More Physical Therapy

Well, the insurance authorized 4 additional visits for physical therapy.  I had the second of 3 pool sessions last Thursday (the last session will be a "dry" session, mostly for evaluation purposes.)  I knew while I was doing this last PT session, Thursday, July 17, 2014, that I was working harder than I had been.  I did not mind, because I want to get the maximum benefit from PT. When I got out of the pool, I was flushed and tired.  I stayed for 15 minutes of moist heat and then, went home. It is good that Spectra is not far from where I live.  I had trouble driving home. 

I fed the kitties, and later myself.  I was so tired I had to sit and rest, just moving around my little house. I was tired, but unable to get comfortable or sleep.  I was too tired. My problem is that my body may be tired, but my brain is very active.  And, I know that if I go to sleep too early, I will wake up in about 5.5 or 6 hours, wide awake, and generally be unable to go back to sleep.

Also, I noticed I had scraped the big toe of my right foot.  It makes sense: in the current, trying to walk in the pool, I use my toes to help me navigate, and I obviously scraped the bottom of that toe on the cement floor of the pool

I was so fatigued, I was very concerned, including that I might not wake up for work in time the next morning.  I sent my coworkers an email saying I might be late going to work.  Then about 10 PM, I went to bed. (My usual bedtime is closer to 11:30 PM or midnight. Tonight, I am still trying to wind down from having been out to a play until 11:15 PM, so it is really not tonight, but early Sunday morning.)

Well, sure enough, at 3:10 AM, I was wide awake.  I used my "tricks" to help me to return to sleep: a drink of juice and relaxation exercises.  That worked.  I tried to sleep in, but the cats wanted breakfast, so I was up at the normal time.  I could have made it to work at the regular time, which for me is about or slightly before 8 AM.  Because I had to rest so much in between doing things to get me ready for work, and feeding the cats, it took longer.  I can usually leave the house about 45 minutes after waking up, but often, I stay home so I will not get to work too early. (I have trouble leaving work on time, and try not to work overtime by not going in early.)  Well, Friday morning took me about 90 minutes to get ready for work, as I had to rest so much.  So, I arrived about 8 minutes late.  Even with that, I had my time in for the week before 5 PM, and left after finishing my tasks for the day.

So, all this to say that I am still in PT, and doing exercises, admittedly not every day, but on the schedule suggested by the PT, at home. I am also using the electronic stimulator device I purchased some time ago.  I think between the two, I am really improving. 

I can say that:  I did house work on Saturday.  The bending and twisting causes discomfort in my lower back.  If I sit frequently, I can alleviate the discomfort.  An electronic stimulation treatment afterwards, along with a certain set of exercises taught to me in PT, can eliminate the discomfort.  I still have muscle discomfort because I am again trying to use muscles I have not used recently. But, I think I can tell the difference.

I have written more than the casual reader wants to read or know.  The point is that although it is difficult, physical therapy can be so beneficial. But, we need to remember to allow for the impact it has on our body and brain.