Here it is: the last week of physiotherapy for chronic pain. The final month has flown by: exercises I had to follow, vet’s appointments, another mega heatwave for the UK, and achievements for myself where I lived.
On June 30th, we all made our way back into the seminar room within the rehab center, took our seats and waited for the first session to start. We sat there chatting about how we couldn’t believe how it was our last week already, how we had made great friends, and as a group this had been the best. We had laughed, we had encouraged each other, and most of all we had supported each other through the good and the bad, not just during the weeks at the rehab center but also during the times we had been off doing our own things.
As with week two, we started this week with a review and goal-setting session. We worked as a team, and this was what we came up with:
Highlights
More swimming cinema
Exercise snacks made it to the New Forest
Be kinder to self out of house more
Pacing better – exercise in smaller chunks
Trying to implement more concise changes
Sleep – mindfulness/relaxation strategies
Challenges
Heat – pain Walking
Caring duties Injured pet
Hip-pain
Goals for Week
Workshop
Article writing
Motivation – group structure and support
After we had completed this, we were given our last one-to-one appointment; mine was to be with Jess for the final time on Friday at 9 A.M. We then had a discussion on a change of session for the following day, we were supposed to have kitchen therapy but due to the group being a large group and kitchen being small, they asked if we would like to swap it to a games and wall climbing session instead, everyone agreed and the few that did want the kitchen session was invited to come back at a different date. With everything now laid out, it was time to focus on the rest of the week and get down to things.
Compared to week two, week three looked a lot more relaxing; it seemed like they were giving us a gentle week to end on.
Tuesday
9:30 – 10:15 – Review of the break period and goals
10.15 – 11.00 – Occupational therapy industrial workshop
11.00 – 11.15 – Break
11.15 – 12.00 – Exercise Plans
12.00 – 12.45 – Gym Circuits
Wednesday
9.30 – 10.15 – Ergonomics and aids
10.15 – 11.00 – Games and Wall climbing
11.00 – 11.15 – Break
11.15 – 12.00 – Gym Circuits
12.00 – 12.45 – Healthy Eating
Thursday
9.30 – 10.15 – Occupational therapy industrial workshop
10.15 – 11.00 – Timetables
11.00 – 11.15 – Break
11.15 – 12.45 – Hydrotherapy
Friday
9:30 -10:15 – Occupational therapy industrial workshop
10:15 – 11:00 – Repeat fitness assessment
11:00 – 11:15 – Break
11:15 – 12:00 – Relaxation
12:00 – 12:45 – Looking forward
On Thursday, my day ended early as I hadn’t been signed off by my epilepsy nurse to take part in the hydrotherapy session, so while everyone else enjoyed the spinal pool and exercises they got to do, I left and went home for the day disappointed, but able to rest up more ready for the last day.
My one-to-one on the Friday was a sign-off meeting; Jess was happy with how far I had come over the three weeks and liked my plan I had set up for going forward. I was offered a gym referral, but since I am homeless, I turned it down for now and was told that when I’m settled, I can contact them for the referral.
After my appointment I wandered outside to meet up with others from the group to sign a thank you card for the rehab team, they had helped us all so much we had to thank them.
Another member of the group had also bought a bag of gifts as I sat waiting to add my message to the card, I commented on how nice it was to buy presents for the rehab team, she smiled and then replied these are for you guys. I was so touched and felt awful, as it hadn’t occurred to me to buy a present for anyone, let alone her; none of us had. Yet she didn’t care; she just wanted us all to have a little gift full of humor to take away with us.
As the last day flew by, we suddenly found ourselves sat in the last session making a list of commitments as a group that we would stick to for the foreseeable future, promising each other that if we needed help or support, we would turn to our little WhatsApp group for support from each other.
As the session came to an end, we all put our names down for the follow-up sessions. We also added a poll to the WhatsApp group on what date to meet up for the end of July. We then said our farewells and parted ways.
This physiotherapy chronic pain experience has been the best thing I have gone to for chronic pain, I have made new friends and learned so much so I can move forward in helping myself in dealing with my own condition.
I have my plan all set out for going forward and the group if I need them; it’s all down to me now. I can do this. I have shown I can do this. Now I just have to look at my goals and stay motivated. I cannot let these three weeks turn out to be a waste of time.
This was written by our contributing writer, Leah Palmer.
Image Source: Pexels, Tima Miroshnichenko
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