My Foray into Physical Therapy

After establishing that muscle relaxants and massage were not improving my back, my doctor sent me off to physical therapy. I had my evaluation and first session yesterday; here are the results:

• I did something to the part of my spine that experiences a lot of rotation. Not sure really what, but now I have exercises to do with a Thera-band.

• E-stim is pretty awesome...like a little mini-massage.

• My activity level is only mildly restricted. I can't do exercises like the plank because of the strain it puts on my spine, and I also need to avoid anything that hyper-extends my back. Other than that, I can do everything else.

Riding is most definitely not affected unless it starts aggravating the area. Since I still have quite awhile before conditions allow for anything but trainer and road rides, I don't see this being a problem even when I get out on the trail.

Other than dealing with that, I've been trying to stay on top of my coursework. I've been so bogged down for the past three weeks that, after last weekend's residency, I was ready for a little break. So I coasted for a couple days but now realize I need to get back on the wagon. Over the next two days, I need to learn two chapters from the-class-formerly-referred-to-as-stats-but-now-called-management-science, write a paper for organizational behavior, and do some serious studying for OB. Over the weekend, I have to take tests in both subjects. But after that, I just have one more management science test and one more OB paper, and I'm officially DONE with my second term of graduate school. Two down, four to go!