settling in to your new posture

[Guest guest]

Sharon,

I am so happy to read that you are doing SO well and I can't wait to

see your new posture and your new behind!! hehe.

Please take it easy. okay?

RE: new posture. I only learned at the yoga retreat that I was

overcompensating. I was leaning way back. Standing upright felt wrong

to me...like I was leaning forward. I have beautiful posture now but

I was making it wrong. I think my brain is still confused. Since the

yoga session, I've been making an effort to stand in front of a

mirror for 10 to 15 minutes a day positioned correctly and I just

stand and breath. I also try to remember when I am standing in a

checkout line or whatever to think about my posture. It seems to be

making a big difference for me and the hip pain I had been

experiencing is way down. Although, I've also been on vacation ...so

I hope that it doesn't return when I go back to work...we'll see.

Anyway...I encourage you and ALL the revision folks to spend some

time in front of the mirror.

I wish Rand had sent me for PT postop. I would have caught this

earlier. I plan on speaking to him about this.

Keep up the good work! Ann

[Guest guest]

Ann,

I was so confused about what was standing up straight, I had to find

a therapist who specialized in posture to straighten me out. First

I could not get my arms to hang right, I was standing 20 degrees

deflected off my hips, I couldn't find a comfortable position for my

head. I was all confused. A few exercises and a posture expert did

the trick but only after four months of core strengthening. I think

it should be mandatory considering we are all off kilter prior to

surgery.

>

> Sharon,

> I am so happy to read that you are doing SO well and I can't wait

to

> see your new posture and your new behind!! hehe.

>

> Please take it easy. okay?

>

> RE: new posture. I only learned at the yoga retreat that I was

> overcompensating. I was leaning way back. Standing upright felt

wrong

> to me...like I was leaning forward. I have beautiful posture now

but

> I was making it wrong. I think my brain is still confused. Since

the

> yoga session, I've been making an effort to stand in front of a

> mirror for 10 to 15 minutes a day positioned correctly and I just

> stand and breath. I also try to remember when I am standing in a

> checkout line or whatever to think about my posture. It seems to

be

> making a big difference for me and the hip pain I had been

> experiencing is way down. Although, I've also been on

vacation ...so

> I hope that it doesn't return when I go back to work...we'll see.

>

> Anyway...I encourage you and ALL the revision folks to spend some

> time in front of the mirror.

>

> I wish Rand had sent me for PT postop. I would have caught this

> earlier. I plan on speaking to him about this.

>

> Keep up the good work! Ann

>

[Guest guest]

,

I agree completely. And I wonder how much of our post op pain has to do with poor posture. How can we know how to carry ourselves when we've been given a new structure? I think posture is neglected.

Bonnie

[ ] Re: settling in to your new posture

Ann,I was so confused about what was standing up straight, I had to find a therapist who specialized in posture to straighten me out. First I could not get my arms to hang right, I was standing 20 degrees deflected off my hips, I couldn't find a comfortable position for my head. I was all confused. A few exercises and a posture expert did the trick but only after four months of core strengthening. I think it should be mandatory considering we are all off kilter prior to surgery. >> Sharon,> I am so happy to read that you are doing SO well and I can't wait to > see your new posture and your new behind!! hehe. > > Please take it easy. okay?> > RE: new posture. I only learned at the yoga retreat that I was > overcompensating. I was leaning way back. Standing upright felt wrong > to me...like I was leaning forward. I have beautiful posture now but > I was making it wrong. I think my brain is still confused. Since the > yoga session, I've been making an effort to stand in front of a > mirror for 10 to 15 minutes a day positioned correctly and I just > stand and breath. I also try to remember when I am standing in a > checkout line or whatever to think about my posture. It seems to be > making a big difference for me and the hip pain I had been > experiencing is way down. Although, I've also been on vacation ...so > I hope that it doesn't return when I go back to work...we'll see. > > Anyway...I encourage you and ALL the revision folks to spend some > time in front of the mirror. > > I wish Rand had sent me for PT postop. I would have caught this > earlier. I plan on speaking to him about this.> > Keep up the good work! Ann>

[Guest guest]

Bonnie, Indeed, I mean, my goodness, if there is a whole new

structure there how do we know how to carry it? I didn't. I am much

better now but at first wow! what a mess.

> >

> > Sharon,

> > I am so happy to read that you are doing SO well and I can't

wait

> to

> > see your new posture and your new behind!! hehe.

> >

> > Please take it easy. okay?

> >

> > RE: new posture. I only learned at the yoga retreat that I was

> > overcompensating. I was leaning way back. Standing upright

felt

> wrong

> > to me...like I was leaning forward. I have beautiful posture

now

> but

> > I was making it wrong. I think my brain is still confused.

Since

> the

> > yoga session, I've been making an effort to stand in front of

a

> > mirror for 10 to 15 minutes a day positioned correctly and I

just

> > stand and breath. I also try to remember when I am standing in

a

> > checkout line or whatever to think about my posture. It seems

to

> be

> > making a big difference for me and the hip pain I had been

> > experiencing is way down. Although, I've also been on

> vacation ...so

> > I hope that it doesn't return when I go back to work...we'll

see.

> >

> > Anyway...I encourage you and ALL the revision folks to spend

some

> > time in front of the mirror.

> >

> > I wish Rand had sent me for PT postop. I would have caught

this

> > earlier. I plan on speaking to him about this.

> >

> > Keep up the good work! Ann

> >

>

[Guest guest]

It really is amazing isn't it? These docs who do revision surgery

are well aware that all our problems stem from a loss of saggital

balance...and even us lay people know that there is both the

skelatal AND muscular system that holds this ol' body in

place....yet they finish up their work and seem relatively unaware

how signifigant a change in supporting musclature is required to

support this new posture. Or maybe not,...maybe that is why they

tell us to just walk? All I know is they don't live in our bodies.

The thing too is how " fixed " it is. On top of stregthening and

stretching, you really have to relearn which muscles are called upon

to maintain your balance. This is not a small thing for a toddler

learning to walk...and it is not a small thing coming out of surgery

without the stamina to hold it all where it now needs to go.

Like Ann, I spent a fair amount of time in front of a

mirror...amazed mostly at the difference between what felt " right "

and what was in fact standing with my pelvis in the same plane as my

skull.

I have found that continuing to build all the muscles used for

holding this all together has been a great focus for my

activities...up to and including, balancing poses. My PT had me

practice standing, then slowly lifting one leg up until the knee is

at a 90 deg. angle and hold as long as possible. Repeat other side.

Then....the real kicker...do it with eyes closed. It really calls

upon every part of your proprioceptive capabilitly and mucle

strength to keep from falling over...but as she says...this is what

will save you in a fall or a stummble...and maybe save a fracture

down the road. It is interesting to watch how it has very slowly

improved.

It takes time...and it is never going to be the same as having a

spine with lots of mobile segments...but it does seem like there is

room to improve long after the fusion has come together. So keep the

faith Val and keep workin' it...I bet you are on the right track.

Cam

[Guest guest]

Cam,

Me, too, I hope.

I'm going to ask my PT about your balancing exercises.

Bonnie

[ ] Re: settling in to your new posture

It really is amazing isn't it? These docs who do revision surgery are well aware that all our problems stem from a loss of saggital balance...and even us lay people know that there is both the skelatal AND muscular system that holds this ol' body in place....yet they finish up their work and seem relatively unaware how signifigant a change in supporting musclature is required to support this new posture. Or maybe not,...maybe that is why they tell us to just walk? All I know is they don't live in our bodies.The thing too is how "fixed" it is. On top of stregthening and stretching, you really have to relearn which muscles are called upon to maintain your balance. This is not a small thing for a toddler learning to walk...and it is not a small thing coming out of surgery without the stamina to hold it all where it now needs to go.Like Ann, I spent a fair amount of time in front of a mirror...amazed mostly at the difference between what felt "right" and what was in fact standing with my pelvis in the same plane as my skull.I have found that continuing to build all the muscles used for holding this all together has been a great focus for my activities...up to and including, balancing poses. My PT had me practice standing, then slowly lifting one leg up until the knee is at a 90 deg. angle and hold as long as possible. Repeat other side. Then....the real kicker...do it with eyes closed. It really calls upon every part of your proprioceptive capabilitly and mucle strength to keep from falling over...but as she says...this is what will save you in a fall or a stummble...and maybe save a fracture down the road. It is interesting to watch how it has very slowly improved. It takes time...and it is never going to be the same as having a spine with lots of mobile segments...but it does seem like there is room to improve long after the fusion has come together. So keep the faith Val and keep workin' it...I bet you are on the right track.Cam

[Guest guest]

Cam,

Do you hold on to something when you do that exercise (lifting your knee to a 90 degree angle....)?

Bonnie

[ ] Re: settling in to your new posture

It really is amazing isn't it? These docs who do revision surgery are well aware that all our problems stem from a loss of saggital balance...and even us lay people know that there is both the skelatal AND muscular system that holds this ol' body in place....yet they finish up their work and seem relatively unaware how signifigant a change in supporting musclature is required to support this new posture. Or maybe not,...maybe that is why they tell us to just walk? All I know is they don't live in our bodies.The thing too is how "fixed" it is. On top of stregthening and stretching, you really have to relearn which muscles are called upon to maintain your balance. This is not a small thing for a toddler learning to walk...and it is not a small thing coming out of surgery without the stamina to hold it all where it now needs to go.Like Ann, I spent a fair amount of time in front of a mirror...amazed mostly at the difference between what felt "right" and what was in fact standing with my pelvis in the same plane as my skull.I have found that continuing to build all the muscles used for holding this all together has been a great focus for my activities...up to and including, balancing poses. My PT had me practice standing, then slowly lifting one leg up until the knee is at a 90 deg. angle and hold as long as possible. Repeat other side. Then....the real kicker...do it with eyes closed. It really calls upon every part of your proprioceptive capabilitly and mucle strength to keep from falling over...but as she says...this is what will save you in a fall or a stummble...and maybe save a fracture down the road. It is interesting to watch how it has very slowly improved. It takes time...and it is never going to be the same as having a spine with lots of mobile segments...but it does seem like there is room to improve long after the fusion has come together. So keep the faith Val and keep workin' it...I bet you are on the right track.Cam

[Guest guest]

Bonnie,

I am thinking we can all achieve more core strength through recruiting

some of the smaller muscles into helping us " re-align " . What has

surprised me is how much has changed in my body the last year...and at

that time I would have told you I was " done " healing. Not so. I

really think now that we come out of surgery in pretty poor condition

from a muscular standpoint...we have been pretty inactive leading up

to the surgery...usually for at least a year...maybe more. Then we are

so wiped out from surgery, and unless your experience was way

different than mine...we are fighting an uphill battle trying to

figure out what you need to do to get ourselves well. Surgeons do

surgery...they don't necessarily manage recovery!

And our surgeons don't live in our bodies....and as sympathetic as

they may be...none of them can know what is necessary to get to good

function afterward. I think they are still guessing. We have to go get

it ourselves...PT, pain control, postural alignement, the works. That

is what is so great about this forum....sharing info on what is

helping others.

Please let me know what your PT says and what she gives you for

exercises...I might suggest it to mine.

Take Care, Cam

[Guest guest]

Bonnie,

You can start out with a chair at your side. When you have your eyes

open you will find it relatively easy to balance...although

depending on the strength of your ab/hips etc. you may not be able

to hold it long. (If you have someone to time you or can see a clock

you can see if you are progressing).

After you have an idea of what the move feels like, put your hand on

the chair if you need it to steady yourself...but then put it

alongside you before your close your eyes because the littlest

movement will change your balance spot. Don't fall.....just have fun

and see how long you can hold that position! Switch legs...you will

no doubt find one side harder than the other.

This is a time I really notice the most how these long fusions

prevent us from making those liitle corrections in the torso to keep

balanced. I think its an easy way to improve balance...and maybe

build a little muscle.

Let me know how you do.

Take Care,

[Guest guest]

Hi all,

Thanks for your concern. I will look into all of your suggestions.

[Guest guest]

Cam,

I really think you are on to something. I think there is much about recovery that docs don't know. Or don't know how to deal with. After all, they are surgeons. As nice and caring as some of them are, as long as the surgery itself is successful, they consider their job done. However... ever hear the expression "won the battle but lost the war"?

I'll let you know what my therapist says. By the way, she's already got me standing up straight. 8 1/2 years after revision surgery!

Bonnie

[ ] Re: settling in to your new posture

Bonnie,I am thinking we can all achieve more core strength through recruiting some of the smaller muscles into helping us "re-align". What has surprised me is how much has changed in my body the last year...and at that time I would have told you I was "done" healing. Not so. I really think now that we come out of surgery in pretty poor condition from a muscular standpoint...we have been pretty inactive leading up to the surgery...usually for at least a year...maybe more. Then we are so wiped out from surgery, and unless your experience was way different than mine...we are fighting an uphill battle trying to figure out what you need to do to get ourselves well. Surgeons do surgery...they don't necessarily manage recovery!And our surgeons don't live in our bodies....and as sympathetic as they may be...none of them can know what is necessary to get to good function afterward. I think they are still guessing. We have to go get it ourselves...PT, pain control, postural alignement, the works. That is what is so great about this forum....sharing info on what is helping others.Please let me know what your PT says and what she gives you for exercises...I might suggest it to mine.Take Care, Cam

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 11/1/2006 12:02:02 AM Eastern Standard Time, writes:

I'll let you know what my therapist says. By the way, she's already got me standing up straight. 8 1/2 years after revision surgery!

Am I understanding that I am not the only re-revision patient who can't stand up straight? I will be a year post re-revsion in December and I still can not stand up straight! I haven't been very active since 2002 and have done three rounds of PT since then, but nothing in the last year. Oops...I did swim four days a week for about 12 weeks this past summer but gave up when the pain level didn't decrease. I'll be seeing my surgeon in two weeks and am planning to ask for PT as much as I hate the thought of actually excercising! I am sick of looking like the "crooked lady"!

June-NJ

[Guest guest]

June...

Have you discussed this with your surgeon?

--

On 11/2/06 4:06 PM, " june08816@... " <june08816@...> wrote:

Am I understanding that I am not the only re-revision patient who can't stand up straight? I will be a year post re-revsion in December and I still can not stand up straight! I haven't been very active since 2002 and have done three rounds of PT since then, but nothing in the last year. Oops...I did swim four days a week for about 12 weeks this past summer but gave up when the pain level didn't decrease. I'll be seeing my surgeon in two weeks and am planning to ask for PT as much as I hate the thought of actually excercising! I am sick of looking like the " crooked lady " !

June-NJ