#tris talks

Yesterday I started PT for hypermobility.

Last week, taekwondo started ramping up the push to get ready for competition season.

Needless to say, these two things combined (plus the frigid weather, and coming storms) mean that I hurt like hell today.

That said, I really like my new physical therapist. First and foremost: she treats people with hypermobility. So she understands. Second, when I said I do taekwondo, she didn’t berate me for doing something that isn’t good for joints—she said good, and asked how she could help me do better with it. In fact, we were talking about things I know I cannot do because of joints and she said to bring things to her so we can brainstorm alternatives that would work the same muscle groups, but don’t jar my joints as badly. And third, when I said that I used to be able to do certain things, she immediately put them on the list of things to get back.

I really really like her.

I also recognize this is going to be a long, long process.

We’re starting with trying to get my pelvis back into alignment, which should take stress off the SI joint, as well as strengthening everything around my hips at the same time as alleviating pain and helping my quads/hamstrings freakin’ release so I can actually use them again. We talked about how my left ankle is weaker than the right (has been ever since I broke it the first time 40 freakin’ years ago).

Oh, so, example of a recent discovery that I cannot do when we are doing strength/etc.? We were doing… X pushups? Anyway, start with hands and feet together in pushup position—move left hand and foot out into an X, do a pushup, move them back, then do the right. And so on. The problem is, every time I step back to straight, my knees hyperextend. Which is kind of problematic (particularly since I apparently have a micro tear in the right knee somewhere already that I have given in and gotten braces to wear so I don’t make it worse—I HATE KNEE BRACES).

Anyway. Fixing the pelvic tilt should help with the SI joint and lower back pain. It also includes starting to re-establish my core strength, which disappeared when I had my hysterectomy eight years ago and never really returned. Both of those should be good things, and should start the process of fixing posture, which will help with my shoulders and upper back.

Again, long long road ahead of me. I think ankles/feet/legs come after the core, then upper back and shoulders. I’m going to be doing fix-it exercises for the rest of my life, but it’ll be worth it if I can function with less pain and better yet, keep doing the things I enjoy.

Because taekwondo keeps me sane.

Date night last night! I felt cute 💕

Alistair and his dress-clad remigold.

Anders’ Spicy Shimmy.

Dorian and his 10 silk scarves.

Have you ever just, minded your own business, and had someone come up and start telling you all their business?

Like comepletely random, I’m in the hallway at school, this kid I’ve never met comes up and tell me his whole life story and asks for advice on his current issue.

And it’s not the first time this has happened!!