sharonslp
Former BoneSmart staff member
- Joined
- Mar 1, 2011
- Messages
- 3,479
- Age
- 78
- Location
- Middle of the Mitten
- Gender
- Female
- Country
United States
JJ, you are not crazy about the weather. Every time I have a really off day it is invariably paired with an abrupt change in weather for the worse. I think many of us experience this.
PT has a certain value for us hippies. If nothing us, it ensures that we do the exercises, and do them correctly. It also keeps us moving forward. If I'm told I have to do 20 reps three times a week, that's all I'll do. It would never occur to me to do more reps. Or add more weight. I would never stretch myself beyond the basics. PT is great for picking up on the fine points of walking without a limp and helping to correct whatever is preventing that.
But at the end of the day, we hippies won't hurt ourselves if we DON'T have PT; on the other hand, we can do a lot of damage with overzealous PT. The difficulty is finding the balance between the therapy that strengthens and stretches us without crossing the fine line to that which can harm us. That line is different for everyone, so only you know when it's too much. But most of us want to please our therapists, so it's a bit too easy to overdo without realizing it until it's too late.
I think the secret is to stay very attuned to your body signals during PT. You don't have to moan or groan or whine or complain. You just have to pleasantly assert that six minutes on the NuStep is enough today, or ten leg lifts are the limit today....just as you did today. Assess the soreness you feel today....is it a good soreness or is it a nagging ache that shouldn't be there. Depending on your answer, adjust the next session accordingly. Simply stop each exercise when YOU feel you need to. Don't be surprised if your therapist says to rest for a few minutes and try again. And then don't be surprised when that works and you can continue. Or the therapist may suggest a modified version to make that exercise easier...that works too. If your therapist WON'T work with you to come up with modifications, or treats you like you are being a whiner or complainer, then it's time to have a talk with management or look for a different place.
In a few weeks though, you'll be zooming along, amazed at how much you can do and how well you feel most of the time. The light at the end of the tunnel is already in sight.
Sharon
PT has a certain value for us hippies. If nothing us, it ensures that we do the exercises, and do them correctly. It also keeps us moving forward. If I'm told I have to do 20 reps three times a week, that's all I'll do. It would never occur to me to do more reps. Or add more weight. I would never stretch myself beyond the basics. PT is great for picking up on the fine points of walking without a limp and helping to correct whatever is preventing that.
But at the end of the day, we hippies won't hurt ourselves if we DON'T have PT; on the other hand, we can do a lot of damage with overzealous PT. The difficulty is finding the balance between the therapy that strengthens and stretches us without crossing the fine line to that which can harm us. That line is different for everyone, so only you know when it's too much. But most of us want to please our therapists, so it's a bit too easy to overdo without realizing it until it's too late.
I think the secret is to stay very attuned to your body signals during PT. You don't have to moan or groan or whine or complain. You just have to pleasantly assert that six minutes on the NuStep is enough today, or ten leg lifts are the limit today....just as you did today. Assess the soreness you feel today....is it a good soreness or is it a nagging ache that shouldn't be there. Depending on your answer, adjust the next session accordingly. Simply stop each exercise when YOU feel you need to. Don't be surprised if your therapist says to rest for a few minutes and try again. And then don't be surprised when that works and you can continue. Or the therapist may suggest a modified version to make that exercise easier...that works too. If your therapist WON'T work with you to come up with modifications, or treats you like you are being a whiner or complainer, then it's time to have a talk with management or look for a different place.
In a few weeks though, you'll be zooming along, amazed at how much you can do and how well you feel most of the time. The light at the end of the tunnel is already in sight.
Sharon
and hard headed. Looking back, I don't know what my big hurry was. My hip got well in its own time, sometimes quickly, sometimes very slowly, but in its own time. Pushing the limits will only set you back. No harm done to do a little less than you probably could. Give that shiny new hip time to heal.
At the time I was getting impatient as well, but I think it is paying off now. I am off the cane, walking the dog, minimal to no swelling, minimal stiffness. I put up more Christmas lights over the weekend (no ladder) and had no problems.
