Independence Through Physical Therapy 1

It still amazes me, almost startles me, that I can now take a satisfying breath…

I went to Loraine because the massage I had been taught for lymphedema was not working. I had been told that Loraine would be able to help. And she did. From her I learned a simple method of preventing of edema, and have faithfully done the massage regularly spurred on by the wonderful people that I have met at her monthly potluck lunch/teaching sessions. Many that attend these great sessions wear compression sleeves. I decided that would be something that I would like to avoid, if possible.

At the lunch teaching I learned lots more. For instance, the discomfort (pain) that I experienced while wearing compression bras (due to lymphedema) was caused by my scoliosis. I had gotten so used to the back and hip pain I had from scoliosis that I was not consciously aware of it. But now I became aware that there was a way to treat the cause of the pain, thus treat the pain.

So, I embarked upon a year-(life) long journey to be more comfortable. And journey it has been. Loraine has walked it with me. She is always teaching me how to care for my lymph system and how to get myself in alignment. She listens to me, supports me, helps me see different aspects of myself and how they contribute to the way I move and care for myself. It has been hard. Sometimes I tell her, “This is so hard” and she puts that into perspective for me. Sometimes it has been exciting. Sometimes it seems overwhelming. I had severe scoliosis and was still recovering from bilateral lumpectomies with the sentinel node removed on one side. It involved body changes and emotional changes. It has been hard, but now it has become very satisfying.

There are many things that I enjoy about my new body. The list goes on and on and I can try to write down some of them:

I can take deep satisfying breaths
My clothing does not fall of my left shoulder like it used to (it is very distracting and takes energy to pay attention to clothing all the time)
My digestion is better, and my sinus’ are consistently clear, perhaps from better alignment and the various types of treatment Loraine has used to help me, working with the viscera and craniosacral intervention
My lymphedema is under control. So is edema (swelling) in my legs, which I had experienced for years. I have consistently noticed that these are affected by my alignment
I am not in constant pain, nor do I consistently make compensatory movements trying to avoid pain due to poor alignment
I can sit, rise to standing without compensating for being crooked, work in the garden, do baking (a hobby), reach for things in the cupboard, take care of my daily needs, etc., etc., in comfort. I can sit cross-legged to meditate without meditating on the pain in my body

Yes, sometimes I still get into pain and I still get crooked; but now I know how to get out of it. Sometimes I choose to ignore the correct way to move and opt notto do things that I know will keep me aligned and out of pain. But, I also know that I can ‘get back on track’ and get comfortable again. It is a very liberating feeling.

I am grateful to you, Loraine, for all you have helped me accomplished, and for putting me in charge of my own body. When I embarked on the journey, I didn’t know what was possible. It has been quite an adventure, and I suspect it will continue to be so…