I have never paid much attention to my health. I’m the type of person who waits until the very last minute to say, “um, maybe I should see a doctor.” I don’t know why, maybe because I’m afraid to find out what damage I have done to myself or that things are worse than I thought.
In January, I was at a bridal venue walking down a large, curved stairway. I was talking to the owner and I missed the last step. The next thing I knew, I was sliding face down across the floor. When I stopped sliding, I couldn’t get up. My knees just wouldn’t let me. The pain didn’t start until a day or two later; and oh was there pain. I couldn’t sit, stand, walk, get into a car or turn over in bed. I was one, giant “ouch.” When people at work saw how I struggled to walk and asked what happened, I responded, “it’s a long story, just don’t fall when you are old.”
In the next few months the pain was worse, but, hey, I told myself, “it will get better.” I just had to wait it out. I had back, leg, neck, hip and knee pain. Sleeping was as painful as being awake.
In July, I just couldn’t take the pain any more, so I went to my favorite doctor–Dr. Google. I typed in my symptoms and none of the responses were good. I could have broken my pelvis, twisted my spine, shattered my hip and many other traumatic things, none of which came with an easy fix. I narrowed down the injury based on the symptoms and then I bit the bullet and called my primary care doctor. I went in armed with knowledge and confidence and told him that I had fractured my pelvis and had a T 2 – T 6 vertebrae injury.
He seemed a bit puzzled. “Who diagnosed you,” He asked? “I looked up my symptoms on Google,” I replied.
“You went to Dr. Google,” he said.
“Yes,” I answered.
“Let me give you some medical advice,” he said, “Don’t ever go to Dr. Google.”
He finished his examination and after x-rays, he ordered physical therapy. I did not fracture my pelvis, nor did I have a vertebrae injury. Who knew Dr. Google could be so wrong? So off to physical therapy I went.
This was a new encounter for me. I had been to a chiropractor, but nothing sustained over time. I was in real pain. What was lifting a ball over my head or wiggling my toes going to do? I couldn’t figure out how physical therapy was going to help me, but I gave it a try. But, then I met Jeff Ebner, Doctor of Physical Therapy.
Jeff is the kind of guy that makes you smile. He’s upbeat, energetic and very positive. He doesn’t just give you exercises to do, he explains what he is doing and how it will help resolve the problem. We started out with easy exercises–flexing my toes and thighs, pressing a tennis ball on sore muscles riding a bicycle type machine, walking the length of a ballet bar. As I limped out of the first session, I admit, I was skeptical. But I hoped over time these things would help me.
As I understand it, there are four main areas of physical therapy–stretching, strength training, massage and heat (or cold) therapy. I am working on stretching. The idea is to put my body in certain position that will help in lengthening and elongating muscles or muscle groups to improve my flexibility and elasticity. This will increase my mobility and help with my sore muscles.
Jeff stressed that it’s important to “warm up” our muscles before we begin any type of exercises. I usually start by pedaling a stationary bike for 10 minutes at a low rate of speed. The bike has handlebars that go back and forth opposite with my leg movements. After that, I do various exercises on the ballet bar or sitting in a chair, flexing my leg muscles. With each session, Jeff has me try something new that initially hurts, but gradually feels better.
After 7 months of pain, I slowly, started to feel better. I could get into a car, turn over in bed and even walk longer distances than I had been able to after the fall. I still have a slight limp on the right side, which took most of the fall, but it, too, will disappear over time.
I have been working with Jeff for a month, and I’m a believer. Physical therapy works! Jeff is a Doctor of Physical Therapy, graduating from Findlay University in Findlay, Ohio. He is a board certified sports specialist in Physical Therapy, board certified orthopedic specialist in Physical Therapy, Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapists, a Certified Golf Fitness Specialist (NASM), a Titleist Performance Institute Level 2 Medical and Fitness Movement Professional and an American Red Cross CPR/AED instructor.
According to Jeff, “I am fascinated by human movement patterns that the human brain develops and creates. I seek to help people move better by creating improved patterns.”
I had a very positive experience and outcome from my work with Jeff. If you could use his help, send him an email at: [email protected], or go to his website, www.jeffebnerperformancetraining.com, or www.mytpi.com/experts/342776. Not only can he help your body feel better, he can teach you how to improve your golf game. His mission is to, “give you the tools you need for success and to carry on your goals after being assessed and given correctives. There is not a lot of equipment needed, but I am sure I can make a positive impact in your life to make you better than you were yesterday!” He continues, “I want to be able to make the right program tailored to your needs. I offer a variety of packages for fitness, injuries or lifesaving training when you are on the course through CPR/AED training.”
So, I learned three things from this experience–don’t fall when you are old, don’t rely on Dr. Google and don’t sit around in pain, call Jeff at 440 667 4493, and get your life back–I did!
