ask grandma j

Physical Therapy

A day in paradise? You be the judge.
Ya’ll know Grandma J has been nursing a bad knee for months now.  Dr. Bob the oldest Ortho, opposed to Dr. Bob the young stud Primary Care Dr, recommended some physical therapy to relieve the discomfort Grandma J was feeling.




Let me share with you her introduction to the profession of Physical Therapy from a client’s patient’s point of view.


After the referral was made, it took about six weeks for insurance approval and scheduling. You know, there was Thanksgiving, then Hanukkah, Christmas, The Rose Parade.....

Grandma J was anxious to start. She envisioned a lot of massaging and muscle toning. She remembers going with friends to a spa once and having a treatment and it was actually heavenly.

Something like this! Yessiree, a full body massage with emphasis on the bad knee of course. Grandma J remembered the soft soothing music of ocean sounds with little birds chirping in the distance. There was the aroma of the sweet flowers sprinkled about permeating through the air. Boy, did the memories come rushing back!

The big day arrives. It’s recommended that Grandma J wear loose fitting clothes. That made perfect sense because it’s easier to get undressed and dressed. To make it easier she forgoes the bra. Yes.She.Does.


Grandma J meets Isabel, her own personal therapist, the excitement builds. Here’s how the conversation went:

Isabel: We are going to start with me asking you some questions, Ok?

Grandma J:  Ok


Isabel: On a level of one to ten how bad is the pain in your knee when resting?

Grandma J: About a two


Isabel: Good! Now, what level would you say the pain is when your exercising?


Grandma J: Pauses.....what do you mean, exactly?

Isabel: Well, for instance do you run or go for long walks?


Grandma J:  Not very often.

Isabel: How about sports? Do you play tennis or golf? 

Grandma J: No…..but I go to my grandson’s baseball games.

Isabel: OK…..tell me, do you have any hobbies?

Grandma J: (thinking oh good! Something I can actually give an honest answer to) Why yes I do!


Isabel: Great! What do you do?


Grandma J: I blog.


Isabel:  said with a blank stare....Blog? And, how many hours a week would you say you blog?

Grandma J: (reaches for her new iphone to access the calculator)

Isabel: You don’t have to give me an exact number of hours. How about telling me what else you do?

Grandma J: looks around the room trying to grasp at something interesting to say. 

Oh, I go to the movies once a week!

Isabel: Umm, I think we can get started with your therapy.

This isn’t what Grandma J had in mind! And for the record, Isabel is a regular drill sergeant.

Grandma J has to go back tomorrow. That’s if she can get out of bed.