Since 1994, I have been in and out of therapy for decades. I have had physical and occupational therapists work with me on everything from learning how to safely get in and out of bed to reduce aggravating my arthritis and fibromyalgia to recovering from major knee surgery.
My main specialists are my rheumatologists and an orthopaedic surgeon (until recently when he retired). In particular, my orthopaedic surgeon, who was my doctor for over 20 years, was always focused on keeping me moving and strong.
The focus of my physical and occupational therapy:
- Keep quadriceps and hip muscles strong
- Strengthen back and reinforce good posture
- After fracturing my foot and ankle (separate occasions, separate legs), rebuilding strength in my ankles, feet, and calves
- Maintain good range of motion in upper extremities
- Keep fingers moving
Equipment for physical therapy and general exercises:
- Bands
- Dumbbells
- Recumbent bike
- Foam rollers
- Swiss balls
- Vibration plate
- Ankle weights
- Kettle bells
- Row machine
Additional Equipment Since Starting to Climb:
- PitchSix ForceBoard
- Pinch blocks
- Grip / Hand / Finger strengtheners
- Hangboard
Recovery Equipment
- Wrist braces with thumb guards
- Theraworx Muscle Cramps Roll-on
- Ice packs of various sizes
- TENS unit (been using since the 90s, always keep one on hand)
- Theracane (I’m old enough that Theraguns didn’t always exist)