Of late Ive had another of those troughs that I go on about, and so "Rehabilitation Programme Sal" (RPS) was started about 3 weeks ago. As I said in my last post, I have chosen to take control of this quagmire ;-!
I joined the gym, and tentatively started a programme of movement that whilst a bit scary - I can still break pretty easily and am technically still healing, and as you know, still have all the pain to contend with - its a catch 22 situation if I dont!
The more I 'rest' the more I become a slug. This means that my muscles support me less that creates a vicious circle of pain and frustration. I cant move due to pain that means that to exercise is more painful, Im damned if I do and if I dont! But I took the bit between the teeth and started a programme of movement! RPS as Im calling it!
So Ive been swimming a lot. 60 lengths each time I go. (its a shortish pool so not quite as impressive as it sounds) I swim pretty well so its about half an hour. More than that and the rib pain gets beyond a level that is copeable, but already after 7 sessions I can feel the difference in the spasm in my back and muscles in my intercostal ribs. My Chinese doc has even commented on how much better my back seems! I will get faster and just add more lengths in that half hour as I get stronger. My arm muscles are returning already and my legs feel flexed!
Im doing PT sessions also with a specialist in Osteoporosis, so once I ahve got a bit stronger generally we are starting a programme of weight bearing exercise, lunges etc that will strengthen and tone. Kat has focused on diseases like this as they are increasing and so many people have ligament, muscle and back injuries and the rehabilitation treatment is pretty similar to what I require!
I have also got a bunch of Pilates sessions booked in, the best and one recommendation that actually all my specialists agreed with. The reformer is thought to be a good lesser impact way of building muscle and strength and possibly at some point increasing a little of my desperately absent bone mass!
Im having 2 massages a week and an hour of acupuncture! its lovely so I feel pretty pampered, but its also really helping the general pain management - I highly recommend it! i got a bulk package so the cost is pretty reasonable, even if whilst it feels a little extravagant, I also know that I simply could not work like I am at the moment and live a more normal existence without it! strange but true! and frankly I think its a pretty damn great excuse to justify having a back massage, head massage and reflexology combo every week! yeay!
I have also been hit by the bug going round - a hacking chest infection for which Im now ringing out to the sound of 2 more drugs - co-amoxiclav and doxycycline, so hopefully they will treat the chest and I can get on with the next level of my RPS! its a bit worrying that the scale of my cough right now could in fact crack a rib so Im being a little bit precious about it, but hey - I really cant cope with more breaks right now, I want to keep the run of months with out a break in the black and not the red! Its been since September so im on a new record!
Im also going to try and swap my wine habit for a vodka or spirits one. They are infinitely better on the hangover front and much less fattening, but that can wait until post antibiotics!
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