Ask Miranda
This email trail is interesting as it shows how the fear of litigation has become a factor in doctors having to over protect themselves against possible litigation to their patient’s detriment. This would be filed under the heading, “The pendulum of litigation has swung too far for our own good!”
Hi Miranda,
First of all, congratulations on being a 10-year breast cancer survivor! Me too!
Your program is wonderful, and I have been following your routines for 3 years and absolutely love them. For the last 6-9 months, though, I have not been able to as the arthritis in my right hip (caused by a fall years ago) had gotten too severe and I had total hip replacement in November. Up until that point, though, your exercises really helped my hip range of motion and reduced the pain level.
I want to get back to your routines, but I’m afraid to as many of the moves involve rotation of the hip in positions that would be dangerous for me and could cause dislocation. For example, I am not to cross my right leg (the operated hip) over the left, whether sitting or standing, or turn my right leg inward. To picture this, sit in a chair and put your right foot out to the right; this causes the leg and therefore the hip to rotate inward toward the left. Do you have any suggestions for stretches that would not cause this rotation, or perhaps a way to modify some of your current stretches?
Your deep stretches are a terrific low-impact exercise routine and I felt so much better starting my day with Classical Stretch, and I look forward to hearing from you so that I can begin your program once again.
Thanks for all you do, Miranda.
D
Hi D,
It is really difficult to give advice like you need without meeting you in person and doing a full evaluation.
Movement is always important, but as you pointed out you have to be careful not to injure yourself as you are trying to get better.
There are some possible suggestions:
- Visit me in Montreal or come to a fitness retreat where I can evaluate you in person.
- Study the DVD’s and learn not to do any movements that you feel would be dangerous. You need to watch them a couple of times so that you know what will be coming next and then avoid any movements that you feel dangerous.
- Ask your physiotherapist to guide you through the DVD’s and show you what is good and what is bad for you. Personal trainers are not qualified enough in general
Sorry I cannot help more than this
My best
Miranda
Hi Miranda,
Well, it’s been over a year since my hip surgery and my hip has healed really well. I now have much more mobility in my hip and I’m doing things I haven’t been able to do in years. But I’m having a very hard time getting back into exercising!
So, I’m making progress in one area, but really falling behind in another. As I said in my original email, I have been a fan of your program and worked out with you daily for several years (and prior to that worked out with muscle toning for 30+ years). Knowing how TV programming can change, I had taped two seasons of your shows; so when our local PBS channel stopped carrying your program, I was still able to do your routines daily. Unfortunately, after talking with my orthopedic surgeon about stretching, the fear I had about injuring myself during exercise, and realizing from your response to my first email that there was no quick stretching “fix”, I (stupidly) got rid of my tapes and discontinued receiving your newsletters. I was just too afraid of injuring myself and didn’t want to be tempted.
Wow, am I sorry now! Over the past few months, my entire body has begun to ache; I’m very stiff and find my range of motion has greatly decreased, as has my energy level. I’ve tried from memory to do some stretches that you have in your programs, and do get some relief, but it just isn’t the same. First of all, without you to follow, I stop after a few minutes. And, your routines build into a deeper stretch gradually and have a natural flow from one area of the body to the next.
So, today I am ordering your 2010 TV “Health Series” on DVD! I can’t stand this another minute and need to get fit again. When I was in rehab, they were surprised at how strong I was (I’m 60), and I told them about your program. I know with your DVDs I can get that strength and energy back. When they arrive, I’ll do as you suggested and watch them through a couple of times so I can avoid any potentially harmful positions. If I feel I will have problems, I’ll consult with a physiotherapist to guide me.
Thanks, Miranda; I’ll keep you posted on my progress.
D
Hi D,
Unfortunately your story has become all too familiar with me. I think that the fear of litigation has doctors afraid of recommending anything that could lead to a possible lawsuit. That means that they are almost frozen in fear of litigation and so their clients actually suffer. The pendulum will swing back to the middle some time and medical litigation will become less common. In the meantime I am hearing from literally hundreds of people who have been told to do nothing rather than moving with the slim chance of reinjuring themselves.
Movement is necessary to prevent atrophy. When we stop moving our muscles age rapidly, by shrinking and atrophying. There are two stages of healing; first the injury has to totally heal and secondly the muscles, tendons and ligaments need to be rehabilitated into their maximum strength and flexibility. Healing should be very relaxed and rehabilitation takes tension and effort. Healing should focus on blood circulation and rehabilitation should focus on flexibility and strength.
Hope this helps
Miranda
Hi Miranda,
Yes, your comments do help very much. I think you are correct about doctors’ fear of litigation. I remember when I first started seeing my orthopedist, we were chit-chatting, or so I thought, and the conversation progressed to litigation and frivolous lawsuits. At the time my husband and I thought it was just conversation, but I think he was “feeling us out” - trying to see how we felt about litigation. A few months ago, my orthopedist actually asked me why I would want to get back into stretching and exercising!
Your explanation in the second paragraph is SO helpful. My hip has healed and now I need to rehabilitate!
Thanks so much, Miranda!
D |
