A few weeks ago, I tentatively stuck my toes in the sand and started a gentle paddle out into the ocean on my longboard. After nearly six months of rehabilitating a slipped disc, I wanted nothing more than to be on the water even if it just meant paddling out. For all of us, 2020 has brought with it unprecedented challenges and a step into the unknown. Add to that the uncertainties of everyday life, and for some of us, it created a perfect storm that sent us down some pretty scary rabbit holes. For me, this past spring was spent navigating COVID-19 plus a severe case of sciatica resulting from a slipped disc in my lower lumbar region. A seven-day backcountry ski trip in British Columbia was likely the cause, but it could have been on the horizon for a long time given some other long-standing injuries.
As medical services shut down in order to safeguard precious supplies, I started to feel somewhat hopeless. Appointments were canceled, offices closed but thankfully I had already begun my treatment at Precision PT. Given my condition, physical therapy started slowly and included a variety of modalities. Dry needling helped increase circulation and healing, especially while my movement was still extremely limited (suffices to say that crawling was easier than walking at this time!). We also began putting the pieces together related to my long-standing knee injury which had clearly exacerbated or maybe even caused the injury. Being able to step back to see and treat the big picture is something that Greg, as an Osteopractor, excels at. As a high caliber athlete himself, I also found it encouraging to know that he has had his share of hurdles to overcome. Greg likes to say that the human body has a remarkable ability to heal itself. The power of those words and thoughts were paramount to me and also kept me brimming with hope while still padding each seat with a pillow.
Grateful for his connections in the medical community, Greg was able to help me quickly navigate some solutions including finding access to an epidural steroid injection. Again, not an easy task as COVID had just surfaced and procedures were on-hold in most hospitals and clinics. Greg and his team were also willing to adapt to their own office shutting down and accepted the high risk of doing home-visits. Each week I was so thankful for the assistance that I followed my PT instructions as if it was a new religion.
As an avid cyclist, I felt refreshed to learn that Greg allowed me to pedal as part as my rehab. Some doctors told me it was risky to be in a position of flexion, but to Greg the healing benefits of motion and increased circulation far outweighed the risk. As a cycling guide who has spent the last 14 summers covering the Tour de France stages with clients, the spiritual benefit of being on the bike has always been my version of attending church ̈ and to work with someone who could identify with that was super helpful.
The world is a crazy place right now but it makes you feel really grateful for the people in your life who are on your team. When I paddled out on that miraculous day, I wasn't sure how my back would react and if I would have the mobility to catch a single wave. My confidence was wavering and I definitely let a few beautiful waves simply pass overhead. Finally, good ‘ole muscle memory kicked in and I took advantage of this perfectly glassy session to pick off wave after wave. Later, back at the car, Greg was the first person that I messaged with a big huge, THANK YOU, Precision PT!!!
