This week, I had the pleasure to return to one of my favorite Florida State Parks of all times: Lake Louisa in Clermont. Ralf and I used to work out on the fitness trail (with calisthenics equipment), which runs along sandy trails in the middle of the woods. I tried (carefully) certain exercises to see how they felt, which ended up in a (to me concerning) puzzle: When I did a straight pull-up, I felt a very uncomfortable “pull” along my mid-lower thoracic spine. I had the same nasty sensation while hanging off the pull-up bars and raising my knee to the chest. Needless to say, I didn’t do any more of those movements.
However, when I was up (with extended arms) on the parallel (dip) bars and pulled my knees toward my chest, my back was completely fine, even though it was a similar range of motion than when I was hanging before. That really puzzled me… (I have no picture of this because Ralf was spotting me, so that I didn’t plop down to the ground.) I also didn't feel that "pull" when I did rowing pull-ups, so at least this weird pull is really limited to the "hanging/pulling up" exercises.
I was also able to do some light jogging (on soft trails), but I was careful and only did a “10 seconds on, walk a bit” routine. There was no pain at all, neither while jogging or after, which was great! I am now cleared for light jogging, preferably on soft ground.
When I returned to PT, I asked Bill about that painful pull I felt during above-mentioned movements. He thinks that the fascia running along by thoracic spine is the culprit, which is the reason why I felt it when I pulled up (and the innervating muscle in my shoulder was pulling on the thoracolumbar fascia), but not when I had my arms/shoulders immobilized (extended on the dip bars). So, I am now adding thoracic stretches to my routine but I guess it will take some time for that to go away. Looking at this picture, it actually makes sense…
Speaking of PT, I am making good progress and I can feel myself getting stronger every week. That ligament in my mid-lower back that I injured a few weeks back is still in the healing process though, and I still have imbalances I have to work on (left leg weaker than right). My lower back muscles are also still a tad “sleepy”, which doesn’t help with the fascia issue either. But I was told that with consistent training, those issues will resolve over time. Today, we added lunges and different weight-pull exercises to the mix, it feels amazing to be able to do this! If I just wasn’t such an inpatient person, meh. But really, I am very pleased with my progress and will work at my remaining issues, one week at a time.
This week, I finally used my Universal Studios annual pass for the first time in at least 9 months! I was HOT out there but I had so much fun. I really like rollercoaster but, of course, I wouldn’t risk that…yet! So, I ended up going on kiddie rides, such as “ET” and “Cat in the Hat” but hey, baby-steps! Most importantly, I spent hours walking around or standing here or there to watch street performances ect., and I had ZERO pain. Not even a little bit. I felt like my old self in a way and it amazes me when I think back to the time before surgery, where I couldn’t’ remember how it felt like NOT to be in pain. That was a very humbling moment.
I walked all over Universal, had a nice, cold Duff beer in “Springfield, USA”, and then took the train from Harry Potter’s Kings Cross over to Hogsmeade at Islands of Adventure. From there, I made my way over to Jurassic Park, where I watched people getting soaked in the water ride. Soon I will be able to join them again! For now I have the next hurdle to take: returning back to work next week!
Soon, the HULK will be mine!
