I'm in Therapy
Oct. 6th, 2009 08:43 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
livingdebI went to a physical therapy appointment the same day I had my mammogram because it was in the same building. Actually, because my shoulder problem is almost, but not quite healed, and I wanted to finish up the healing and get ideas on how to prevent this problem in the future.
Well, first the physical therapist tested the extent of my injury very thoroughly. She had me move my arm in various ways and compared that to my other arm. She even used a measuring tool (seemed like a protractor) of some kind. There were actual significant differences in how far I could move my arm, generally about 15 degrees. The difference feels more like 3-5 degrees, but that's because I'm compensating.
She also pushed against my arms in various directions and had me push back, very politely calling my good arm "strong." Ha!
Then she massaged and pushed against parts of my shoulder in various ways that reminded me of a massage therapist, only it never really hurt.
Then she pulled out a model of a human shoulder joint and explained how it's the most amazing joint in the body. I said that the hip was also a ball-and-socket joint, but she said that the hip socket had a better edge for holding the ball of the hip bone in whereas with the shoulder joint you really need all your muscles and ligaments to be working properly.
Then she explained that there's a tiny little space inside there that can get quite cramped when you don't use certain muscles in the back of the shoulder. And people who sit crouched in front of the computer all day like I do or slumped forward driving in their cars tend to be weak in this area. So finally she gave me an exercise to do.
I stand in front of a wall and lean my elbows and forearms against the wall so that my upper arms are parallel to the floor and my hands are clasped. I put one foot in front of the other (and a little to the side). Then I raise my shoulders and then lower them as far as I can using upper back muscles. Basically, this feels a lot like getting into proper dance position for smooth ballroom dances. She said she's happy to see that ballroom dance is getting popular for just this reason. (I later remembered that most instructors don't actually get around to teaching that for social dancing. Will I have the heart to tell her?) I am to do several sets of ten of those each day.
Then she gave me another exercise which is to sit with my feet flat on the floor and lower my shoulders the same way, making sure not to arch or slouch my back, and hold it down there for ten seconds. I am to do that several times a day. She said this should be no problem because I can do it sitting at my desk or sitting on the couch watching TV. I can also do it riding the bus.
Then she had me set up four more weekly appointments plus a fifth (probably final) check-up appointment.
I wonder how much this would cost without insurance. I wonder if it will work.
Savings story of the day - My car was in the shop so they could fix the air conditioner again. Third time's the charm, right? I asked what payment methods they took. He said, "Visa, Mastercard, [long pause], cash, and checks." I asked, "Is there a cash discount?" He said, "Ten percent." And that's how I saved $87.50.
Well, first the physical therapist tested the extent of my injury very thoroughly. She had me move my arm in various ways and compared that to my other arm. She even used a measuring tool (seemed like a protractor) of some kind. There were actual significant differences in how far I could move my arm, generally about 15 degrees. The difference feels more like 3-5 degrees, but that's because I'm compensating.
She also pushed against my arms in various directions and had me push back, very politely calling my good arm "strong." Ha!
Then she massaged and pushed against parts of my shoulder in various ways that reminded me of a massage therapist, only it never really hurt.
Then she pulled out a model of a human shoulder joint and explained how it's the most amazing joint in the body. I said that the hip was also a ball-and-socket joint, but she said that the hip socket had a better edge for holding the ball of the hip bone in whereas with the shoulder joint you really need all your muscles and ligaments to be working properly.
Then she explained that there's a tiny little space inside there that can get quite cramped when you don't use certain muscles in the back of the shoulder. And people who sit crouched in front of the computer all day like I do or slumped forward driving in their cars tend to be weak in this area. So finally she gave me an exercise to do.
I stand in front of a wall and lean my elbows and forearms against the wall so that my upper arms are parallel to the floor and my hands are clasped. I put one foot in front of the other (and a little to the side). Then I raise my shoulders and then lower them as far as I can using upper back muscles. Basically, this feels a lot like getting into proper dance position for smooth ballroom dances. She said she's happy to see that ballroom dance is getting popular for just this reason. (I later remembered that most instructors don't actually get around to teaching that for social dancing. Will I have the heart to tell her?) I am to do several sets of ten of those each day.
Then she gave me another exercise which is to sit with my feet flat on the floor and lower my shoulders the same way, making sure not to arch or slouch my back, and hold it down there for ten seconds. I am to do that several times a day. She said this should be no problem because I can do it sitting at my desk or sitting on the couch watching TV. I can also do it riding the bus.
Then she had me set up four more weekly appointments plus a fifth (probably final) check-up appointment.
I wonder how much this would cost without insurance. I wonder if it will work.
Savings story of the day - My car was in the shop so they could fix the air conditioner again. Third time's the charm, right? I asked what payment methods they took. He said, "Visa, Mastercard, [long pause], cash, and checks." I asked, "Is there a cash discount?" He said, "Ten percent." And that's how I saved $87.50.