This latest round was a refresher for my stenotic spine, and I must say my graduation report was glowing. After taking some measurements, my PT said I had increased both my strength and flexibility by at least 50 percent. He had me, while standing, stretch as far as I could toward touching my toes, and he was amazed when I could easily touch them. He showed me how tight hamstrings prevented him from doing the same.
Now I must figure out an exercise routine on my own. The expression "use it or lose it" keeps running through my mind. If I don't practice what I was taught, I could lose my gains in mobility and strength.
Of course, there will be the walks aided by a sturdy walking stick with good ol' Sadie dog. Crisp autumn air has to be not too far off now, right? That season is prime time for long, refreshing walks. However, I know now that I need more. At least every other day, I should mix in some weight training. The machines at PT were superb; I could feel the stretch in my back as though the narrowed spinal canal was opening up just enough to ease the pain of being upright for extended periods of time.
My best best is probably a "Y" that has not only cardio and weights but also a pool for doing laps or other aqua exercise. I should not be shy about asking their workout-room people to show me how to use the machines.
Ideally, I could set up a cross-training rotation of cardio/weights/aqua. It is probably too much to expect laughs to come along with the routine, though. But one can hope.
© Robert Gray Holland 2014
