Therex:

“Bob” a former patient called  recently.  “I want to come in for some more therapy.  Since I’ve stopped coming and went back to work it’s just not doing any better.”

“Bob” had been referred because of low back pain with an MRI that was positive for a herniated disc and a spondylolisthesis (forward slip of a vertebrae) in his low back.

“Bob” was evaluated and given a series of stabilization and flexibility exercises to perform daily at home  and was scheduled in clinic twice a week for four weeks for therex, modalities and manual techniques.

As therapy progressed he was unable to demonstrate after two weeks his home exercises independently and was showing minimal improvements in pain relief, mobility or strength. Bob opted for surgery to correct his issues.

Two weeks post op he returned to the clinic to continue therapy.  He was asked if he was given any exercise instruction in the hospital or from the orthopedic surgeon’s office. He said ‘Yes” he was.  When asked to show these exercises he was once again unable to recall them.

The orthopedic surgeon’s office ordered 2 x a week PT for 4-6 weeks.  “Bobs” pattern continued of no improvement in symptoms, strength or flexibility nor could he adequately demonstrate his Home Exercise Program (HEP).

His return call to “restart” treatment was 4 months after his final session post op. Upon his return he was asked to “go over” HEP to see if he was doing the exercises correctly. Response “What exercises”.

“You can lead a horse to water……”  After having been shown a handout with four stretching exercises “Bob” responded ” Oh yeah I “know” those.

At this point he was re instructed on these four exercises was told “sternly” to perform them twice daily without fail and return in one week.

one week later “Bob” returned to the clinic “I can sleep in more that one position now and I can drive at work for an hour without a break. that’s huge”.

So the question is if you “know” the exercises that will increase your mobility and decrease your symptoms but you don’t do them do you truly know them?

Much like if you “know” eating lean proteins, fruits and vegetables helps maintain a healthy body but you choose fast food 6 times a week do you indeed know it?

Knowledge without application is not knowledge.  Application without consistency is nearly always unsuccessful.

Sports:

With the start of the 2016 NFL season upon us we once again say hello to an old friend The Los Angeles Rams.

My first foot ball hero was a QB named Roman Gabriel of the Los Angeles Rams. I rooted for the Rams through the Chuck Knox years of NFC West domination and and play off heartbreak (mostly to the Minnesota Vikings). I rooted Eric Dickerson on and cheered as Jim (Chris) Everett hit Flipper Anderson for a TD against the Giants in the playoffs only to fall the following week.

While my allegiance were split between The Rams and my home state Broncos it was usually easy  to root for both since they seldom played each other and when they did I typically just watched quietly.

The Rams move to St. Louis and my growing hatred for their ownership soured me on them although I did root for them in both of their St. Louis Super Bowl appearances.

I have wondered if the return to LA might rekindle an old flame.

Well let’s see an offense that after week two is averaging 4.5 points per game while having the first pick in the draft that they traded the farm to get is inactive week one and holding a clip board week 2.  A defense that while very aggressive and well respected is showing a great lack of discipline (frustration in the lack of offense I’m sure).  A head coach that looks as lame duck as Ronald Reagan did as president in his last few months in office.  Well at least their kicking game shows promise. NOt sure I can re-jump on this band wagon with my bad left knee!!

While we’re at it if you’re going to wear throw backs wear THROW BACKS give me the Roman Gabriel, Fearsome Foursome White and Blues at least one time for God’s sake!!

Rock n Roll:

48 years ago today The Jimi Hendrix Experience released the first single from their upcoming album “Electric Ladyland”.

The song was an intensly soulful, hard rocking version of a Bob Dylan tune titled “All Along the Watchtower”.

The magic Hendrix created with his guitar, the effects and the intense lead with the wah wah pedal transformed this song from just another good song from Dylan’s extensive catalog to Rock n Roll classic status.

Classified by most as THE best cover song ever done. Very hard to argue with.

Happy 48th!!!

So long for now, live well, love well and be at peace.