This is a long overdue testimonial about my experience with Water PT Specialists over two years ago. I had lunch with a good friend from college today who is using water PT now and it reminded me of it all in reflecting how far I've come since getting PT with this company.
I had overuse injuries in 2011 which left me in a lot of pain in my legs and two bulging discs in my lower spine. For an entire year, I saw every specialist you can think of ranging from sports medicine, physical medicine and rehabilitation, endocrinology, rheumatology... you name it, I saw them. Every kind of diagnostic procedure you can think of, I did it. I was in constant pain in both knees and shins for a year and a half. I went from working out six days a week to not at all and finding it so painful to simply walk from my bedroom down the stairs to the kitchen. It was so bad and I was so depressed. Several of my doctors told me I might not ever be able to do high-impact exercise again.
My rheumatologist referred me to water PT when I refused to go back to regular PT (because it did nothing for me). I worked with Matthew and his most wonderful colleagues at Water PT Specialists for many months in 2012-2013. In my first week in the water, I began to feel better. I couldn't believe it. I reconditioned my body and rebuilt my strength in the water. I learned how to properly stretch and work on muscles to help deal with the injuries I had. As I got better, Matthew encouraged me to try to get on a treadmill on my own time and walk. At this point, I thought WHAT?! Walking the dog was so painful that sometimes I cried so the thought of walking on a treadmill was not imaginable so I didn't right away. First, I took up swimming laps on my own time to get my stamina back. Then I straight up skipped the treadmill and went walking outdoors. By the time I was done with my bi-weekly water PT sessions, I got out of the pool and started running outdoors.
Water PT Specialists really changed my life. I felt so broken from the constant pain and injuries. They gave me hope and healing through a very productive therapeutic process that wasn't only physical, but it helped me emotionally. Since late 2013, I started to feel very close to my pre-injury self. I have a greater awareness of my body and feel more educated on how best to prevent injury.
If this posting means anything, it is a huge thank-you and hug to Water PT Specialists and a pat on the back and glimmer of hope for someone who might be in the kind of dark hole I got out of. My story is a minor one compared to the amazing people I met in the pool. I got to know an older gentleman who was told he would never be able to walk again after a severe infection in his spine left him paralyzed for months. Being in the water with Water PT Specialists changed that prognosis for him and he can walk out of the pool on his own and gets around on his own feet with his walker. Inspiring.
Thanks, Water PT Specialists, especially Matthew, Jenna and Michelle, for getting me back on my feet and for all the fun conversations. I'm forever grateful. read more