Hey Phil,
It sounds like you're really getting a work out.  That should help 
too.  By the way, Congratulations on losing ten pounds.  I'm trying 
to loose weight as well.  I'm beginning to have to watch my blood 
pressure.  It isn't high yet, but I don't ever want it to get 
there.  I'd rather lose the weight, which is better anyway, than 
begin to be dependent on medication.   Gee,  anybody reading this 
might think that we're getting old or something.  GRIN!
Kathy


At 04:53 PM 6/8/2006, you wrote:
>I went for my first physical therapy appointment today.  Filled out a ton of
>paper work and then a physical therapist worked with me for about 30
>minutes.  She worked on areas of my back and taught me some exercises to do
>at home.  I have two appointments next week for similar treatments.  The
>next week, one of those times I'll be in their swimming pool doing some
>therapy.  So I will have a couple of days each week at least for the next
>two weeks.  Today I also laid on a heating pad device with four sticky taped
>probes on the small of my back.  Then they turn on this thing that sends
>tiny electrical shocks to your skin.  They feel like four insects crawling
>around on your back.  I got about 20 minutes of that.  She said they would
>also begin teaching me how to lift without using my back so much, how to
>bend over, how to sleep, some of which she told me today, and lots of back
>stretching exercises to improve muscular strength.  There is a muscle in
>your stomach that is in your lower abdomen region, I forget what she called
>it now, which stretches across your entire stomach and reconnects to your
>spine.  I heard about this muscle from a massage therapist a year or so ago.
>This PT said that many lower back problems are do to that stomach muscle
>getting weak over the years.  She began today to show me some stomach and
>leg stretching exercises to do at home on a regular bases.  I had never been
>to physical therapy before so I was quite impressed.  Lots of the elderly
>coming to the place, too, and I listened as the people worked with them and
>saw they were very patient and very friendly to everyone.  So, do I feel any
>better?  My hip, which yesterday was unbelievably painful, and was still
>hurting when I went, isn't hurting much now but my leg down to my knee is
>still very stiff and painful.  It hurts some to walk but as I prayed last
>night very late before going to bed, I thanked the Lord I could still walk.
>Your prayers are appreciated.
>
>Phil.
>
>
>Has He Ever Crossed Your Mind?
>www.SafePlaceFellowship.com