Paradigm is quite literally sent from heaven. First timer here. I never understood what physical therapy could do for me, and wasn't interested in paying to do exercises I could look up on YouTube. Well now I feel dumb, HA!
I started here about a month ago, after injuring my shoulder and collar bone joints. I went in with a mindset of wanting to get better, but not having the highest hopes due to the pain I was in, (and my lack of knowledge on just how incredible PT is.) I saw Kevin and Jeremiah my first day and went through a really extensive screening to get to the bottom of what my issue was, how I was gonna get better, and how I would continue to do what I love, pain free. I was impressed right away during the screening because not only did Kevin explain every little thing to me in a way that made sense, he and Jeremiah really seemed to care about me and my injury. They truly wanted to see me get better and understood the sadness I was feeling due to my inability to perform the modality that I loved.
Kevin manipulated my collar bone, that first day, into a position where I was mostly out of pain. I couldn't believe it! He explained how it was out of place and that he could manually and gently help guide it back to it's correct position. This is the first thing I realized YouTube couldn't do for me.
The second time I went back we worked on pain management some more, and while Kevin worked on my joints, he explained many things to me. He showed me certain muscles and why they were important. He addressed the ways people get injured when weight lifting, due to improper form and not understanding the correct muscle groups being used. He also showed me some banded workouts that would help strengthen the muscles I needed to get out of pain when lifting. Kevin filled me with knowledge that not only made me excited to start lifting again, but also made me more curious for a deeper understanding of how the body works in it's best state, and how I could apply that to my workouts and everyday life. The knowledge these physical therapists have and give freely, is unmatched. This is the second thing I realized YouTube couldn't do for me.
By the third time I went I was still in a bit of pain on arrival, but shortly after some joint manipulation was pain free. Now I was able to start doing some workouts! Jeremiah and Kevin are able to pinpoint areas I'm struggling in, and fix it quickly so my form stays consistent and correct. This is the third thing I realized YouTube couldn't do for me...
OK I'm done with YouTube now.
I guess the takeaway is that I've been doing this for about a month and while I've been in the valley of despair, wondering if I'd ever get to do CrossFit again, I can truly say, I've turned the corner. I feel ELATED. I was able to do my favorite workout (that I couldn't do last month due to the pain) and I was able to do it pain free and fully aware of the muscles I was using. I could easily correct my movements because of the knowledge that Kevin and Jeremiah shared with me. I'm back to doing what I love!
I can equate it to the feeling you get after not seeing someone you love for a very long time and your heart is aching to be with them again... and then finally being reunited with them! Full embrace. Fully aware of your actions and being intentional to make the best of your time so each minute matters. It's like that. Paradigm gave me that. And I'm forever grateful for them and that I decided the investment was worth it. Turn off YouTube. Get hands on therapy. Literally watch your life change.
