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Principal dancer for the New York City Ballet, Tiler Peck, woke up one morning in 2019 in excruciating pain and unable to move. She was diagnosed with a herniated disc in her neck on an MRI, and multiple doctors recommended surgery. They also suggested she might never dance again. When Tiler asked if she could instead pursue physical therapy before — or instead of — surgery, one doctor asked if Tiler’s physical therapist wanted to be responsible if she ended up paralyzed.
Tiler went from abject despair to dogged determination to heal on her own terms.
And that’s what she did. Tiler listened to her body and sought a more nuanced approach to her neck. In the process, she learned more about herself than she ever imagined. From the physical manifestations of emotional distress to the power of saying “no,” Tiler’s seven months of immobility turned into a process of self-discovery.
As a result, she came back to ballet stronger and smarter.
In this episode of Beyond the Prescription, the dancer shares her insights about doctors, self-advocacy, and the power of knowing our own body and mind. She and Dr. McBride discuss treating the patient — and not just their test results — and the critical importance of more holistic approaches to health and well-being.
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Tiler Peck on How A Career-Threatening Physical Injury Helped Unlock Her Body & Mind