The Human Body is the Only Machine for Which There are No Spare Parts

-Hermann M. Biggs



Today I started a relationship with physical therapy. I've had mild to moderate back pain for a couple years now, but in recent months it's become more severe and I decided to mention it to my doctor. I thought she was over-reacting when she sent me to physical therapy, but now I'm glad she did.

I was intimidated at first. I've never had to explain what my body is doing in such intense detail and that says a lot for someone with my medical history. I was so afraid I might describe my pain too vaguely and not get beneficial treatment. As I kept talking, my therapist seemed to understand more exactly what I was talking about, and as a person, she was actually really nice.

So we started with some core-building stretches, because apparently the core muscles should be strong to prevent worsening problems with age. I'm totally fine with that, because working on my abs is definitely something I need to do anyways. Then we did some stretches geared towards the problem areas in my back. They all came very naturally, and I even remembered how to breath through them from when I've done yoga with Emily and in other situations. I told the therapist it really reminded me of yoga and everything I was doing felt absolutely relaxing, and she told me some of the stretches are actually yoga poses. The one that stands out the most to me is the "cobra", and apparently, I'm a cobra pro.

After the stretches, I got a light but effective massage and did some electro-stimulation. Daddy was right- that stuff feels good! To top it off, they laid a huge heavy heating pad over the electro-pads and let me relax for about fifteen minutes. It was bliss.

We got home at 5, however, and I still had dinner to make, laundry and dishes to do, some packing to get done, (we are moving back into a two bedroom unit this week-yay!), and studying to do. I took maybe a five or ten minute break here and there for the next five hours until we finally went to bed. When I finally did lay down, man was I hurting. Correction, am I hurting. I know it's supposed to be painful when you aren't used to it, so I'm not concerned, but I do wish I had gone to get a heating pad today instead of waiting until later days. All I have to say, is at least it is a productive pain now, and not a wasted one.