First day of PT

tracydnevins
tracydnevins Posts: 27 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
For people with physical challenges like myself, losing can be very hard and depressing. Today, is my first evaluation for PT. Since I can barely walk, I’m doing water therapy. Anyone else have spinal cord issues?? How do you manage exercise??

Replies

  • Theoldguy1
    Theoldguy1 Posts: 2,497 Member
    No spinal cord issues, but just a couple tips from someone who has worked with a PT in the past.
    • Make sure you do all the assigned exercises outside of your session. Per the PTs I've worked with many people don't.
    • Ask your PT if it's okay to to more reps/sets of the exercises assigned for outside the appointment (obviously without causing issues). Again per the PTs I've worked with this is often fine and will speed your progress. PTs don't assign more because of my first point, people often don't do the exercises outside their appointment. I've requested the PT treats me like a pro athlete where my livelihood depends on recovery. Now because I work I don't have all day to rehab, but you can see what you're body call tolerate and back off from there.

      Best of luck.
  • tracydnevins
    tracydnevins Posts: 27 Member
    I think I may have confused people: PT in my case, means physical therapist and not Personal trainer...lol....just wanted to clarify that. I have a disability, but I want to work getting stronger. Walking would be huge!! Xx
  • Luke_rabbit
    Luke_rabbit Posts: 1,031 Member
    Good luck! Water therapy is awesome. Be patient with your body. I thought I would limp forever after a car accident in 2003 that caused nerve damage (even my PT agreed), but now I don't at all even when I am tired.
  • Katmary71
    Katmary71 Posts: 7,142 Member
    I'm so glad your assessment went well! The first two weeks are always the hardest. I've had 4 back surgeries, last was a two-day inter body double fusion. I've been in about 5 years of PT total between my back and nerve damage issues and was bedridden for years. For me the best exercise was just moving in a pool, then later using a recumbent bike as it supports my back while riding. I've since been able to add modified weights which has made a big difference in back strength and mobility. As you probably know nothing has helped nerve damage, what's there isn't changing. It sounds like you have a good plan, best of luck for a stronger, more mobile body!
  • tracydnevins
    tracydnevins Posts: 27 Member
    @Katmary71 Oh no!!!! God bless you!! Multiple surgeries I can’t imagine only in my nightmares!!! My insurance is only going to cover about 20 sessions, so I’ve got to make every single one count!!!
  • Katmary71
    Katmary71 Posts: 7,142 Member
    Definitely ask lots of questions and make sure you have a good plan going forward! I'm thinking of going back to my PT next year for weight lifting tips, the trainer who set up my resistance training was nervous to give me any core exercises and they'd benefit me the most. I wish I'd taken to PT before but kept getting hurt, I'm so grateful for what I can do now.
  • geraldaltman
    geraldaltman Posts: 1,729 Member
    All the PT I've had this year have been the result of surgeries (2 hip replacements). The best I can offer is to work as hard as your body will allow and accept any all guidance offered by your therapists. Your gains may likely be small, but to you they will be huge! Treat them that way and go for all of them!! I wish you the best during these sessions!
  • tracydnevins
    tracydnevins Posts: 27 Member
    Thank you!!! I definitely will!!!

Categories