The last time I went to the podiatrist, he suggested physical therapy, and today was my first session. I’ve never done it before. Well, I’ve never been injured before. All of my preconceived notions about it can be boiled down to that one scene in the movies when the temporarily paralyzed person (usually from a car accident) is trying to walk again using those parallel bars and being encouraged by the well-meaning and super-peppy therapist.
You know what? It wasn’t that different. My physical therapist was super-nice with a normal level of pep. There’s a big open room that reminds me of a kid’s play room – well, no, that would the best kid’s play room EVER. It’s more like an elementary school gym for the littler kids with lots of stations. I didn’t get to use any of them (sad for me), but they looked like fun. I just walked, stood on one foot, and then stood on one foot on a cushioned pad. Then she poked and prodded and twisted and pressed and said I’m stiff and weak in some areas, but pretty symmetrical in those deficiencies. Yay for symmetry?
I have some stretches to do, and I’ll see her again next week. The goal is to continue resting until the pain goes away and get me running again. The strengthening should help prevent future pain. I don’t know how long it’ll be before I can run again yet. I was afraid to ask (and also, I have a feeling the answer would be that it’s too soon to tell).
Maybe next time she’ll let me play on the fun-looking stations.