- Joined
- Nov 18, 2014
- Messages
- 4,887
- Reason
- PALS
- Diagnosis
- 08/2015
- Country
- US
- State
- South
- City
- The Beach
I had my first appointment with the physical therapist today. I was with him for an hour and a half and he did a thorough evaluation. He has worked with MS patients (one was there at the time I signed in) and he actually requested more information about ALS. He understood the disease but thought he and I could come up with a handout for other PTs and PTAs in his practice and in our area.
Anyway, he said my torn rotator cuff along with the tendinitis might benefit from very gentle, hands-on therapy and some of the high tech soothing devices. He agreed with the orthopedist who thought, despite a negative MRI in February, that I still might have a torn meniscus. We talked about my water therapy routine and he gave me some suggestions. He evaluated my gait and gave me some tips about posture during card games and other events where I sit for a long time. He noticed that I crossed my legs a lot and it was throwing my posture off.
After all the balance and strength testing he gave me a quick massage on my shoulders and said all his therapists were trained in gentle massage and the sessions always ended with a short massage. He also has LMTs on staff if I ever want a full body massage.
So I committed to twice a week for six weeks. Then my neurologist and orthopedist with reassess and decide if they want another MRI of my knee.
Another good thing is that he has OTs on staff and good relationships with a number of doctors in the area, including my local neurologist. He also didn't faint or gasp when I told him I used medical cannabis.
So all things considered, it was a productive and positive visit.
I also met a lady in the waiting room and noticed she was wearing a pair of Nike sneakers with a very wide toe box. I asked her where she got them and she said they were men's size 8. She let me try them on and they felt very stable. She said she was a runner and switched to men's running shoes because her toes always hurt after a run. So I'm going to Dick's and taking a look at men's sneakers. Footwear has been a challenge since I sprained my ankle in 2016. Thank goodness Amazon has free returns on prime.
Anyway, he said my torn rotator cuff along with the tendinitis might benefit from very gentle, hands-on therapy and some of the high tech soothing devices. He agreed with the orthopedist who thought, despite a negative MRI in February, that I still might have a torn meniscus. We talked about my water therapy routine and he gave me some suggestions. He evaluated my gait and gave me some tips about posture during card games and other events where I sit for a long time. He noticed that I crossed my legs a lot and it was throwing my posture off.
After all the balance and strength testing he gave me a quick massage on my shoulders and said all his therapists were trained in gentle massage and the sessions always ended with a short massage. He also has LMTs on staff if I ever want a full body massage.
So I committed to twice a week for six weeks. Then my neurologist and orthopedist with reassess and decide if they want another MRI of my knee.
Another good thing is that he has OTs on staff and good relationships with a number of doctors in the area, including my local neurologist. He also didn't faint or gasp when I told him I used medical cannabis.
So all things considered, it was a productive and positive visit.
I also met a lady in the waiting room and noticed she was wearing a pair of Nike sneakers with a very wide toe box. I asked her where she got them and she said they were men's size 8. She let me try them on and they felt very stable. She said she was a runner and switched to men's running shoes because her toes always hurt after a run. So I'm going to Dick's and taking a look at men's sneakers. Footwear has been a challenge since I sprained my ankle in 2016. Thank goodness Amazon has free returns on prime.