From: Linda.Cummings@f34.n375.z1.fidonet.org (Linda Cummings)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Birmingham Pain Clinic
Date: 17 Apr 92 19:49:36 GMT
Reply-To: Linda.Cummings@f34.n375.z1.fidonet.org
Organization: FidoNet node 1:375/34 - Batteries Included, Montgomery AL

Index Number: 21238

[This is from the Spinal Injury Conference]

April 8, 1992
Birmingham Pain Clinic Visit #6

The physical therapist was first today because of a scheduling
problem.  He took us through the following exercises:

1.  Either standing or sitting, bring your right knee up, clasping
it with your hands and pull up as far as comfortable.  Repeat with
the left knee.  Do this several times.

2.  Standing, with feet slightly apart and your hands on your hips,
close you eyes and slowly lean your head over on your left
shoulder, and then over on your right shoulder.  Do this several
times.

3.  With hands on your hips, (or, if needed, steady yourself by
holding onto a chair) first roll back to your heels, then slowly
rock with your feet until you're up on your toes.  Repeat several
times.

4.  While standing, with your arms out in front of you, push your
shoulders forward as far as you can.  Then put your arms out in
back of you as far as possible and push your shoulders back as far
as you can.  Repeat several times.

5.  While standing, put your arms out in front of you, then put
your arms out to your sides, parallel with the floor, then put your
arms above your head. Come back down with your arms in front of you
and make small circles inward and then outward.  Put your arms back
out to your sides, parallel with the floor again, and make small
circles inward and then outward.  Let your arms relax by your sides
and shake them out.  Repeat this once or twice.

6.  While standing, one foot slightly in front of the other,
"swim."  Move your head from side to side while you are making the
motion of "swimming."  Then, do the "backstroke."

7.  With your left foot out in front of you, put your left arm
forward and put your right arm in back, up and as high as
possible.  Then, switch to your right foot and put your right arm
forward and your left arm in back, up and as high as possible.
Repeat a few times.

8.  Walk in place for a minute or so (comfortably).

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In group, he explained to us how important it is to stretch, if
possible.  It keeps your muscles toned.  If you do not keep toned,
your muscles will atrophy and chronic pain will increase.

He told us to be realistic of yourself.  If you must, "modify"
exercises to suit your individual needs.  If you fail to recognize
your limits, the pain will intensify.  If you "push" yourself, the
muscles will spasm to try to increase blood circulation and
nutrients.  Example:  One person in the group explained how he
tried to ride his bicycle for longer and longer periods thinking
that the more he did, the better off he would be.  He complained of
muscle cramps.  The Physical Therapist said that this was the wrong
approach. Someone in chronic pain must realize their limits and not
overdo with exercise.  The goal is to keep toned so that the body
as a whole will benefit from the oxygen and circulation rather than
stress one or a set of muscles.  Since pain affects sensation,
sometimes we tend to "overdo it" because we don't feel the increase
in pain right away.  We must learn to pace ourselves.

Relaxation is very important for a chronic pain sufferer.  It is as
important as trying to keep your body toned.  You must learn to
pace yourself.  If you feel fatigued or start hurting more, stop
whatever it is you are doing before the pain increases more.

Self image (the way you view yourself) is very important.  If you
can do all that you are capable of doing, you will feel better
about yourself.  Rather than concentrating on what you "can't" do,
concentrate on what you "can" do.

Linda

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