I may be done with the hip PT

[redbird]

I decided I wanted one more PT session for the hip, partly so we could discuss what my long-term maintenance/homework is in terms of stretching and exercise at home.

Quick summary: I can reduce the exercise and stretch frequency to three times a week (instead of almost every day), but should do the stretches more often if I'm having trouble. Also, I should start walking more quickly, at least for short stretches. I've been walking much more slowly than had been normal for me, because moving quickly has been the most likely trigger for significant hip pain.

Details :

We basically did the same stretches and exercises as I'd been doing at the previous few sessions (which is why I'd cancelled last week's appointment as redundant). Emily, the therapist, said my form is good on most of the exercises, and corrected me on one (there's a form of standing hip abduction where the leg is supposed to be extended in the 4 or 8 o'clock direction, and I'd been doing 5 and 7, or closer to behind me).

She said I'm stronger (which I knew), and am holding positions more steadily (which connects to that); apparently that's additional progress since the session three weeks ago, when she redid all the evaluations from my first PT session, and remarked on how well I was doing.

We did a trickier version of the single-leg balance than I've been doing at home (though she'd showed me this one at a previous session). I also asked if I could use the bosu, so she brought that over and we used that after I'd done all the other exercises. I haven't been on one of those in years (the gym back in New York had them). Emily had me hold a bar while getting onto it, which I did with no trouble on the first try, and then I stood there without holding on, and raised my arms to the side. Emily suggested I try holding the bar and closing my eyes, which was fine: a bit wobbly, but it felt as though part of that was the distraction of her hands supporting my hips. I said so, but she said she wasn't allowed to let go, I assume for safety/ liability reasons, given that this was the first time she'd seen me use one.

The therapist suggested I come back in three or four weeks (which I wasn't expecting) and check in by phone or email in a fortnight.

Comments

[bibliofile]

So you worked on an exit interview/strategy for your PT? That makes sense.

(I've never had PT, but I've followed discussions of it, including yours of course.)

[redbird]

I tried walking a little faster this afternoon, and immediately felt a sharp pain (call it a 4). I slowed down, but the remaining walk home (six blocks?_ was painful and required frequent stops, despite the rain.