i met with my physical therapist a few days ago. i was tired of screwing around with the chiropractic. she asked a lot of questions, then did a flexibility test on my back, etc. i told her about the back strengthening exercises i was doing and here is what she said: my back is strong, but the joints in my lower lumbar are the problem. they are just really tight. she asked me why my chiropractor wasn't prescribing any back joint stretching for me. i told her i don't think he really knows what it is or what to do. she then put me through a treatment: wet heat for 10 min, then she bent me like a pretzel. it hurt like hell, but in a sadistic way it felt great. then she checked my flexibility again, and my range of motion increased by an easy 30%. she told me she would only have to see me 5 or 6 times to get my joints completely stretched out. i have homework to do: 2 main joint stretches 3 times a day. i will be going in for treatments once a week for 6 weeks.

after i walked out of the office, my back was loose, fluid and felt like someone had replaced it with a new back. i have never had it feel so loose and NORMAL ever!! incidentally, i cancelled my appt. with the chiropractor. now i will only see him once a month for maintenance. or who knows, maybe this "pretzel" therapy will negate my need to get an adjustment ever again. as long as i can do stretching at home to remedy the situation, i am happy.

here is her philosophy: stretch the joint first and then strengthen the joint later.

i feel such a sense of content that i now know WHAT it is. thank you all, especially missliz for encouraging me to reschedule my appt. with pt.

a bit long winded, but i wanted to share the good news with you all.