Every day her therapist has her stretch and do some very light lifting. I dread physical therapy. I don't mind the stretching stuff. I mean, certainly it hurts, but it's a good hurt. Sam Marjanov, age 46, another pain patient, goes through a daily struggle with 10-pound weights.
Occupational therapy teaches patients how to perform daily tasks without reinjury.
For Rachel Galarza, it means playing with putty. But the back spasms continued and she began to develop headaches, eventually landing at Columbia. But rolling putty strengthens the fingers and wrists. When Galarza has to carry a package, she can bear more weight on those body parts, rather than taking the weight on her torso and straining her back. Mind and body.