This year my goal was to try and heal my back so I don't have pain all the time anymore.
My physical therapist, Alex, was amazing. Halfway through our sessions this year the middle part of my back popped into place and I knew I had the right person for the job. I can tell you honestly that I was super demanding of him, but he catered to what I told him I needed and dealt with me for the 3 months with patience and professionalism.
I had done all my physical therapy after a car accident in 2017, but unfortunately after going regularly for about a year I was still in a lot of pain and I could tell my back was still out in multiple places. Sitting and standing both hurt. Even laying down. Being a very physical person all my life, and hurting to stand was very depressing. Even more was that I tried. I did everything I was told to do and it didn't work!!! I felt like I had wasted my time.
I finally had time to try again. But this time I knew what I wanted and I wouldn't settle for less.
I explained to Alex that my structure before the accident was of an athlete. I didn't play Barbie's as a kid, I hiked and biked, built forts, danced etc. I got a silver medal at 19 in a triathlon, i lived in the water as a child, ive done lots of yoga, dance, Pilates, roller skating etc. Im a brown belt in martial arts. I told him that with every excersize I needed his help in making sure my posture was correct because my body would remember the balance. Because all the activities I spent the most time on were whole body, balanced activities and so my body should remember and go back to a strong balanced equilibrium with the right focus and intention.
He understood the assignment and committed to my healing. See, the issue with my other physical therapists was that unfortunately a lot of them don't do the exercises they teach and have never actually healed someone else's back let alone their own. What I must have sensed from Alex was that he had actually healed his own back from an accident. So instead of seeing me as a difficult woman, Alex listened to me and gave me exactly what I needed and he had the training and personal experience to be super effective.
Halfway through when I knew my trust in Alex was warranted because half of my back popped into place, I told him that my plan after our scheduled session were done, was for my back to be healed and for me to no longer need him. lol. Tall order I know. But that's what I wanted and that's what I was dreaming and working for, so I let Alex know clearly.
Both Alex and I worked for this goal. Alex even pushed me in the last few weeks with a movement that was super emotional and was really hard for me but necessary. In my physical and emotional brokeness, I hunched over for protection. To not be seen. To protect my heart and my vulnerability. Though it made me angry and released a lot of sadness etc, Alex pushed me to stand up straight again and hold my head up strong. And so I worked through the emotions and right before our sessions were done the upper part of my body started to pop back into place.
Now I've been working on standing up straight again for about a month and I think I may be standing stronger than I ever have! Seriously, because I think I've always hunched over a bit protecting my vulnerable heart and trying to not be seen sometimes. To be small.
Although I still have some pain, I think the pain I rarely feel now can hopefully mostly just go away with more stretching and excersize
I am so grateful to Alex and the team at Flex Motion Physical therapy. I am finally myself again! I'm feeling strong and I mostly don't have pain for the first time in 8 years. I am back to myself, jumping off things and using my body to visibly express my joy through movement.
I you need a good physical therapist in Glendale, go see Alex.
Thank you again Alex. Because of you and your dedication to greatness and your clients, I am living my life again and am no longer glued to a chair. read more