I have had many nasty falls over the past 40 years riding, training and starting horses including breaking a hip, leg, and getting really banged up on several occasions where I had to walk with a cane.
I had been going to the chiropractor weekly for 5 years, which was very helpful. However, 3 years ago, I had 2 horrendous falls during the same jumping lesson. Although I was banged up good I wasn’t hurt terribly bad. Several months after those falls my sciatica really started to bother me on my right leg. I was still going to the chiropractor and had some extra visits because of the fall, but the pain wasn’t going away and was getting worse. I tried everything: Pilates, Yoga, massage, stretching, Graston, biking and mattress pads. I bought a very expensive new mattress and box spring and another super thick mattress pad. Nothing made a difference. I could only sleep 2 hours at a time and if I moved at all during the night my sciatica would “SCREAM” at me and it would take 1 to 2 hours to quiet down. It was NOT good. I wasn’t getting enough beauty rest and was basically in pain all the time. I wan’t comfortable sitting down either. Not a comfortable chair for me in the entire house. I could not go on like this anymore. It had been 2 years! I was finally referred to Odom. They got me in the day I called. I whizzed over that afternoon.
Dr. Odom thought that with some strengthening exercises it could be managed. Ha! I’m thinking. Really?! I’m 5’11” and not a dedicate, petite flower of a gal. More like an Amazon. I have a physical, active job boarding horses, teaching lessons and training horses. I have a husband, 2 adult boys and I run our business as well as do all the cooking, shopping, etc. You girls no what I mean. I am high energy and don’t dilly dally around. More muscle? That seemed a little weird and unlikely.
Proceeding on! I have my first appointment with the Odom Health & Wellness physical therapy team within a couple of weeks. They check me all out and send me home with a handful of stretches. I sleep pain free that night! I think, “Wow!” “I’m healed!” I do them every day. I don’t go back to Odom because I’m sleeping all night for the most part so I’m good! If I do the stretches I sleep and if I don’t, I don’t sleep so good. This lasts about 6 months. The stretches aren’t working very well anymore, but I stick it out another 6 months and realize I have got to make a call.
I go back in and see the Odom Team. There is more.
More? Ok. Little did I know!
I am was given a new arsenal of strengthening exercises for muscles that I didn’t know I had and apparently don’t get used. With the help of the Odom Health & Wellness team I have finally got my act together. “My Team” comes up with a daily routine, that I can remember, without looking at the cheat sheets or a sticky note, and I can get done in a short amount of time with good results. I still catch myself “doing it wrong” , but now that I’m aware of it I can correct myself and I know that if I start to backslide, my new friends at Odom will be there to help.
-Natalie
Physical Therapy Patient