My name is Sue, and my journey with SmartLife Medicine started because I wanted to understand all of my options before choosing surgery. I first came to Dr. Matthew Vogt in 2018 after two orthopedic physicians recommended surgery for a torn rotator cuff in my left shoulder. A physical therapist I had known and trusted for years recommended Dr. Vogt. I wanted a less invasive approach if one made sense for me.
Years later, when degenerative disc disease began affecting my lower back and everyday life, I returned to SmartLife Medicine for the same reason. I wanted a thoughtful approach focused on helping me stay active and independent, so I could continue enjoying the things I love, including gardening, exercising outdoors, reading, volunteering, knitting, and creating art.
Why I Chose SmartLife Medicine
Avoiding Surgery For My Rotator Cuff Tear
When I injured my shoulder, surgery felt like a major step, and I wasn’t convinced it was my only option. After meeting with Dr. Vogt, I chose an adipose stem cell procedure followed by PRP treatment. My experience was remarkable.
Today, my shoulder feels about 99% better; I have no regular pain, and I can do the things I did before the injury. For me, avoiding surgery also meant avoiding the lengthy recovery and rehabilitation I had been concerned about.
Choosing Regenerative Treatment For My Back Pain
The experience with my shoulder gave me confidence to return to SmartLife when I developed significant lower back problems. I have degenerative disc disease at L5-S1, and the pain began affecting simple activities. Getting out of bed, bending down, or seeing something on the floor and wondering whether I could pick it up became part of my daily life. Another physician recommended an epidural, but once again, I wanted to understand what other approaches were available.
Results That Changed My Life
In April 2026, I began a treatment program that included shockwave therapy and magnetic field therapy for my lower back, along with PelviPower sessions to strengthen my pelvic floor and core. My lower back is still a work in progress, but I have seen significant improvement. I sometimes feel sore the following day, but I understand that improvement takes time, and my overall progress has been encouraging.
PelviPower has also become an important part of the process. Strengthening my pelvic floor has helped me feel stronger and more confident in how I move. I enjoy the flexibility of the sessions, and the experience itself is comfortable and relaxing. At the same time, I know I’m doing something important by strengthening the muscles that support my core and spine. Dr. Vogt has also given me exercises I can do independently, which makes me feel like an active participant in my own progress.
A Team Invested in My Success
What stands out about Dr. Vogt is his honesty. He has always been straightforward about what treatment involves and what I should expect. During my shoulder treatment, he explained that I might need an additional procedure rather than promising a perfect result. I appreciated his sincerity then, and I still do now.
The entire SmartLife team has approached my care in the same way. They recommended things they believed would help, including a brace and exercises I could do on my own, without making me feel like they were trying to sell me something. Everyone has been gracious, thoughtful, and accommodating at every session.
I also appreciate SmartLife Medicine’s long-term approach. The goal isn’t simply to address one painful area and send you home. Dr. Vogt looks at what you need to function better and how you can support your health moving forward.
My Message To Others
If someone is hesitant about seeking another opinion or considering regenerative and non-surgical options, my advice is simple: make the appointment. A consultation is well worth your time. Investigate your options before deciding on a path. Being an informed patient matters, especially when someone recommends surgery or another major procedure. My treatment wasn’t covered by insurance, but the results made the investment worthwhile.
Moving Forward
I still have several treatments remaining for my lower back, so this part of my story isn’t finished. What matters to me is that I am progressing in a positive direction. My first experience with SmartLife helped me regain the use of my shoulder without surgery. Now, years later, the team is helping me address my back, strengthen my core, and stay active and independent.
If anyone asked whether I would recommend Dr. Vogt and the SmartLife Medicine team, I would say yes. Give yourself the opportunity to understand your options before deciding what comes next.
Schedule a second-opinion consultation to see how a personalized regenerative orthopedics plan can offer an alternative to surgery.