ongoing hip pain. In this video and interview, Christy shares how exercise therapy and small daily efforts helped her regain mobility, build strength, and return to running and regular exercise.

Learn more here about how Hinge Health can help your organization or to request a demo.

Christy’s Story: Surgery Didn’t Take Her Pain Away, But This Did

For years, Christy struggled with hip pain that affected her daily life. After undergoing surgery for a hip impingement and labrum repair, she expected relief — but the pain persisted. "Even two years after surgery, I was still uncomfortable,” she recalls. The ongoing discomfort forced her to rely on medication like ibuprofen and made even simple activities — like sitting at work, walking short distances, or riding in a car — painful. As a result, she avoided exercise and struggled to stay active.

On top of that, Christy was balancing a demanding full-time job while caring for a parent undergoing cancer treatment. "I wasn’t taking care of myself at all," she admits. She knew something needed to change, but she wasn’t sure where to start.

Movement and So Much More 

That change came when Christy learned about Hinge Health. "I started with exercises three times a week, and within just a few weeks, I increased to five times a week," she says. 

Christy quickly noticed significant improvements. "The pain I had been living with for years started to fade. Within a month or two, I could lie on my right side without discomfort and sit for extended periods without aching."

Christy realized that Hinge Health was more than just a structured exercise program. She found a care team that truly cared about her well-being. Her health coach and physical therapist played a crucial role in her progress. "They weren’t just there to guide me through exercises — they checked in on me, encouraged me, and reminded me to take care of my whole self," she says. They helped her not only regain strength in her hip but also manage stress and build better habits around movement and self-care.

Regaining Strength and Confidence

As Christy’s pain diminished, her confidence grew. "I had always been goal-oriented, so my coach encouraged me to set specific goals for my recovery," she explains. Her ultimate challenge? Running again. "I hadn't run in nearly 20 years, but I set a goal to participate in International Running Day. I told myself I may not go very fast or very far, but I would run. And I did it."

A month later, Christy was running three days a week and adding cardio workouts too. Even after an unexpected abdominal surgery temporarily sidelined her, Christy’s Hinge Health team helped her recover safely by adjusting her treatment to focus more on building strength in her core. "They helped me get back to where I wanted to be," she says.

The Power of 15 Minutes

Today, Christy is more active than she has been in years. She lifts weights, runs, and walks several miles at a time. "Now, if I feel sore, it’s because I worked out — not because something is wrong," she says.

Christy is grateful for the simple but powerful changes that Hinge Health helped her make. "Fifteen minutes a day changed everything for me. I went from being in pain all the time to being really active — and feeling good about my health and what I can do. I feel like now I can embrace the world and my job and my family. It's just truly been life changing.”