Today I joined seven other people who, for one reason or another, have been through painful operations, years of treatment and brutal pain, in order to take part in a three week back rehab programme.
A programme with a difference to everything that all of us had been through - a programme at the end of which the idea was to take control of the condition and stop relying on everyone apart from one person - ourselves. It's worth mentioning that's it's the only programme of its kind in the UK, but anyone can have access to it, if the team feel it is appropriate for you and your GP funds it. It takes place in The Village Hotel, Elstree and you need to be able to commit for three weeks. However, the weekends are free so if you are coming from afar you will need to take this into account.
The setting for most of the work had been moved from hospital to hotel - a massive bonus as being in your own room is obviously so much more conducive to well being. The hotel is also home to a state of the art gym and pool, so much of the physical work was going to be done on site.
Led by a physiotherapist and aided by an impressive bunch of specialists, we were given a folder that covered in detail the subjects about to be explored that was full of all the notes we would need as a guide and reminder of everything we were about to cover - and day one, after introductions consisted of the following:-
A guide to the programme which has been successfully running for eighteen years.
A six minute walk, filmed, to look at each of the participant's posture
A gym induction and sheets to record progress
An exercise class introducing stretching and deep core work
A lecture on 'pacing', the aim of which was to understand how maintaining a fairly even level of activity is so much more beneficial than running at a hundred miles an hour because you feel you have no choice in life.
The physical activities were led by the physio and aided by an assistant. The benefits of each exercise were explained and each participant profited by having individual attention. Questions were constantly encouraged and the sessions thorough.
The lectures were comprehensive and delivered in minute detail.
At the end of the day I was pretty tired but my initial thoughts certainly very positive indeed.
Incidentally, breakfast and lunch are buffet style and there is an allowance of just over £18 per person for dinner. A double room with a walk in power shower and free Wi-Fi make the stay a very comfortable one indeed. I am looking forward to day two.
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