Wednesday, May 5, 2010

Ten things I've learned so far from Physical Therapy*

1. 9 out of 10 people experience back pain at some time in their adult life and I am one of them.

2. Posture does matter.

3. The right chair is important. Slumping on the cushy sofa and typing on the computer (or even propped up in bed) does not qualify. *tears*

4. I should not sit for more than 30 minutes at a time. Instead, I need to stand up and take walk around breaks.

5. Sweep things you want to pick up towards you with a straight arm, don't arch over the table and gather them up.

6. Squat don't bend, when picking all (not just heavy) things up.

7. I have Transversus Abdominus (TVA) muscles... theoretically.

8. Sleeping with pillows under or between your knees is not as comfy as it sounds, but good for positioning the body.

9. StREtch....

10. Walk... Walk... Walk... and Walk some more.

*Fun fact: Many other countries prefer the term Physiotherapy.
P is for Physical or Physiotherapy.
I am participating in Jenny Matlock's wonderful meme "Alphabe-Thursday." You can join her class here at ...off on my tangent... as well as peruse some terrific posts.

Please go check out Ellie's pets on Flickr. The image above came from her photostream and she has lots of other wonderful photos of her pugs and kitties.

30 comments:

  1. I do number eight every night, can't sleep without it. Maybe you will get used to it?

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  2. I'm sorry you are dealing with back issues. Not fun. My older sister has a curvature of the spine, and she has all sorts of back pain. I know I have terrible posture, and it will catch up with me one of these days, but I seem to be a strong little ox and so far so good.

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  3. This is was a great post! My son Nick has the t shirt that he survived pain and torture for 6 grueling weeks to get his body in shape for running season.
    My knee is bothering me. I am going to buy a bike to ride and also get a stationery bike.

    The hubby and I already walk,walk and walk some more!
    Best wishes to you and stay healthy please!

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  4. Steph I am doing everything all wrong...wow you are learning a lot, good tips to pass along to us, thanks!

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  5. My brother has bad back pain and it's terrible. The only time I ever had it was from stress about my mother. Thank goodness once I started taking the anxiety meds it went away. I don't know how people can take it.

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  6. Great info - thanks for sharing and Happy A-T!

    Mine's HERE!

    X LOLA:)

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  7. Love this for 2 reasons, the pug pic (I have a fawn colored pug) and have a bad back too. In these days, who doesn't really? Thanks for the tips, truly... xo,

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  8. Thanks for sharing these great tips.. although I am sorry you are having back pain. My hubby suffers often from lower back pain. I will suggest some of these to him.
    Blessings
    Gwen

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  9. i am lucky to have a pretty strong back...but i had to do pt for a torn achilles several years back...and boy are they tough, those therapists! stretch,stretch,stretch was the lesson i learned!

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  10. Oh dear, I had a real problem with my back a few years ago,,sitting up straighter...taller...thanks for the reminder..

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  11. great tips, i just went out and bought a body pillow today - great for backs :D

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  12. I too am learning lots about P.T. My knee is bending 102 degrees but it needs to bend a whole lot more and if I don't get it to bend, my Dr. will have to manipulate it for me ( not a good thing) so I got some strong meds and am getting ready to go upstairs to do my home therapy and try to get it to bend even more! Wish me luck, as I wish for you and your back!

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  13. Steph, I broke my hip four years ago and now have arthritis in it....do I walk? nooooo. Should I? yessssssssss......thanks for the great p post and practical tips for someone like me!

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  14. Dang it...here I am, on the soft cushy couch...feeling all guilty. But I did walk on the treadmill prior to sitting down to work on my netbook. Does that count? Please tell me it does? ;-)

    Thank you for the tips!!

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  15. Thank you for this wonderful post. MrsC is going through PT now for knee replacement. This is a most opportune post for us...Peace and blessings

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  16. PT must be so exhausting...physically and emotionally. I hope you are done with it soon...and feeling strong and ready to go again!

    You make such wonderful, thoughtful suggestions and it sounds like a good post for so many!

    Thank you for this excellent post.

    As always your stops are part of the magic that makes Alphabe-Thursday so special!

    A+

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  17. Oh, PT is no fun! I am going to print this for my daughter who has back troubles. Great information.

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  18. Great post. I'm also a veteran PT patient...oh the torture! I've had wrist therapy, foot therapy, elbow therapy...it's all hard work. Thanks for the good back advice. The Engineer's back is in really bad shape. I'll pass these along to him!

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  19. A bad back is so tough to deal with. Sounds like you're learning how to live a new way of life. I've had problems for over 25 years, started really young.

    Strong quads, abs, and lumbar muscles give such stability. Sleeping with a pillow is the best sleep both my husband and I ever get.

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  20. hmmm, ive been sitting for a good 30 minutes ... probably more ... but i am going for a walk in about 30 minutes ... i feel for you with your back pain ... i have found strengthening the core works best for me ...

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  21. I am lucky to have a strong back....I hurt it once it was TERRIBLE! It sure made me appreciate the term back pain .....it is a good thing you know what to do to help........

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  22. Thanks for stopping by. I hope things get better soon. Thanks for pointing me to the meme.

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  23. I'm sorry you are having back pain--hope the physical therapy helps! I discovered the pillow between the legs when I was expecting my first baby, and have used one ever since-- I just couldn't go back to not using one!

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  24. I need to follow these directions as well, back pain is never fun - thanks for the great tips

    & thanks for visiting my alphabe-thursday

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  25. I'm in violation of numbers 3 & 4! Great info!

    Thanks for visiting :-)

    Mary

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  26. I'm so sorry that you are having issues with your back. PT will be a huge help. Mom had hip replacement surgery a few years ago, and watching her go through PT was grueling. But it made all the difference in the world. Love the picture! Kathy

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  27. This is a great post for letter P! Thanks for the tips on taking care of back pain..

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  28. Oh yes, I had a bad si joint problem on my left lower back. Stretching is what basically cured me (along with the Lord!). I had gotten to the point that I could hardly walk!!! It took months of stretching, but it worked. I am so thankful. Now I can walk fast and even do a slight jog. I had to learn how to sit and sleep and drive and stand in certain ways too!! I do have to be careful now...but I am so thankful for how improved it has become. It took a long while to get it better!! (I have a slightly twisted pelvis which makes one leg think it is longer!)

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  29. Thanks to all of you for your fun, sympathetic, and caring comments. You are such nice blog friends. Cheryl, I appreciate your wisdom and experience and, since all this, now understand what you are saying about those core muscles. And Nannykim your encouragement and testimony is especially dear, because I think I have just about the same thing.

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Thank you for your comments. They help me feel that I am some how connected out here in Blogland and not just writing to the air.

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