Stonger (What Doesn't Kill You) and Physical Therapy

What doesn't kill you makes you stronger 
Stand a little taller 
Doesn't mean I'm lonely when I'm alone 
What doesn't kill you makes a fighter  

I thought about the above chorus from this song when I was on the trail - especially during some of the seemingly never ending UPs ... I knew that I would grow stronger as I continued to walk the Appalachian Trail. I have quite a ways to go before I consider myself a strong walker on the trail but I think I'm standing "a little taller" after Kelly Knob, Albert Mountain, and Cheoah Bald (up from the NOC).  The slippery descent of Cheoah Bald and fall bruised me, turned my ankle, slightly strained a quadricep muscle and really pulled on my plantar fascia; it frightened me but I'll be heading back soon.  

However, I don't want to think of hiking the Appalachian Trail as 'a fight.'  Steve, owner of the Aquone Hostel (thru-hiker Wiggy 2010) told me to "Embrace the mountain." On March 19th, my best day on the AT, the mountain embraced me and it was an incredible day. The AT felt like home. Warren Doyle says : "Don't fight the Trail. You have to flow with it. Be cooperative with the Trail, neither competitive nor combative."  I hope I can remember these words during the many months I'll be walking towards Katahdin.



Physical therapy is a good thing. It is helping me to grow stronger.

The physical therapy practice is experiencing growth and remodeling is presently being done to make their space larger (so you may hear some of that construction noise in the background). Below you can view some very short videos of my physical therapy. I have a series of exercises and stretches for each foot but I didn't video them. I will need to do the stretches, self-massage and exercises several times a day when I return to the trail. Plantar fasciitis can be managed while hiking. Here's hoping ...


 




Pictured below is the ultrasound treatment - the part I love best because it feels so good. Some gel is used and Tasha (my PT) rubs it around my plantar fascia and ankle using a little wand thing with a round flat end. It's warm and relaxing. Wish I could take a mini ultrasound machine with me on the trail.

The physical therapist also massages my plantar fascia and the ankle around the peroneal tendon; at first it is a little tender but as the massage continues, it begins to feel good. She has recommended that I take a tennis ball with me when I return to the trail and roll my plantar fascia on it.

Tasha worked as an Athletic Trainer before becoming a Physical Therapist. She says: "Wear good foot wear and make sure the foot wear is best for the foot type. Plantar fasciitis doesn't have to be debilitating. People can continue to be active as long as they know how to manage the pain, inflammation and how to support the ankles and feet with exercise and good stretching and foot support."

After Monday's appointment, I scheduled appointments for Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.  I don't want to return to the trail prematurely so I'm giving my feet a little more time to heal. There was a cancellation on Wednesday and I'll have my final appointment on Friday; that makes PT #7 (completeness) for me.  I will be "good to go."

In the Bible  most symbols are clearly defined in the text and used quite consistently from Genesis to Revelation. The Number Seven, the numerical symbol of Fullness, Completion, and Perfection, is a prime example of this consistency.

In Scripture, seven symbolizes completeness or perfection. On the seventh day God rested from his labors and creation is finished (Gn 2:2). Pharaoh in his dream saw seven cattle coming from the Nile (41:2). Samson’s sacred Nazirite locks were braided in seven plaits (Jgs 16:13). Seven devils left Mary of Magdala, signifying the totality of her previous possession by Satan (Lk 8:2); "seven other devils" will enter the purified but vacant life of a person (Mt 12:45). However, on the positive side, there were the seven spirits of God (Rv 3:1). In the seventh year the Hebrew slave was to be freed (Ex 21:2), having completed his time of captivity and service. Every seventh year was a sabbatical year (Lv 25:4). Seven times seven reiterates the sense of completeness. In the Year of Jubilee (at the completion of 7 x 7 years = the 50th year), all land is freed and returns to the original owners (Lv 25:10). Pentecost, the Feast of Weeks, is seven times seven days after Passover. "Seventy," which is literally "sevens" in Hebrew, strengthens the concept of perfection. There are 70 elders (Ex 24:1) in Israel. Israel was exiled to Babylon for 70 years (Jer 25:12) to complete its punishment. "Seventy times seven" (Mt 18:22) reiterates this still further. The Lord was not giving Peter a mathematical number of times that he should forgive another person, but rather was insisting on limitless forgiveness for a brother’s sin. Bible Wheel

Lois is a physical therapist assistant. She's wearing a prayer bracelet and told me that she'll add a bead and pray for me as I hike the Appalachian Trail. So sweet.









Yesterday I walked a couple of miles in the neighborhood. The ankle is good but the plantar fascia continues to be tender. I'll don the pack in a couple of days and walk around the neighborhood. When I return to the trail, I may slack pack the first day. I've heard the climb up Jacob's Ladder from Stecoah Gap can be a little tough so I'll give my foot a break on that one. After that day, I'll head to Fontana Dam (another short mileage day) and then Smoky Mountains here I come !

“All shall be well, and all shall be well and all manner of thing shall be well.”~Julian of Norwich

(NOTE:  Those who receive these updates via email, may not receive the videos.  You can click on the link at the bottom of your email where it says you are subscribed to email updates and the following is underlined in blue -- PrayerWalker on the Appalachian Trail 2013  - the link will take you to the website so you can see my blog in its entirety.)