I’m thankful for the lessons learned and progress made in 2025
After some setbacks this year, my recovery is going well
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It’s hard to believe that we’ve reached the end of the semester at the school where I work. I’ve been able to fit in a few physical therapy sessions for my broken rib and sprained diaphragm — which have had a cascade of effects thanks to my Ehlers-Danlos syndrome — and I’m starting to see progress. As a result, I’m also starting to shift from pain during activities to soreness that feels more like getting back into shape, which is great.
Physical therapy has been going even better than I’d hoped, and I’m starting to regain my range of motion. My back has been so tight that I struggled to rotate from side to side, especially to the left. I felt like I was hitting a brick wall, which restricted my movement.
The Graston technique is helping, and although I was initially concerned that it would be painful, it hasn’t been. It’s certainly a strange sensation, though, as it feels like a curved, rounded butter knife is being carefully moved across the tight areas to help break up tension. After a recent session, I got up, stretched, and felt a small pop as one of my vertebrae slid back into place.
I’ve also received permission to start doing a bit more around the farm where I live. While I’m not doing any heavy lifting yet, I’ve started mucking stalls, which entails a lot of core work and lateral movement. I’m feeling much more like myself as I get back to the day-to-day chores of farm life. I wouldn’t have made it through the past few months without help from my parents and my amazing neighbors!
Now, I’m relearning that a bit of soreness is normal. I’m working to find a balance between regaining my muscle strength and not overexerting myself. I’ve learned a lot about patience recently, and while it will never be my strong suit, sometimes it’s the best and only path forward.
As I head into 2026, I’m looking forward to getting back into horseback riding while taking time for other hobbies I enjoy, such as sewing, and staying connected with friends I don’t see regularly. I’m sure there will be plenty more lessons to learn next year, but for now, I’m going to enjoy the holidays!
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.
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