About Ache & Alchemy
My name is Emma Spivey, and in January 2025, I was diagnosed with moderate to severe degenerative disc disease. I was also diagnosed with gluteal and hamstring tendinopathy almost a year later in December of 2025, which added another layer to my understanding of what it means to live inside a body that is hurting, adapting, and asking to be understood.
Ache & Alchemy was created from that experience. This blog is dedicated to providing guidance, support, and inspiration for people navigating chronic back pain, spine issues, tendinopathy, and the emotional weight that often comes with a life-changing diagnosis. By profession, I’m a project manager, and I used that skillset to research, organize, problem-solve, and piece together resources that could help me move forward when I felt overwhelmed.
My hope is that by sharing what I’ve learned, someone else feels less alone, less afraid, and more equipped to advocate for their body. Living with degenerative disc disease or tendinopathy does not have to mean surrendering your quality of life.
Healing is rarely linear, and progress often takes persistence, patience, and focus. But there are steps you can take to support your body, understand your pain, and begin building a life that still feels full of possibility.
When I’m not writing about spine health, chronic pain, and the messy process of healing, I’m usually hiking, camping, or exploring the Pacific Northwest with my two boys. Being outdoors reminds me that even after pain changes the path, there is still beauty, movement, adventure, and hope.
