my visit to the stretch clinic

August 8, 2006

I have had a totally awesome experience visiting the stretch clinic in

The therapist I saw is a trained physiotherapist, and boy does he know his

muscle groups. After two session I see a huge difference in my posture, and

also notably have my hips feeling good again (more fluid) and surprisingly

after yesterday's session my knees were more or less facing straight and

tracking up and down with no sideways pull (I have really bad knees so this

is the first time I have seen this in must be about 20+ years!). And we are

working on a shoulder that was knocked when I was hit by a car on a bicycle

to retrain it into place.

It seems that my big need is working on stabilising my joints - I have

plenty of flexibility, just need to strengthen and retrain my muscles to

keep my joints functioning and stable. For example, in the hip area I now

have about 6 exercises, mostly isometric so no need for weights although I

will get some ankle weights to help build the muscles, to work on about 3

muscles in the hip / pelvic area (out of 26 core muscles in the pelvis I

thought focusing on three key ones seemed very sensible). This should help

me to have more alignment and help with the mobility. I also found it

interesting that by working on the pelvic area and making sure it is open

and freely moving, this may have knock on impacts to nerve / energy flows,

as all leg nerves track through the pelvic area.

We also discussed working on the leg muscles that if not used could atrophy

due to CMT, and came up with some exercises (foot flexing exercises) as well

as stretches. I indicated my concern that I would not be able to lift and

strengthen without first ensuring a full range in my Achilles / solus

tendons, and he agreed. So every morning I do this anyway, but now have

more focus to concentrate on the foot and calf stretches to start the day.

I am also encouraged because the physio told me that there was no way this

alone is the answer to problems - it is just another tool in the toolkit.

But I really liked his approach, I felt as if I gelled with him, and I am

really looking forward to adding the routines to my schedule, and getting

into a proper routine!

As I become more in tune with my workout I will post my exercises.

Best wishes from sunny and crisp London,

Donna

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