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rivkaMy second physical therapy appointment this evening. We started out with heat packs under my back and cupping my neck. I drowsed for about twenty minutes, feeling the heat seep into my muscles to ease them, and then she spent the rest of the session massaging me. At the end of the hour, we spent five minutes on four gentle, painless exercises. I left there feeling great.
This isn't just different from my previous post-surgery physical therapy, or the intensive strengthening and gait retraining I did last fall. I was in a car accident when I was sixteen, and the resulting physical therapy for whiplash was incredibly painful - solely exercise-based, no heat or massage or hydrotherapy or anything. I feel so grateful to this therapist. It's not just that it feels good - it's really helping.
Misha went to the body shop after work to clear the rest of our things out of our totalled car, and got a better look at the damage than either of us had gotten at the accident scene. Apparently, there was substantial damage to the rear of the car on the passenger side - we'd thought it was mostly the bumper, but he said that once you open the trunk it's clear that there's quite a bit of damage to the frame. And mostly on my side, which would explain why I've had more pain and been slower to recover.
I'm not sure why having an explanation is so important to me. In a weird way, I feel slightly guilty for not being better already. I think I always have a sneaking fear that people will think I'm complaining too much about my health, or that I'm a hypochondriac. That's exaggerated in this case because I have a soft-tissue injury from a car accident, for which I'm going to be receiving compensation. I've worked in a pain clinic - I know the skepticism that greets complaints of soft-tissue pain when there are lawyers or insurance companies involved. I'm certain myself that "compensation syndrome" is not at the root of my pain, but it also seems to be important to me to muster a defense.
I'm relieved that the physical damage to the car substantiates the amount of pain I'm feeling. I was quite relieved on Tuesday when the physical therapist could actually see the swelling in my neck and back. And at the same time I'm irritated with myself for thinking this is important. No one has accused me.
*headshake* I'm sleepy, and not making a tremendous amount of sense. And so to bed.
This isn't just different from my previous post-surgery physical therapy, or the intensive strengthening and gait retraining I did last fall. I was in a car accident when I was sixteen, and the resulting physical therapy for whiplash was incredibly painful - solely exercise-based, no heat or massage or hydrotherapy or anything. I feel so grateful to this therapist. It's not just that it feels good - it's really helping.
Misha went to the body shop after work to clear the rest of our things out of our totalled car, and got a better look at the damage than either of us had gotten at the accident scene. Apparently, there was substantial damage to the rear of the car on the passenger side - we'd thought it was mostly the bumper, but he said that once you open the trunk it's clear that there's quite a bit of damage to the frame. And mostly on my side, which would explain why I've had more pain and been slower to recover.
I'm not sure why having an explanation is so important to me. In a weird way, I feel slightly guilty for not being better already. I think I always have a sneaking fear that people will think I'm complaining too much about my health, or that I'm a hypochondriac. That's exaggerated in this case because I have a soft-tissue injury from a car accident, for which I'm going to be receiving compensation. I've worked in a pain clinic - I know the skepticism that greets complaints of soft-tissue pain when there are lawyers or insurance companies involved. I'm certain myself that "compensation syndrome" is not at the root of my pain, but it also seems to be important to me to muster a defense.
I'm relieved that the physical damage to the car substantiates the amount of pain I'm feeling. I was quite relieved on Tuesday when the physical therapist could actually see the swelling in my neck and back. And at the same time I'm irritated with myself for thinking this is important. No one has accused me.
*headshake* I'm sleepy, and not making a tremendous amount of sense. And so to bed.
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Date: 2002-05-31 08:10 am (UTC)Sometimes PT does not work because they jump to the strengthing part before the soft tissue has healed. My own physican is seeing me now to repair the damage PT did to her for her anterior knee pain. Some PT's have a cookie cutter approch. I work with other wonderful PT's that "get it" about soft tissue problems.
Orthopedic/clinical massage can help restore soft tissue integrity and then the client/patient can move on to stretch and strengthing and neuromuscular reducation where needed in PT.
This sort of massage matches the physiology of the injury (is it mechanical disruption -tearing, straining or neuromuscular -splinting that causes trigger points and short tight muscles. Splinting is the response the body makes to protect its parts and pieces.) Here is an link describing various techniques.
http://www.advancefordr.com/pastarticles/jun4_01feature4.html
I use all of these almost everyday in my practice.
Also here is a web site you might find useful in how you are feeling and may be in your work as well. Its on Invisble Disablities.
http://www.invisibledisabilities.com/websites.htm
I found it in an RSI group, Sorehand. Lots of times people get pissed at people with Repetitive Strain Injuries because they look fine but can't open a door.
Wishing you healing and wellness.