checking in

[Guest guest]

Back in April, I paid for my plot in the community garden. I have only been to

the garden 3 times, the first two times, I left the garden with such pain in my

back. The last time I went to the garden, I only stayed 45 minutes. I left

without pain in my back; but, got involved with some kind of activity at home

that caused my back to spazz out and gave me pain that lasted more than a week.

I took Tylenol and Aleve to try and relieve the pain, to no avail. The only

relief I got was when I tied a freezer pack to the painful area.

The Nurse Practitioner that I see wanted to send me to physical therapy to get a

TENS unit. I saw the physical therapist this morning and she said that she will

address my back but wants to work on my balance. She said that balance can be

relearned. Funny thing is, I never think there is anything wrong with my

balance until I lose it. I have fallen 3 times over the last month. That's

what I told the therapist. Years ago, I used to walk every day. I could walk

3 miles in just under an hour. Falling didn't make me quit walking until it

became an every day occurrence. I would still go walking if one of my sons went

with me.

In the past, I have been to physical therapy for my back, shoulders, knees, and

ankles. It doesn't really help; except it does make the doctors happy because

I'm cooperating with them.

During her assessment of my balance, she had me walk in a straight line first

with my eyes open, then with them closed. Then she had me keep my eyes open and

walk in a straight line all the will I was moving my head side to side, then up

an down. She then had me sit down and went and got this spongy looking cushion.

It was maybe 4 or 5 inches thick. She helped me to stand up on it. Then she

had me just stand first with my feet slightly apart, then with them together.

She had me repeat the same thing with my eyes closed. My balance was worse with

my eyes closed. I told her that I was glad the sidewalks were not made of that

stuff; but, if they were it wouldn't hurt as much if I fell. Of course, it

would make getting back up somewhat harder.

The therapist thinks that the balance issues could go hand in hand with the pain

in my back. So, that's why she wants to address my balance.

There are times when I feel I can't trust my own body to cooperate with what I

want it to do.

Donna in WA