On physiotherapy

It's probably about time I write something about the physiotherapy I'm doing. After all, it's part of the namesake of this blog, and probably the one thing that will remain constant in my life over the next six months or so.

I'll start by debunking some myths (or thoughts, or opinions) about physiotherapy. It's not fun. The way I'm working, I do the same set of exercises twice or three times a day, anywhere between three and four hours. It's not easy - in fact, it's swift kick in the ass, showing me how much weaker I got over the past few months. Physiotherapy also doesn't make me feel better immediately afterwards - it's not a massage or a warm up. Just like you're tired after going on a run, or how your arms might be weak after a workout, my legs are usually sore and in pain after a physio session.

During the first two weeks after surgery, I barely did shit. My physio involved around two hours a day in a CPM (Continuous Passive Motion device), a device resembling a medieval torture structure designed to move my leg back and forth, to make sure nothing sticks and work passively on range of motion. I also did a few minutes a day of straightening exercises, trying to get closer to being able to straighten my leg completely. Then came the two week review with the orthpedic surgeon, and the green light to start real physiotherapy.

An aside about my therapist - he's absolutely awesome. Chen deserves the credit for first suggesting I work with him, and my surgeon also recommended him. He's very serious, and not afraid to push and challenge me, which is what I feel I need. I think the most important part of picking a therapist is finding someone you're comfortable working with, and trust to help you make the quickest and safest recovery. For my money, no one is better than Yuval (I won't pimp him here, but if by any chance you're reading this and need physiotherapy, get in touch).

And so, after the review I started meeting with Yuval, and he started opening a can of whoopass on me. We started doing range of motion exercises (both extension and flexion), strength exercises (small squats, lunges, single legged squats, etc.), core work, balance work, and some things that can only be described as pure torture (hip raises). He also started me on bike work very early, which shows me just how out of shape I really am, but you gotta start somewhere...

I'm not really sure why I wrote this - maybe so you know what I've been doing at home all day, or what I'll be doing when I disappear in the middle of the day twice a day. Or maybe it's just for me - physio is going to remain a constant in my life for the next six months or so, so it deserves at least one blog post. And look at the time - time to go do my evening session...