There's always a story within a story. The result of my dog Loki being sprayed by a skunk Tuesday night meant that I was granted the rare opportunity to take Dad to Physical Therapy on Wednesday (in between washing the dog and deodorizing the house). Since Dad has re-started therapy I have only what he tells me to go on, as far as progress he's making. If you talk to Dad he doesn't see any progress so he always tells me he's making none. That is not the case, something I have suspected and learned firsthand this week. Here's are some examples of the exercises I was able to sit in on.
Dad laid down on a table with a wedge pillow stuck under his legs that came up to the back of his knees. What I would describe as a 6 inch wide, very lengthy ginormous rubber band was placed around the top of his right foot. The therapist pulled on it a little for tension (as if to pull his foot down) and Dad was told to pull his foot up 6 times. When that was done, she changed positions, providing the tension the opposite way and Dad was told to stretch his foot forward and down 6 times.
Another exercise was to sit on the table with his feet on the ground. Dad was to rock his right foot back and forth, heel to toe. Afterwards she raised the table slightly and he was to extend his leg straight out and then pull it back behind him.
One of the strengths and areas where he has improved greatly is the back motion of his leg. Being able to pull his leg back behind him is something he hasn't been able to do prior to the last few months. She told me he is able to stand and holding onto a bar lift his leg back and up. We talked about soreness in the muscles, something Dad complains about now and again. Part of it is the tightness in his leg muscles. One way to alleviate this pain is to stretch his hamstring and calf muscles. It's not rocket science, but stubborn is as stubborn is and suggesting to someone ways to they can help themselves is different than them actually helping themselves.
You don't think a simple little thing like rocking your foot back and forth or being able to lift it backwards is a big deal, because it's something we do and don't even think about. Walking, standing, sitting, all with balance...they are not overrated movements to take for granted.
Dad laid down on a table with a wedge pillow stuck under his legs that came up to the back of his knees. What I would describe as a 6 inch wide, very lengthy ginormous rubber band was placed around the top of his right foot. The therapist pulled on it a little for tension (as if to pull his foot down) and Dad was told to pull his foot up 6 times. When that was done, she changed positions, providing the tension the opposite way and Dad was told to stretch his foot forward and down 6 times.
Another exercise was to sit on the table with his feet on the ground. Dad was to rock his right foot back and forth, heel to toe. Afterwards she raised the table slightly and he was to extend his leg straight out and then pull it back behind him.
One of the strengths and areas where he has improved greatly is the back motion of his leg. Being able to pull his leg back behind him is something he hasn't been able to do prior to the last few months. She told me he is able to stand and holding onto a bar lift his leg back and up. We talked about soreness in the muscles, something Dad complains about now and again. Part of it is the tightness in his leg muscles. One way to alleviate this pain is to stretch his hamstring and calf muscles. It's not rocket science, but stubborn is as stubborn is and suggesting to someone ways to they can help themselves is different than them actually helping themselves.
You don't think a simple little thing like rocking your foot back and forth or being able to lift it backwards is a big deal, because it's something we do and don't even think about. Walking, standing, sitting, all with balance...they are not overrated movements to take for granted.
