I finally started Physical Therapy for my hamstring. I feel like I have told my story to so many doctors and had to do it yet again. They all keep referring me to each other.
I went into the therapist on Thursday and met with Brian, I explained everything and he poked, prodded, stretched, manipulated and twisted my body to determine exactly where it hurt, what was tight, what was sore and what we might be able to fix.
Brian decided that I really should go back to Dr. Leahy and have some A.R.T. performed on my hip flexors, they are both super tight and uncomfortable. I just wish insurance would pay for those visits, but it doesn't. Brian did agree though, that the entire left side of my lower body is "jacked up" as I said.
I was there for an hour and a half! I did lots of different stretches, some cable exercises, some silly bends with a 2.5 pound kettlebell. I think he made me use it because I laughed at the three little bells and said "I have never seen such tiny kettlebells! They look like jewelry!"
Some of the stretches require a partner, I need to find someone to stretch me. Anyone close by and willing - let me know!
The highlight of the session was 11 minutes on this thing, I believe it was electromagnetic stimulation. I had this once for a shoulder injury years ago, I told Brian that it was like an exciting masochistic event as I was in control of the dial that determined the electrical output. How much can I take? It is an odd sensation holding it and slowly adjusting the electrical current.
I didn't have shorts so Brian got these big black basketball shorts and tossed them to me. "I bet you never wear anything like this to the gym!" he said as he closed the door to allow me to change.
I told him that I didn't, but there was the time when I was standing outside at work for hours due to a fire alarm and I called SC and asked If I could come lift to kill the time - did he have anything I could wear? He said yes and when I got there and changed I looked like a rag doll in the huge clothes. I said "Where the hell did you get these?!" and he said the shirt was his (he is a big guy and I think he wore extra large) and the shorts belonged to the NFL player James Jones of the Green Bay Packers, SC used to be his Strength Coach. "They got a drawstring!" he said "Cinch 'em up and let's go!"
Brian had me lay down with my legs elevated and connected the electrodes.
He had it on a fairly high current- I made the mistake of telling him that I have a very high pain threshold.
I have scheduled an appointment to see Dr. Leahy about my hip flexors, funny how the only thing that really gives me relief is the one that insurance will not pay for.
I'll be going back for physical therapy twice a week for the next month and I will keep you posted!
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oh wow. that looks kind of like what they used to rehab my knee after acl surgery. i have a high threshold too and when i was rehabbing with another guy, i was told he was on a low setting and he was yelping. we also used it for some ICU patients who were on bedrest. i'm not sure how much the use on myself or others helped but i'm sure it does have some positive effect.
ReplyDeletewhat's really helping me is the mobility stuff mark makes me do. especially with my hip mobility and shoulders. i've just been having issues behind my left knee and i'm not sure what's going on. almost feels like my knee was hyper-extended and stretched--but just on the outside left.
PT was great today, i really liked it ad this guy pushed me, i was sweating! The electromagnetic stimulation is supposed to stimulate blood flow and speed up healing. I had massage today instead- much better!
DeleteMy chiropractor told me to try to lay off squats for a while..so did the therapist. darn! A week or two? That would be 4 heavy squat days...I can lice I think.
I think its mainly over use....but I do need to work on mobility....
I am a frequent visitor in your blogs, this post is very interesting and easy to read .... I hope to visit again
ReplyDeleteIt's good to know that you are cooperating with your therapist, Kristy. That would definitely help you to get better a lot faster. By the way, I wish you could post a photo about the huge clothes you're speaking of - I find the story quite interesting, you know. :P
ReplyDeleteCandy- The guy whose pants I was wearing (James Jones) is 6' 1" and 208 pounds, The guy whose shirt i was wearing (SC) was a defensive Lineman in college, a gig guy too!~ I am 5' 3" and was about 125 pounds at that time.cUnfortunately I have no pictures...only the memories. LOL!
DeleteIt’s great to hear that you enjoyed your PT session. This is what others don’t know about physical therapy sessions. Some people think that it’s difficult. Well, in a way, and you need to endure it, but after all, it’s for your own good. As time goes by, you will definitely learn to enjoy it. This will help you get back into shape and regain your strength after an injury.
ReplyDeleteHi Sienna, I did enjoy it quite a bit, it's almost like another workout! I enjoyed all of them actually!
DeleteI hope that you are feeling better now. I think it is good that you go for physical therapy to heal your hamstring injury. Hamstring injury can have a long-term effect on your mobility, so healing it as early as possible might reduce this effect. And a good hamstring injury management can also help you in the recovery process.[Madalyn Oconnell]
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