Showing posts with label fractured pelvis. Show all posts
Showing posts with label fractured pelvis. Show all posts

Tuesday, 19 July 2011

Physiotherapy vs Osteopathy


Never knew there was a difference. Only knew physiotherapy.
I’d taken to three treatments four weeks after my accident. Without success.
I cancelled my last appointment. What for?
There were some exercises shown. Some movements made. Followed by debilitating pain in the back.
My virtual physiotherapist was giving me more assistance with standing exercises. By email.
I felt improvement.
However, a visit to a hospital for a family member yielded the greatest results.
I watched as a hospital physiotherapist assisted a patient. I poised the question. At that point I was six weeks in. The pelvis pain wasn’t hidden. The clavicle was healing.
“It’s eight weeks for those types of fractures she said,” then the blow, “Six months till you’re fully recovered.”
Not one, not even my doctor had told me that.
I carried on. With the cane.
The eight weeks came. I lost the cane. But I was walking like a duck.
My mother called.
“I’ve made you an appointment,” she said.
A company called Body Logic. Someone she’d met at the pool. They’re from the UK. They aren’t physiotherapists.
Frustrated with where to turn, I went.
Instead of filling out a form I was sat down with the osteopathic practitioner and asked my medical history. We discussed it. He asked more questions. When it came to my pelvis we talked about my failed childbirth (Cesarean), my periods and the fibroids.
Then the pelvic fractures.
After that the fun part.
“Are you OK with being naked?”
Down to my drawers so to speak.
I was told to sit. The first riot act I got was with my neck. The shape. I was told where the weaknesses were and why. Ultimately the computer habit is helping to do the damage.
Exercises where shown. A graphic illustration on how to swim. On the back – not the front.
Then to my lower back. Fingers in two place bend at the neck and bend over.
So I did.
There was a rash of disgust. But in a nice way. It was easy for him to see where I had a problem.
A twisted pelvis.
“I’ve made people pregnant,” he said.
We laughed.
“Not in that way of course,” he adds.
By the appropriate adjustments.
I was shown exactly what my pelvis was doing along with the resulting pain and why my lower back grief in the morning was there.
Onto my back, the legs were next.
The left leg clearly in muscle muddle. The difference illustrated by a lean with his arm. Comparing the right to the left – apples to oranges.
I’d gone down on my left side.
A good baby lotion and muscle manipulation next with different exercises.
Then off to the side.
More muscle manipulation. Tough tissue pain.
Onto the front.
“This takes two of us now to fix your pelvis.”
It was simple. Painless. Fast.
The two worked together. Me on my front. Left arm down. Face to the right. Legs forward and bent and up.
They lifted and twisted.
Then the release.
It was an almost two hour appointment.
Today, life has been bright. I am walking normal.
No more duck waddle.
There is a remnant of muscle twang. Slight. Normal. To be expected.
I am so back to being me.
So grateful for Body Logic.
So grateful for my mother leading me there.
When it comes to physiotherapy or osteopathy.
I can whole-heartily recommend osteopathy.
It works!

Thursday, 2 June 2011

That’s Enough!


Comfort in food. I know it. Who doesn’t?
My challenge, given my healing path (fractured pelvis and clavicle) doesn’t involve cardio or weights.
Not much really.
Kegels. Thigh pinchers. Calf raises.
About what I can manage.
Now for the calorie count!
I count out the almonds for breakfast. Bookended with some fruit.
Waddle through the day chanting “Low fat, no fat!”
Tonight, the family angel descends with low-fat (brownie points) pita chips and… (don’t want to know the fat content) dip.  Yummy dip.
Needless to say I indulge. I savour. I delight.
The call already went out earlier in the day for frozen yogurt (chocolate).
Heave ho there I go. All gone!
But missy Lorraine had some wise words before she left me to my own devices.
Some therapeutic teachings. A visualization with the end result being to tell yourself, “That’s enough.”
No getting up for more. Settle in for the sighs.
Enough is enough.
Haven’t got the frozen yogurt yet. Am promising to practice telling myself before I reach the bottom of the container.
“Yup, that there my dear is enough!”

Tuesday, 31 May 2011

Healing Received


Some people can see things others don’t.
Like Chakras.
It’s an unfamiliar language to many.
I know when I first heard the speak.
After a devastating separation, a close friend asked me to close my eyes. What colour did I see she asked?
It was black.
Not surprising given my state of mind.
It should be purple.
Soon after I received my first Reiki healing. My pain was obvious.
In the heart.
Many use the gift of their hands for healing, using the power of the Universe.
Tonight I was fortunate to have my good neighbour and friend, Tara visit me.
I was comfortable and open to receiving.
As her hands waved across my body she easily picked up my pain and blockages.
No surprise given nine days ago I’d fractured my pelvis in two places, along with my clavicle.
Throughout the healing I could feel tension in my body releasing. At one point my four fingers on my right side sharply raised up in the air. Like a policeman telling you to stop at a crosswalk.
Pinks, purples and blacks swirled as her hands moved to different areas of my body.
She sensed muscle strain and some fear.
I felt a wider pathway to healing received.
For that I am so grateful.

Monday, 30 May 2011

The Pain Path


While you’re in it, you know it. But once it’s gone you’ll forget all about it.
At least that’s what I keep reminding myself.
Especially at night.
Sleeping with a fractured pelvis is a challenge.
I can last three or four hours at the most on my back and then I need to sit up.
Thankfully I’m now able to get up and walk to the washroom.
Seems to take the strain off the lower back.
For that I am grateful.
As I hobble through the day my spirit reminds me.
You are healing!
The pain path - it’s temporary.