The PT Extravaganza Continues...

Now that I know I have company in the dumb butt club, here's what happened when I next visited PT:

First up was some “soft tissue massage” that was done with a butter knife looking device (otherwise known as the Graston Technique) that I’m convinced is a torture device in third world countries. This is done to break up the scar tissue that has formed around my fracture site and it’s nauseating. He scrapes it up and down my shin and I cringe just thinking about it! Eek!

Then he started stretching and bending me in ways that I’m quite certain are illegal in some states. One in particular involved him strapping himself to my thigh with what looked like an over-sized seat belt. (Based on her song, S & M, I think Rihanna might like this one.) When he was done manipulating me like I was Gumby he lead me into the workout room where I learned a new set of targeted workouts to strengthen my lower legs, specifically my long neglected calves, without putting significant stress on the fracture site:

First up, partial squats with a theraball behind my back. The key is to making sure that when you're in squat that your legs are at a perfect 90* angle.

(Initial Workout: 15 x2)

Next we have heel raises that go straight into a calf stretch.

(Initial Workout: 20 Lifts / 25 sec stretch x2)

Then, toe raises against the wall.

(Initial Workout: 15 x 2, hold each for 5 seconds)

Moving on to toe presses, much like a leg press only you use the tips of your toes.

(Initial Workout: 20 x 2)

Followed with side to side, wide step squats with resistance bands.

(Initial Workout: 2 lengths of the room and back)

Then we have bridges with theraball and also with only one leg. He also added in another bridge where you pull the ball towards your butt and push back out last night.

(Initial Workout: 10 for 10 seconds x 2)

Last but not least, the adductor/abductor machine. At PT they have the standing one but he said the sitting one is just as effective.

(Initial Workout: 15 x 2)

Once I've gotten through all of these they have me ice for 10 - 15 minutes and send me on my way. Once upon a time I could have easily done all these things and then some, not to mention at least three reps of each because I have this thing about doing reps in three's (can we say OCD much?), but not using my lower legs in four months has definitely taken the wind out of my sails. Now I just try to make it through these without spouting obsentities.

PT, or as my Fatha called it Physical Torture, is definitely hard work but I can honestly say I already feel stronger. I do these workouts along with those from yesterday every single day, with three of those days being done at therapy under their direction with variations of their choice. In two weeks, if all goes well I will graduate to polymetrics and get to add impact into the mix which means... that I'm that much closer to running again! T-minus 23 days til my next doctor appointment!