![A Doctor's Advice](https://magarticles.magzter.com/articles/5537/533688/5fa0db0f2ee45/A-Doctors-Advice.jpg)
Mornings are hard for Travis Stork, MD, the charismatic former host of The Doctors television talk show. He wakes up with pain and stiffness in his toes, knees, hips and spine, so it can take a while to get moving and navigate the stairs in his Nashville home, he says.
Dr. Stork is known for sharing medical advice with television viewers and has authored several health books, but the 48-year-old physician admits he wasn’t always as careful about his own health.
From Injury to OA
Years ago, he jammed or hyperextended a toe, and his body still reminds him of it.
“When I was in my 20s, just before starting medical school, I sustained a turf-toe injury playing basketball,” he says. “Rather than seeing a doctor, I continued playing sports that exacerbated my injury, and as a result I developed bone-on-bone arthritis in both of my big toe joints.”
He finally consulted his doctor, who sent him to an orthopedist. Yet after corrective surgeries on both of his toes failed to provide relief, he reluctantly acknowledged that living with pain and stiffness might be his new normal.
As a result of his painful feet, he started having back problems, too. “Since it hurt to put weight on my foot, I altered the way I walk, and that put more pressure on my knees, hips and spine,” Dr. Stork says.
“I subsequently had surgery on my neck and spine. Three years ago, after my spine surgery, I decided to begin looking at ways to proactively minimize my chronic pain and maximize my joint function,” he says.
Relief Without Surgery
This story is from the Fall/Winter 2020 edition of Arthritis Today.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the Fall/Winter 2020 edition of Arthritis Today.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
![11 Ways to Build Resilience](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5537/533688/5fa0e57d55565/crp_Resilience-Arthritis-Rheumatic-diseases-Chronic-illness.jpg)
11 Ways to Build Resilience
Discover ways to overcome adversity and put a positive spin on any setback.
![Why Timing Matters](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5537/533688/5fa0e100e23f8/crp_Why-Timing-Matters.jpg)
Why Timing Matters
CIRCADIAN RHYTHM MAY INFLUENCE DRUGS’ EFFECTIVENESS.
![THE ENEMY WITHIN](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5537/533688/5fa0e33df3dd3/crp_THEENEMY-WITHIN.jpg)
THE ENEMY WITHIN
UNCONTROLLED INFLAMMATION UNDERLIES MANY CONDITIONS COMMON IN PEOPLE WITH ARTHRITIS. LEARN HOW TO TAMP IT DOWN.
![Power of Positivity](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5537/533688/5fa0ec7359fd5/crp_Power-of-Positivity.jpg)
Power of Positivity
POP STAR PAULA ABDUL’S JOYFUL OUTLOOK KEEPS HER DANCING PAST THE PAIN.
![Men Who Care](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5537/533688/5fa0ea0ed636b/crp_Men-Who-Care.jpg)
Men Who Care
MORE MEN ARE TAKING ON THE TOUGH JOB OF CAREGIVING.
![How to Pick the Right Mattress](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5537/533688/5fa0d9fa2f0e5/crp_How-to-Pick-the-Right-Mattress.jpg)
How to Pick the Right Mattress
IT CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE FOR YOUR SLEEP AND YOUR PAIN.
![A Doctor's Advice](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5537/533688/5fa0db0f2ee45/crp_A-Doctors-Advice.jpg)
A Doctor's Advice
FOR DR. TRAVIS STORK, A SIMPLE TOE INJURY LED TO ARTHRITIS AND BACK SURGERY.
![GOOD (FOR YOU) DEEDS](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5537/533688/5fa0e79744d35/crp_GOOD-FOR-YOU-DEEDS.jpg)
GOOD (FOR YOU) DEEDS
HOW HELPING OTHERS HELPS YOU.
![Eating to Ease Gout](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5537/533688/5fa0dfac8f2d8/crp_Eating-to-Ease-Gout.jpg)
Eating to Ease Gout
WATCHING WHAT YOU EAT MAY REDUCE FLARES – UP TO A POINT.
![Bad Isn't Always A Catastrophe](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5537/533688/5fa0eb744c2e1/crp_Bad-Isnt-Always-A-Catastrophe.jpg)
Bad Isn't Always A Catastrophe
EXAGGERATED FEARS MAY HEIGHTEN PAIN.