Last post Mon, May 05 2008 4:55 PM by ArkanzanWheeler. 6 replies.
When I left the rehab hospital I was told to lay on my belly frequently for hip flexion, but I was given a hospital bed which made doing so impossible. Now, many months later, when I do manage to lay on my belly for a time, afterward my right leg does not want to straighten out. Yesterday when trying to roll off my belly my leg bent and it was very difficult to get onto my back and I hurt my shoulders trying. Plus it makes my back burn afterward. Does anyone else have a problem with this? Are there other hip flexion exercises? Does exertion always cause nerve pain in your back? I am T6 para. Help!
I usually drink whiskey until I fall off a curb and out of my wheelchair....that usually helps strech everything I need to focus on haha I am a smart ass. No but really, I usually get in bed and just try to move around the best I can. Get on my knees and reach up....pull myself sidewaays, try to lay on my stomach and reach down...any kind of movement but just sitting in my chair. i use my bed because I can't get on the floor on a mat or anything. But whatever works for you. Just push your body. Streching may "hurt" a little or be uncomfortable...just don't push yourself too far. Hope this helps. c-6/7--Greg
I am a T10 SCI and laying on my belly feels so good now...but it was not always that way. I spent months sleeping on my couch because I could not get into my bed (captains bed) but once I got rid of the frame and made my own out of 2x6's (perfect height now) I was able to get in it and stretch out. I have a pillow-top queen size bed, works great for me. I lay on my back until I am almost straight, then I hang my feet off the end of the bed, cross my legs at the ankles and slowly roll over (if you put the left over the right leg then roll to your right). I remember it was funny at first, butt sticking up in the air most of the time. It hurt but I knew I just had to push through the pain and it was worth it. Relaxing is the key I would say. I hope that helps. Good Luck
Thanks for the advice. I was concerned that my ankles were crossed...does it matter? And I was waiting until I turned over to hang my feet off the edge. Does your back burn from exertion? It was like a hot coal in the center of my back. Beer quenches the flame, thank goodness, but I wish I could get a prescription for it! Life is too short to drink cheap beer.
I hang my feet off the bed and croos them before I try to turn, it makes it easier. If I turn over fast enough the legs uncross. My muscles do not burn anymore, but I have been doing this for a while now. If you can get a precription for beer, I am switching to your doc...lol.
Is the burning in your back after exertion muscles or nerves? I got two different answers (opinions) from two different therapists. I have heard that the nerve pain goes away after a year or so, is this true? I haven't tried to get on my knees yet and wonder if I can. If so, I will surely pray.
The pain goes away...wahoo! No, serisouly, most of the pain either goes away or you just get use to it after a year or two (at least for me). My pain seems more like a knife in my back than anything else, it has died down mostly but if I think about it then I notice it again. Try getting on your side and slowly roll over as far as you can, you might have to push down on your knee to lay down further (sometimes I still have to do that). Then you can try to roll over as much as you can and relax. I was not able to hop up there and lay flat my first time so I would not expect anyone else to be able to either. Time and patience is what you are going to need. Good Luck
