My first physical therapy session went better than I’d hoped

Last week, I had my first physical therapy (PT) appointment for my broken rib and sprained diaphragm. Even after an initial evaluation, I wasn’t sure what to expect, and I was a bit nervous about our plan to try the Graston technique. In the end, though, it was a great appointment.

I know not everyone with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome finds relief from PT, but with the right therapist and some modifications, I’ve found it to be helpful. For many years, though, PT often made my pain and injuries worse, not better. It wasn’t until I was matched with a therapist who really listened to me and worked with me to modify exercises and adjust expectations regarding my progress that I had a positive experience. The same therapist still practices in my area, so I’ve been able to see her whenever I’ve needed PT over the past 15 years.

As I returned to the gym and began exercising, I was pleased to find that while some of the exercises were uncomfortable, or my range of motion was limited, I felt better than I expected. I did careful stretches, wall pushups, range-of-motion exercises, and a stationary arm bike. The toughest part was making sure I was engaging the right muscles, as I’ve been resting them for so long, but it went well.

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After half an hour of exercises, my therapist moved on to the Graston technique. I’ve tried various modalities over the years, but this one was different. The tool looks a bit like a curved, smooth butter knife, and it’s gently moved across the surface of the skin to help break up scar tissue or adhesions under the surface.

When the therapist started, she was startled by my “jumping bean” reaction — I often twitch involuntarily during bodywork — but after I assured her that she wasn’t hurting me, she continued gently.

I worried the technique would cause a lot of bruising or excessive soreness, but thankfully, that wasn’t the case. While I was a bit sore from both the exercises and the Graston work, it was about what I’d expect from a typical workout. I’m cautiously hopeful that my time in PT will help me to unlock all of the tight muscles that have been giving me trouble since the fall off my horse that caused my injuries. Now, if only I could be better about doing my PT exercises each day at home, that would definitely help!

Note: Ehlers-Danlos News is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Ehlers-Danlos News or its parent company, Bionews, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to Ehlers-Danlos.