Saw the Physical Therapist

[Gladiola]

Found a Physical Therapist who is also a certified athletic trainer & takes my insurance!

She poked around & said she thinks it's the hip joint capsule. She said the force of a power clean & the explosive hip extention could have irritated the hip flexors since they were stretced explosively, so the Orthopedist wasn't necessarily totally wrong on his "hip flexor strain" diagnosis. - But the joint capsule is the primary issue.

She we'll work on some exercises that might strengthen the joint capsule. Then she'll help me out with getting back to lifting.

I almost jumped up & hugged her! I told her how glad I was b/c I had an orthopedist saying to do, literally, nothing & a lifting coach saying to ignore it. I knew there had to be some better in-between to rehab it & improve it, then work back up to normal.

 

[teresand77]

that's great! it sounds like you found the perfect physical therapist for you! keep us posted on how the rehab goes.

teresa

 

[VeggieLifterChick]

I'm glad to hear that you found that PT! Sounds like she is even more knowledgable than the orthopedist, and certainly more reasonable than the coach. Did she say how long the rehab stuff would take, or how soon you could go back to lifting? Are you definitely going to keep with the OL stuff? You haven't sounded very happy or satisfied with your training since you switched over, though I think that was also because of the coach. I hope you decide to do what makes you the happiest.

 

[Gladiola]

Hey VLC -
Today was just an eval - I haven't really started to work on rehab yet with her, so I haven't heard any estimates on total rehab time. She mentioned seeing how I do with some exercises & mentioned that we can find ways to quantify my progress to get an idea of recovery time once we begin.

"You haven't sounded very happy or satisfied with your training since you switched over, though I think that was also because of the coach"

You got that exactly right!!! I really don't think I can continue the sport competitively on my own & there are no other options. So as of now, No I am not going back to OL. Still considering PL <<Can see Spatts jumping up & down right now>> and will discuss with the PT possibly implacations of that.

 

[Hannibal]

Good Luck with rehab....

 

[JJFigure]

YAH!!!

Good luck with your PT. Hopefully, she does know 'squat' about PL...

 

[Torchy]

Definitely good luck, G...I wish you well with all future endeavors

 

[makedah]

YAY Gladiola! Good luck. It's nice to hear you sound (via text, of course) so enthusiastic again.

 

[Gladiola]

Hmmm.....I wonder if your PT knows 'squat' about PL. Curious to hear what she considers to be "implications."

Well, since she's a certified athletic trainer, hopefully she at least knows the intricate details of performing the 3 lifts from a physiology standpoint... even if she doesn't know much about the details of training to excel in the lifts.

By "Implications", I figured she meant ways for me to train hard & be sure to strengthen any current weakness, & continue to be sure the joint structure is sound, as well as what signs to look for to see if the joint is becoming further stressed... which is exactly what I want & need.

THANKS for all the well wishes, I really appreciate it!

 

[Gladiola]

1st Session
Started out with the leg press, each leg pedal separated. Did a normal leg press, except as the right foot presses out, the left returns – like in a bicycle pedaling motion, for control. 3 sets of 10 each leg. Second exercises: hip extension – stand at that same machine & kick back, donkey kicks. 3 sets of 10.

Laid on my belly, 5lb ankle weights on, leg raises straight legs, then bent. 2 sets of 15 reps each way (straight & bent). Now supine (on my back) no weights, one knee bent, the other leg straight. Straight leg raises, 48 reps total – 6 sets of 8 non-stop (8 reps at a 2/2 pace, 8 reps at a 3/1 pace…. That patterning is quite familiar to me as an aerobics instructor!)

2nd session – started with the same 2 exercises, then hack squat machine – one leg at a time. This machine, you are laying on it – spine in line, body at a 45 degree angle. My gym doesn’t have that, the only hack squat we have, you are seated, about 90 degrees flexion at the hip (seated, leaning back, pushing slightly up). PT asks me how much weight I do for this exercise & I reply, “3 45# plates each side, plus the sled (which I believe is another 45#).

She says, “I don’t think we have that much weight in here, this is therapy!” she finds as many plates as she can & the woman on the treadmill next to the leg press says, “Wow, he going to do that?” <indicating a big muscular guy currently carrying boxes up & down. PT says, “No, SHE is! She could put us all to shame.”

3rd session. She has me do walking lunges with no weight. As I’m doing them, she comments, “I’d give anything to have my patients do lunges properly!” I give her one of the Body Pump cues I think is beneficial.

She watches me do split squats (stationary lunges) & notices something VERY interesting…. My rear leg, when I’m in the bottom position – the femur angles OUT & away from my body! (the knee isn’t under the hip – it’s out). BUT, my hips are level & perfectly horizontal. Changing my foot position helps somewhat, but the femur is still angled out. She thinks it could be tight ITB Band – so I’ve begun stretching that more diligently.

End of the 3rd session PT says, “So could you lift for your legs at the gym?”
My eyes light up, “YEAH, I’d love to!”
Tells me to go ahead & lift this week, then come to PT later, instead of 2 PT sessions this week.
So tonight I'll do legs & see how it goes.

 

[BuffChick77]

HIP HIP HURRAY!!!
I've been reading up on you (feels like spying almost) - I'M EXCITED FOR YOU!!! Finally, someone that know's her "squat" - hehe.
Best wishes Gladiola!!

 

[makedah]

Go glad - good luck with training!

 

[SteelWeaver]

This is great news, Glads. ENJOY that leg session this week! Aaaah , legs! My favourite training day ....

Good for you!