Former Chef and Retired Marine Finds His Stride Again with ActaStim®
Gustavo, a restaurant chef for over three decades and a former Marine, suffered debilitating lower back pain because of multiple car accidents. As a result, he had to step away from his beloved profession due to pain that left him unable to stand for more than five minutes, making daily tasks like walking his dog or getting out of his recliner impossible.
“My feet burned constantly, and the swelling was so bad I couldn’t wear my favorite shoes,” he said. “It was hard to imagine ever being able to live normally again.”
In early 2024, Gustavo underwent a two-level spinal fusion surgery (L4-S1) performed by orthopedic spine surgeon from AdventHealth. As part of his spine surgery recovery, he was prescribed the ActaStim® Bone Growth Stimulator, the only spinal fusion bone growth stimulator that combines clinically proven therapy, continuous wearability, and actionable daily patient insights to support healing via a smartphone app.
Initially uncertain about how to use the device, Gustavo turned to his brother, a back surgery veteran, for guidance. Together, they researched ActaStim® and were impressed by its potential benefits.
Throughout his recovery, Gustavo found additional encouragement from his ActaStim® representative, Jud, whose responsiveness, and support made a lasting impression. He also appreciated the kindness of the customer service team, describing his overall experience as “excellent.” Now, Gustavo is eager to share his journey, hoping to inspire others facing similar challenges.
“It’s like having a second chance at life,” Gustavo said. “ActaStim® helped me stay focused and gave me the pain relief I needed to stay motivated and regain my strength. I noticed when I didn’t wear it, I was in pain.”
Now, just five months after surgery, Gustavo has achieved some important clinical milestones that have surprised both him and those around him. He’s back to walking daily and recently completed a two-mile walk, along with 100 laps in his community pool. His passion for cooking has also reignited as he returns to preparing meals at home.
For Gustavo, the journey since his surgery has been transformative. “Not being able to walk was devastating for me as a Marine,” he said. “But now, I’m back to living life fully, and I give so much credit to ActaStim® for being a key part of my spinal fusion recovery.”
