Especially during the first part of week seven, I felt rather sore – from top to bottom. I still have that sore, tender area in the mid-lower back (above the ADR) but that has gotten a tad better now. Soreness in calves remains and the hamstrings are still short and tight as a fiddle. However, overall, I feel good and I really don’t think anybody, who just sees me out at the store or walking my dog could tell that I just had spine surgery. I am doing a lot of careful stretching on the floor, which feels good. I also do some (careful) core exercises while I am on the floor, to the delight of my dog, who considers me "fair game" down there.
So, I went to see Ben Keyes at RxMassage in high hopes that he can help me with my recovery. He is absolutely amazing and is always motivated to better himself (and even though he was fantastic even back then, he has evolved even more since the last time I saw him in 2016). With that being said, during my first consultation, he did a lot of pulling, pushing, and stretching (including of my scull and facial bones), put wedges under my hips and (I suppose) fixed my misalignment.
During the evening later that day, I felt uncomfortable, sore, and grumpy, which of course discouraged me to some extent. HOWEVER, I woke up the next morning and I felt GREAT! I felt “light” and more flexible, even my fiancé commented on how I don’t let my neck and shoulder slump forward as much like before. Thank goodness, I booked a multi-session package with this amazing master of musculoskeletal manipulation! See you Thursday, Ben!
In the meantime, I was referred by a friend (who is an athlete) to a Physical Therapist in Waterford (Orlando), and despite my reservation to seek the help of an US-based PT, I have scheduled an evaluation for this coming Friday to give it a shot. I feel that I need more guidance and consistency in my rehab efforts, especially since I have to prepare to get back to work, so let’s see how that goes.
On the downside, I really wanted to try out light jogging (I got cleared for it by Dr. Desai) to see how it feels. I am so deconditioned and need to build up resilience but in order to do so, I need to jog on soft ground (grass). Well, has it turns out, this has been the wettest month of May in the history of Florida! Rain, so much rain, every day, non-stop!!!! I think I was in my gym clothes, ready to go, several times just to look outside the window to see yet another downpour. Grrrrr! So I had to settle running up and down the stairs in my home for now.
But unless our earth is now turning to a real-life version of “Water World”, I will go jogging later this week because I really, really need to know how that feels like now! Stay tuned!