The "PT" Story

It was an ordinary day. 7:20 AM and I'm laying on a table with a moist hot pad under my lower back and an electronic device attached to my back by two pads with wires going into the electronic device. Pretty neat tingling sensation going through my lower back which I can increase or decrease myself. I turned it up pretty high, hoping it will help my back heal faster. Lay there for 10 minutes with the "juice" going through my back, then it's time for Bob, my physical therapist, to go to work on my back. The guy is huge; a little over six feet tall and about 240 pounds. His shoulders are almost twice as wide as mine and his upper arms are bigger than thighs. Plays semi-pro football in the area. Has to be one of the most physically fit players on his team. He climbs up on a small step-stool and begins massaging my backbone. Two months ago I had back surgery to try to relieve the awful pain I had in my right leg. Worked, kinda! I still have the pain, but it is not as intense as it was the last week before the surgery. I am able to do most of the chores around the house, but can only work about 2 to 3 hours a day at my part-time job. When I stand still for an extended time the pain starts to increase. Bob tells me it is related to the inflammation around my incision. I recently took a regimen of steroid tablets to help with the inflammation, but it didn't seem to work. Maybe the physical therapy will eventually help. Since I am on Medicare I am allowed a certain dollar amount of physical therapy before I have to pay for it myself, but It is sizable and will allow me quite a few weeks of physical therapy. After Bob works up and done both sides of my spine and manipulates the muscles in my back, John, Bob's assistant, begins with the strengthening exercises. Places a large rubber ball between my legs and I try to press my legs together as hard as I can for multiple repetitions. Then a large rubber band goes around my knees and I try to push my legs apart for more repetitions. With weights on my ankles I must raise one leg several times and then repeat with the other leg. Repeat the same while laying on my side. Starting to work up a sweat by now. There are some exercises that I cannot do, since the pain in my right calf gets too intense. More exercises are done to help me gain strength and mobility then it's a good-bye till next time. Bob and John both work at the Physical Therapy at Neuroscience & Spine Associates offices in Lancaster. They are both great guys, but I await the time when I no longer need them and I am pain-free again. It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy. PS - Pixs show Bob working on my spine while Bob and John hold me up after an intense workout on the bottom photo.