When FTM first meet Leo he was very wary of the advice he had been given with regard to managing his neck injury and he was already booked in for major neck surgery. Leo was at that point in the injury cycle where he distrusted his own physical capabilities, making it imperative that he was able to see and feel positive change in a relatively short period of time. To facilitate this process Leo was introduced to other FTM clients with neck-related injuries (none as deliberating as his) who had made a full recovery or were well on their way in the recovery process.
This approach helped to remove what we call the “isolation barrier”. Injured people often find themselves feeling vulnerable, making them somewhat introspective. No-one seems to understand what they are going through and they tend to stop talking about their injury, often perceiving that everyone they’re close to is sick of hearing about it.
From a treatment perspective this makes it especially important that the injured person becomes physically and mentally aware of all the necessary treatment processes in the shortest possible time frame, as they need to become the source of their own answers. This brings them out of themselves rather than retreating further and further into themselves – a scenario that underpins the mind set of many people who are living with long term, deliberating injuries.
One of the key turning points with Leo was making him understand that it is the muscles that move the skeleton not the other way around. To a large degree he was so tight and restricted and had long since ceased trying to move his neck. This was a major contributing factor to his neck paralysis. At FTM we stress the importance of “you may own your injury but be careful not to adopt it”. We still to this day remember the first day Leo moved his neck. He was crying with joy and I don’t think there was a dry eye in the room. I think the key ingredient in managing Leo’s debilitating neck condition wasn’t just the implementation of a well-structured treatment plan but instilling a sense of self belief in someone who was living right on the edge.
In 2008 I was booked in for C3/4, C4/5, C5/6, C6/7 anterior interbody fusion. C3-7 fixation and bone craft. I was unable to turn my head or lift my left arm. Thankfully I was referred to Fit To Manage, and here I am seven years later with full functionality with no surgical intervention being required.
The FTM Upper Limber Program gave me the necessary knowledge, skills and the confidence to look after myself
I now regularly train and perform the exercise regime that FTM have put in place on a daily basis. Your health is something that you shouldn’t take for granted. The FTM Upper Limber Program gave me the necessary knowledge, skills and the confidence to look after myself. I would just like to say "A very BIG thank you!"
