H2O Therapy

I began water therapy. Finally, I am able to take what I think is the next step in my recovery. It's amazing how little strength I have in my upper back. I have the tendency to think my strength is okay mostly because my arms seem fine. But as soon as the movement (be that pushing a door, lifting a bag, for example) transfers to my back muscles I am forced to stop what I am doing because those muscles aren't strong enough to continue. My arms have been fooling my body, but not for much longer! The therapists have me focusing on leg stretches (my leg muscles are so tight!), upper back strengthening, and rotating at my waist. I get pretty worn out during the therapy session, though this will vary from therapist to therapist. I tend to feel alright afterwards and the next day. This was discouraging to me and so I started thinking that maybe it was because I am back up to par. After only 3 sessions, yeah right! But you know how your mind can start trying to convince you of things. So on about my fourth session, I'm standing in the pool thinking to myself maybe I don't need the therapy I seem to be doing fine, the therapist ask me to push some small foam "dumbbells" under water. I couldn't get them to budge! Apparently this a fairly simple task that everyone should be able to do. At least it confirmed in my mind the fact that perhaps I do still need therapy. I have also since discovered that I can't hop up onto the underwater seat/ledge in the pool by hoisting myself up with my arms. Even underwater I am still too weak. Frustrating. And now I have added underwater dips to my therapy session.

Currently I am attending water therapy only twice a week. It is difficult to fit it into my schedule. I am hoping though to increase to three times a week soon.