A Pain-Free Path Back to Running

For more than 25 years, the Ramos Center for Interventional and Functional Pain Medicine has supported patients dealing with chronic and often complex pain. The team prioritizes timely treatment, thoughtful care, and truly listening to each person’s experience. Using minimally invasive, evidence-based approaches, they focus on helping patients manage pain, improve function, and regain quality of life.

Cathy Brant, 65, is one of those patients.

A longtime runner, Cathy had always dealt with a dragging left leg but never got any clear answers. Then, in late 2022, after a boot camp-style workout, she was hit with intense pain. “It was a 100 out of 10,” she says. “I couldn’t function or sleep.”

She tried everything over the next month, from telehealth consults to chiropractic care, acupuncture, and even a visit to her orthopedic surgeon. Nothing worked.

A running friend she met at Benderson Park encouraged her to consider a visit to the Ramos Center. “At first, I told him I’d never go to a pain center,” Cathy says. But after the pain worsened following a fall in her kitchen, she changed her mind.

“I told Keven I just wanted pills,” she says. “But he explained that the Ramos Center doesn’t start with medication. They work to find and treat the root cause.”

She scheduled a consultation and was seen by Dr. Robert Benson. “He was so warm and pleasant,” Cathy says. “He explained every-thing thoroughly and recommended selective antiinflammatory epidural treatment.”

Even with a fear of needles, Cathy felt supported. “They gave me something mild to relax, and they even let my husband hold my hand during the procedure,” she says. “It was so professional and precise.”

The first epidural brought some relief. The second left her pain-free. “Now I’m walking fast again and even started running,” she says. “I tell everyone, especially the older ladies I meet at Dillard’s, that the Ramos Center is worth it.”

Cathy’s story is just one example of the personalized, effective care the Ramos Center strives to provide every day. By focusing on long-term relief rather than quick fixes, the team helps patients regain control over their lives. Whether you’re dealing with a recent injury or ongoing pain, the Ramos Center’s comprehensive, patient-first approach can make a real difference. With offices in 9 different locations through 3 counties, their new Lakewood Ranch office is located at 7305 Professional Parkway East off University Pkwy.