I participated as an observer in Jo's physiotherapy session with the physiotherapist today. Despite Jo experiencing pains in her foot and lower back they persevered, manipulating her spine to relieve the pressure on her lower back which is largely a result of sitting in a chair for so long. The physiotherapist was very good, obviously expert at manipulation and had just the right style for Jo, gently cajoling rather than the bossy britches approach they adopted at the local hospital.
Because of the pain they didn't attempt a stand but got Jo to transfer her weight to her left while sitting. They did this by asking her, first to tap her right foot, then to lift it up and to the right, thus shifting the weight onto her left leg. At first Jo was hesitant and said she couldn't do it. Then she managed a stumbling movement of the right foot. This gave her courage and confidence and she managed ten such movements of her right foot, each time shifting her body weight to her left leg.
When it came time to transfer back to the chair they got Jo to do the transfer on her left side, once again, making her transfer her weight to her left side, including leaning on her left arm Once again she protested that she couldn't do it but succeeded with amazing ease.
The left leg was again forcing itself over to the right; something the physiotherapist determined was the build up of strength in the muscles in one side of the leg. I adjusted Jo’s wheelchair, as the foot rests were uneven; forcing this one-sided development and the physiotherapist placed a towel between her legs to force it back to the left.
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