Re: PT Exercises

[Guest guest]

In part E where I describe how to roll one's feet, this is done for 2

laps walking SIDEWAYS.

I'll continue to read my own notes and see if there is anything

else I missed!

Lana

[Guest guest]

Hi Tammy,

Thanks for taking the time to share these helpful hints. I'm sure

they'll come in handy for many here.

Take Care,

Georgina

Tammy Fiffick wrote:

> I thought that although there's nothing better than the

> " real " thing listed below are P.T. exercises that they have

> Gabby do throughout the week. Sometimes I think other than

> physically measuring her progress and " playing " abit more

> with her - we're doing just as well at home.

>

> She likes to bounce on her toes (to stretch her heel cords)

> on the steps holding onto the railing on both sides. She

> hangs onto the steps by her toes and gently bounces up and

> down.

>

> They also have her doing stretching with a t-towel under

> her foot but pulling on both sides of it towards her with

> her leg extended (again to stretch her heel cords).

>

> Her & her sister do " Papa Bear/Mama Bear & Baby Bear "

> together against the door. Back against the door start by

> having feet outwards a bit slightly apart and slowly slide

> down the door and hold the position.

>

> Do a " face pushup " into the door with your nose keeping one

> foot up against the door and the other foot (heel down)

> behind the other one.

>

> Just a hint as to what we do...Thanks!

>

> Tammy

[Guest guest]

Sure--if you send me self-addressed, stamped envelope. I can give you

my address in a private e-mail if you wish. My e-mail is:

dcvaughan@....

Carol

>

> Hi Carol

>

> Compliments of the Season to you.

>

> I am a new member living in Perth, Australia. I was searching the site

> for anything on pilates and came across your letter of 13 October to

> " Debbie " . I have not been able to find a physio here who has any

> understanding of Harrington rods. I have had mine for 40 years - they

> were put in in South Africa - & they are still in place. Now that I

> am older I find that I am really in need of exercise & am finding it

> extremely difficult to find a program. You mentioned that you had the

> exercises you got when you went to PT. Would you be prepared to send

> them to me? I will quite understand if you say no.

>

> Thanks

> Deirdre

>

[Guest guest]

Dierdre,

I saw your post and thought you might like to take a look at

the book, Pilates for Fragile Backs:

Recovering Strength After Surgery, Injury, or Other Back Problems.

You can see it at www.amazon.com and www.pilatesforfragilebacks.com

..

The book is based on Pilates exercises modified for fused

spines.

The good news is that these exercises, primarily on the

Pilates Reformer, are very safe for fragile spines; the bad news is that you

need to be able to pay for about 8 private instructions sessions with a Pilates

instructor. In the US,

it’s possible to find Pilates studios that offer a much reduced fee for “physical

therapy Pilates.” I don’t know if this is true for Australia, as

well.

If you can find an affordable instructor, take the book with

you to your sessions to help her/him understand your limitations and how to

work around them.

Also, once you learn these exercises, you can either do a

version of them at home with no equipment, or you can buy a very cheap Reformer

(about $300). I realize these costs are prohibitive for many.

Whatever you do, DO NOT take Pilates mat classes. They are

meant for healthy, strong [young] backs, though not all instructors will tell

you so.

Best of luck,

Andra