Aquatics + Fitness - Robin

[Guest guest]

Hi Robin,

A couple thoughts. I wasnt thinking about " formal " therapy in the water, I was

just thinking that if it is okayed by the good doctor that you pursue a small

water program on your own. Really....just find an appropriate (must have stair

entrance....not ladder) pool that has access points and hours that work for you

and has a water temp in the low 80s for regular pool, or a real live warm water

therapy pool that has " open hours " .

If you are having trouble staying vertical in the water I am guessing that you

did not use a flotation vest of any sort and I would say that you would probably

want one for starting out, especially if you do it on your own. I loved my

aquajogger both because it kept me buoyant vertically with little trouble, but I

also liked the feeling of support in the water it gave me snugly placed around

my torso during the first 10- 12 months. My experience was that I just liked the

ability to move around safely and become weightless. I slowly worked up more

dynamic routines for myself as I felt able. DrRand assured me that there really

was not any way to hurt myself in the water since the spine is supported on all

axises and that gave me confidence. Of course absolutely no slipping on the pool

deck was permitted...so care and even special footware might be the order of the

day.

Anyway you asked what else you could be doing at 4 months and thats just my

suggestion....I wouldnt discount your pre-op experience in the water, but I also

wouldnt assume that it hold true indefinitely. At some point if you want to

improve your overall strength and conditioning you will need a program that

works your both your core and whole body safely. For me, that has been only

possible in the water. I can not see ever doing activties like running or

aerobics knowing that I already am set up for accelerated degeneration on every

joint in my body. Walking, hiking and snowshoeing are good activites for me, but

they dont provide the cardio component (except in the mountains in the winter).

Your fibro will of course create challenges in terms of finding whats right for

you, but since its unlikely you will be in any formal PT for the next few months

I was just sharing what worked for me in that period between 8 weeks and

approval to start PT.

As far as sitting comfortably, all I can say is that I sat as little as possible

in the first year or so, and always had a pillow at hand to stuff behind my

back. I detested, and still very much dislike, any chair seat that is not just

plain old flat....no sloping seats. I like to balance directly on my two seat

bones...so a wood chair or one with very little padding is best. In the early

days having a chair with arm rests to use during standing and sitting was most

desirable. But again...for a long, long while after surgery I spent most of my

time at home laying on my bed if I was not doing some task. I was able to use my

laptop in that position....and with our Master bedroom on the first floor kind

of opening to the main house I never felt like I wasnt in the mix of things.

Thats my $.02!

Take Care, Cam

[Guest guest]

Hi Everyone,

I am new to this group after it was just posted on scolio flatbackers. I am now

9 months postop after flatback surgery ( Harrington Rod 1974). At 3 months I

started back just walking on the treadmill. I can never see running again

because it feels like I have " junk in my trunk " ...but at 4 months I put my water

sneakers back on and the gloves that make my hands webbed like a duck and I go

into the shallow pool and walk laps. I do this 3 times a week for 30 minutes.

As I walk, every 5 minutes I do another stroke with my arms. I have taken off

12 pounds (and count my calories)and my body, especially my shoulders now look

awesome. I also feel incredible. I cannot believe after all of the years of

pain that I feel so great.

>

> Hi Robin,

>

> A couple thoughts. I wasnt thinking about " formal " therapy in the water, I was

just thinking that if it is okayed by the good doctor that you pursue a small

water program on your own. Really....just find an appropriate (must have stair

entrance....not ladder) pool that has access points and hours that work for you

and has a water temp in the low 80s for regular pool, or a real live warm water

therapy pool that has " open hours " .

>

> If you are having trouble staying vertical in the water I am guessing that you

did not use a flotation vest of any sort and I would say that you would probably

want one for starting out, especially if you do it on your own. I loved my

aquajogger both because it kept me buoyant vertically with little trouble, but I

also liked the feeling of support in the water it gave me snugly placed around

my torso during the first 10- 12 months. My experience was that I just liked the

ability to move around safely and become weightless. I slowly worked up more

dynamic routines for myself as I felt able. DrRand assured me that there really

was not any way to hurt myself in the water since the spine is supported on all

axises and that gave me confidence. Of course absolutely no slipping on the pool

deck was permitted...so care and even special footware might be the order of the

day.

>

> Anyway you asked what else you could be doing at 4 months and thats just my

suggestion....I wouldnt discount your pre-op experience in the water, but I also

wouldnt assume that it hold true indefinitely. At some point if you want to

improve your overall strength and conditioning you will need a program that

works your both your core and whole body safely. For me, that has been only

possible in the water. I can not see ever doing activties like running or

aerobics knowing that I already am set up for accelerated degeneration on every

joint in my body. Walking, hiking and snowshoeing are good activites for me, but

they dont provide the cardio component (except in the mountains in the winter).

>

> Your fibro will of course create challenges in terms of finding whats right

for you, but since its unlikely you will be in any formal PT for the next few

months I was just sharing what worked for me in that period between 8 weeks and

approval to start PT.

>

> As far as sitting comfortably, all I can say is that I sat as little as

possible in the first year or so, and always had a pillow at hand to stuff

behind my back. I detested, and still very much dislike, any chair seat that is

not just plain old flat....no sloping seats. I like to balance directly on my

two seat bones...so a wood chair or one with very little padding is best. In the

early days having a chair with arm rests to use during standing and sitting was

most desirable. But again...for a long, long while after surgery I spent most of

my time at home laying on my bed if I was not doing some task. I was able to use

my laptop in that position....and with our Master bedroom on the first floor

kind of opening to the main house I never felt like I wasnt in the mix of

things.

>

> Thats my $.02!

>

> Take Care, Cam

>