At 62 years old, Jeff King isn’t just defying age—he’s redefining it. A competitive powerlifter with five world records and the top ranking in three different divisions, Jeff has built a life around strength, discipline, and perseverance. But years of relentless pain nearly brought that life to a halt.

When Pain Takes Over

For Jeff, the trouble started quietly but quickly took over. Severe arm and hand pain gave way to numbness, weakness, and even forgetfulness. His once-dominant upper body trembled under the strain, and powerlifting—his passion—was put on hold.

“I couldn’t even carry my disabled grandson,” Jeff recalls. “That broke my heart.”

Two other doctors offered no real solutions. That’s when he found his way to Dr. Alan Daniels, a spine surgeon and chief of University Orthopedics’ Center for Spine Health.

A Different Kind of Care

From the moment Dr. Daniels walked into the exam room, Jeff noticed something was different.

“He saw me—not just a chart,” Jeff says. “He shook my hand, looked me in the eye, and talked to me like I mattered.”

Dr. Daniels recognized the seriousness of Jeff’s symptoms. After physical therapy failed to bring relief, an MRI revealed the cause: two herniated discs pressing on the nerves to Jeff’s arm. Surgery was the best option.

Precision Surgery at a High-Volume Spine Center

Jeff’s procedure took place at The Spine Center at The Miriam Hospital, where Dr. Daniels and his team perform more than 1,000 spine surgeries a year. Using a small incision in the front of Jeff’s neck, Dr. Daniels removed the damaged discs and relieved the pressure on his spinal cord and nerves.

“When I woke up, the pain was gone,” Jeff says. “I just wanted to enjoy that feeling.”

The Road Back to Strength

Recovery was the hardest part—not because of pain, but because Jeff was eager to get back in the gym. After a few weeks of rest, Dr. Daniels cleared him for full activity.

Jeff didn’t just return—he came back stronger than ever. At his next meet, he lifted some of the heaviest weights of his career, setting new marks along the way.

“I’m 62, and I’m stronger than I’ve ever been,” Jeff says. “I feel great.”

A Life Restored

Perhaps the most meaningful victory came outside of competition—when Jeff could once again lift his grandson. “He started giggling and laughing. That was pretty sweet,” Jeff says with a smile.

For Dr. Daniels, stories like Jeff’s are why he does this work. “It’s always rewarding to help people return to the activities they love,” he says.

Jeff’s advice: “Don’t live with pain. See somebody. See Dr. Daniels. There’s nobody better.”