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- Dr.Joni Redlich PT,DPT
A week ago today I sat on the floor crying because I couldn’t find a position to get up that wasn’t excruciating. As a physical therapist it is inevitable that the professional will at some point become the patient. I’ve been there several times before. Once for a whiplash injury, another time for chronic vertigo and a third time for a shoulder problem. My last pregnancy I had a lot of pain in my back, pelvis and legs. There were many times that I could barely walk and trying to work through this was rough. I almost passed out one time from excruciating pain while walking in a store. Advice from my OB and physical therapist friends didn’t help. After several months I found a chiropractor that gave me some relief, but I was dependent on my visits and it was expensive.
39 Weeks Pregnant in 2008
This pregnancy I have had some similar pains return. However, I had a tool in my physical therapy toolbox that I didn’t have last time. It’s a tool that allows me to systematically treat myself. It doesn’t make me reliant on anyone else for relief and it doesn’t take much time. I was consistently able to chase the pain away…until last week. After running to get out of the rain on my loose preggo ligaments I really hurt myself. This time I couldn’t make the pain go away. I could improve it, but then it would return full force a minute later. I was afraid maybe this time my new tool wouldn’t work. Maybe this was it. The pain would be back like last time. I spoke to the developer of this tool and he tweaked the exercises I was doing by simply adding some additional motions to the original exercises. He also suggested increasing the repetitions and frequency. By the end of that day I was moving normally again and in mild discomfort here and there. Several days later and I became completely pain free.
Nothing compares to being able to make your own pain go away. No appointments, co-pays or pain in between visits. Just self-healing. Yes, I needed a conversation for guidance. But that was it. Just a conversation. Am I able to treat myself because of my training as a physical therapist? The answer is NO. Anyone can do this once they learn the approach. That’s the beauty. To learn more watch some of the videos on totalmotionrelease.com.
Stay well, Joni! Thinking of you and your growing family.
Thanks Barbara!
Hopefully you do not have much monger to go. Hang in there.
I can relate to needing treatment myself. After my last pregnancy I can not seem to shake the muscular fatigue I developed when the baby was about 2 months old. Occasional back pain comes along with it all. Yoga works very well for me and I see a noticeable difference if I do not do it. After your post I will explore total motion release more. Thanks.
Thanks for your comments Margaret. I have quite a ways to go- I’m 23 weeks today…but I’ve been completely pain free. I am continuing my exercises if I find asymmetries and resolve them in a matter of minutes. I’m hoping I’ll be able to manage this way the whole way through!