More Pool Physical Therapy

I went back to pool physical therapy this morning, and had a good workout! I talked with my physical therapist about having 1-mile walks or run/walks as my next fitness goal, and she really liked the idea! She suggested I wait a while, though, since we still have some more physical therapy work to do. I'm still working on my weight too, through Weight Watchers.

Returning from Injury

I had pool physical therapy again today--it was my second visit. Why?

Well, I sprained my left foot back in November. Then, I hurt my left knee in January. Oy.

I'm happy to report that I'm on the mend, but still have a long way to go in terms of my physical fitness.  I'd hoped to be able to walk a 5K by November, but I think I might need to stretch that goal into 2018.

Water Walking in the Pool

I had a good time water walking in the pool today. I stretched myself to walk 18 laps, which is half a mile. Afterward, I did some physical therapy exercises for the water, then sat in the hot tub for a while. I'm plenty tired today, but am happy that I was able to push myself a little and don't feel injured.

 

Clipart from Clipartheaven.com

Water Aerobics Class

I went to water aerobics class at the gym yesterday morning, and the 60-minute class was wonderful exercise that wore me out! My right IT band is being fussy now too. <sigh> I'll continue my physical therapy stretches and see what I can do about that. It was great to get some good exercise for a change, and nice to be part of a class too. I've missed running with the Raleigh Galloway group.


Clipart from Clipartheaven.com

Physical Therapy Starts Today!!

I begin  physical therapy for my left leg and right ankle after work today! Yippee! I can't tell you how excited I am about moving forward with treatment. I've already started looking at spring half marathons, which may be overzealous (and I have to be careful about that!), but it's fun to dream.

Physical Therapy Starts Next Week!

On Tuesday, I visited the orthopaedist (sports medicine specialty) about my left leg, and she confirmed the diagnosis of IT Band Syndrome. I made my initial physical therapy appointment for next week. I've had PT before, with a high success rate, so I'm looking forward to that!

This afternoon, I saw a PA (physician's assistant) in a foot & ankle specialty office about my right ankle, which has been giving me problems since my spring Couch-to-5K. (I could've seen a doctor, but the wait was longer, next appointment was sometime in November!) I saw my podiatrist about the ankle in June, and he took x-rays ("clear"), poked and prodded (no tendonitis), and prescribed an expensive topical cream (which I've used sporadically).

I gave today's PA the history of my right ankle, and she looked at the x-rays as well as the bottoms of my running shoes. In hardly any time at all, she diagnosed my problem as "varus hindfoot." Basically, I run on the outside of my heels, and seem to be right-leg dominant at it, hence the right ankle pain. My bottoms of my running shoes revealed more wear/compression on the outside of my heels, too. She prescribed ankle strengthening exercises to my already-scheduled physical therapy, and suggested I stop at a nearby orthotic/prosthetic business, the Center for Orthotic and Prosthetic Care in Durham. I stopped in, and they were able to see me right then! Since I already have custom orthotics, they were able to add wedges to the back of the orthotics to help balance my heels. I could tell a difference (and improvement) immediately! Tomorrow will be my first full day in the adjusted orthotics, so I'll keep my fingers crossed that they still feel good in 24 hours.

I feel a big sense of relief that my leg and ankle will be well enough to start exercising again soon! Maybe I'll be able to do some spring races!

Back to the Doctor

Ouch! IT Band Syndrome is back, definitely in my left leg, and maybe in my right leg too. The ankle pain continues to be pesky too. So I have two appointments next week, one with a sports medicine doctor, and another with a physician's assistant at the foot and ankle place. So, it may be a while before I can exercise-doing cardio, anyway. I bet there will be some physical therapy in my future!

Meanwhile, I had an hour-long phone consultation with a nurse in Duke's DukeWell program this morning. This first health goal I'm going to work on is keeping healthy snacks on hand at work and at home.

Trying to Get Well

I've exercised the past couple of days, but haven't felt like blogging. The workouts have been shorter than usual and uneventful, just trying to keep the habit going while my body heals from a virus that's moved from my throat to my sinuses. Can't wait to feel normal again!

I returned to physical therapy yesterday, and was sore after that! Glad I've got three more weeks of sessions to go.

More Elliptical

This morning I did 42 minutes on the elliptical, for 3.12 miles. Had to remind myself that I wasn't in a contest to go longer or farther than yesterday, and that a little variety is good. :) Tomorrow I'll return to physical therapy.

First PT Session

Well, I had my first physical therapy session this morning. It went well, but I am pretty darn sore now! Heather, the physical therapist, talked with me some about my injury and medical history, and worked with my legs to see where I am. We did some stretching and picked out a few for me to do twice daily. Meanwhile, I have four more PT appointments in the next two weeks.

I asked her when I could start running again, and she said to hold off for at least another week. She said that if I started back running now, we wouldn't know which soreness was from the PT and which as from running again. Meanwhile, when I go to the gym, I'm supposed to warm up on a cardio machine (she suggested the seated bike) for 5 minutes, get off and stretch, then do the 45-60 minutes of cardio I usually do (again, she suggested the bike), then more stretching. And more stretching at night. Did I forget to mention that my guads and hamstrings are tight?!

Physical Therapy Starts Today

I did 75 minutes on the elliptical this morning in 2 back-to-back sessions (the most the machine will let me do in one session is 65 minutes) for 5.85 miles and 719 calories. My injury is feeling better, and my cold is subsiding-yay! Nice to feel like I'm healing.

I start physical therapy this morning! Thankfully, it's on campus, just a 10 minute or so walk. I'm excited about it, hopeful that it'll help.

Doctors' Visits

This morning I had my second doctor's visit in two days. Yesterday was a general follow-up with my primary care physician re: my diabetes. Today I met with the orthopaedist at the sports medicine clinic about my self-diagnosed groin pull. I mentioned the groin pull to my doctor yesterday, but today's session was most helpful on that concern. I was evaluated ahead of time by a couple of people-intern types, I think, and then the doctor came in. Both times I got stretched and pulled, and it was decided I have a groin strain. It was nice to know I was in the right ballpark. The doctor also concluded that my quads and hamstrings are tight, and that if I don't get more flexible, I'll be back with more injuries. She prescribed four physical therapy sessions (my first is next week), and I'll return to see the doctor in six weeks.

I'm definitely looking forward to the physical therapy sessions, a brilliant idea. I just looked up stretching online, and found this good, but kinda funny website. It wasn't meant to be funny, but the stretches are demonstrated by stick figures. Primitive, but you get the point! Check it out here. The stretch to the left, from this website, is called Bum Stretch # 2.