MobiliserRon's Mobiliser Diary
I am 65 years old, was a competitive weight-lifter in my twenties until, during a training session of pull overs, the right hand catcher didn't and from then on my back troubles started. I had a sub-scapula tear of the right shoulder plus other upper arm muscle tear and it was 4 years before I regained full use of my right arm. During this period I was in a shunt where my car was written off and I suffered a whiplash injury. 5 years ago I partially tore the left shoulder from my ribcage and spent a year recovering. What a bummer!
I have suffered on and off for over 40 years and it has curtailed my enjoyment of my favourite pastimes, walking, gardening, DIY and golf. It is the golf that gives me the most concern. If I have a round of golf on two successive days then on the second day I have a dramatic restriction with the follow through with me grunting which is caused by a sharp pain between my shoulder blades. I have been nicknamed Monica after Monica Selles who grunts each time she hits a tennis ball, I doubt she has the same reason as I do. At the end of October I was invited to play a top course in Southern Ireland and on that day it was the second consecutive round and again the Monica in me came through. What a spoiler! I decided to find a way forward in combating my ailment otherwise I could see the end of my competitive golf. I searched the net and came across Back in Action
My first session with a Mobiliser was at Bristol on 09-11-07 under guidance from David and Jude. I felt some discomfort with the movement but after 15 minutes of use and a little rest I knew that the Mobi: was for me and ordered one there and then.
Ron's Diary Summary
Initial condition
I am 65 years old, was a competitive weight-lifter in my twenties until, during a training session I had a sub-scapula tear of the right shoulder plus other upper arm muscle tear and it was 4 years before I regained full use of my right arm. During this period I was in a shunt where my car was written off and I suffered a whiplash injury. 5 years ago I partially tore the left shoulder from my ribcage and spent a year recovering.
I have suffered on and off for over 40 years and it has curtailed my enjoyment of my favourite pastimes, walking, gardening, DIY and golf. It is the golf that gives me the most concern. If I have a round of golf on two successive days then on the second day I have a dramatic restriction with the follow through with me grunting which is caused by a sharp pain between my shoulder blades.
End of Day 1
Set up the Mobiliser. I was a little nervous at first but soon became relaxed except where the rollers passed under my shoulder blades, the area where I have had the most problems
End of Week 1
Not so uncomfortable and there was a definite improvement in my tolerance level of the shoulder workout..
End of Week 2
Playing golf for the first time since I started this programme. Unbelievable! A full shoulder turn in both directions without pain. It is definitely the most free swinging that I have been in many years. It was a tremendous help to know that even if I did get a twinge during my game I could have a full body massage when I got home. This gives a great sense of freedom and I just couldn't believe how well my full swing felt.. Magic! I had only one session at 1600 hrs and was still smiling inwardly at the result so far of using this fantastic piece of equipment.
Raked up all the leaves from the lawn before having my morning massage. This has been the bane of my life for many years as it always leaves me with an aching back and I normally finish up having to do the autumn leaves in two separate sessions with a break of a couple of hours between. Wonder of wonders! All the leaves raked and dumped in one go and only the very smallest amount of aching. Lower back felt stiff but soon eased and I enjoyed my massage more than any I have had so far. I'm so pleased that I found Back in Action and Mobiliser on the net and I know that my wife is also benefiting from her one a day massage. I just can't believe in my good fortune. Many thanks to David and his team.
Ron's Daily diary
DAY ONE 12th Nov.
The unit arrived mid-morning and I set it up in my home office on a storage dais which is some 250mm above floor level. I had my first home session at 1400 hrs. I was a little nervous at first because I was alone but soon became relaxed except where the rollers passed under my shoulder blades. This is the area where I have had the most problems. The second home session, 2200 hrs the same day went without hitch but with the same discomfort at shoulder level. I slept soundly for 5 hrs and woke feeling quite lively but it was only 0400 hrs so I dozed until the alarm at 0715 hrs.
DAY TWO 13th
1000 hrs first of the day with the same level of discomfort but a definite feeling of well-being.
Second session 1900 hrs left me with a distinct impression that the rollers were still working around my shoulder blades but I was preparing supper at the time. Again I slept soundly and awoke refreshed, this time it was only 0200 hrs having gone to bed at 2200 hrs.
DAY THREE 14th
0915 hrs. I decided to try crossing my arms over my chest, as I had been shown, in order to concentrate the movement at shoulder level. There was much more discomfort but I felt two distinct clicks in this area and hope that this is the first of many steps into recovery. 1830hrs arms folded throughout, more intense at shoulders, almost painful but not quite,
6 hours uninterrupted sleep.
DAY FOUR 15th
It came to me during the morning session (0930 hrs) that when I used to go to a chiropractor I was fearful of undoing the good that he had done and therefore walked, sat, laid etc. very carefully and almost mechanically in case I wasted both the time and the money. I now have my own 'in house' practitioner (the Mobi:) and therefore I am relaxed physically and mentally knowing that I can use it at any time. 1830 hrs, same as morning session, lovely feeling. Slept well.
DAY FIVE 16th
1000 hrs arms folded waiting for the shoulder blades reaction, quite intense but I'm going to persevere. Got a click lower down the spine and was worried because there are no ribs at that point and so far the clicks have been where ribs are. Needn't have worried, nothing dropped off and I feel quite alive. 1700 hrs warmed the unit up first and did 15 minutes with folded arms. No clicks but found it difficult to relax when the rollers were at shoulder level and found myself fighting against them.
DAY SIX 17th
I normally play golf on a Saturday but there is a Captain versus Vice Captain dinner match on Sunday and so I thought it best not to play two consecutive days in case I got the usual Monica symptoms. The session went well and I winced a couple of times when the rollers were on the way up at the shoulder area. 1800 hrs a good session. Slept soundly but it may have been the wine with dinner that helped.
DAY SEVEN 18th
Early session 0730 hrs because of golf match. I used the whole body programme and localised the rollers at shoulder level. It was worth doing because I felt really good afterwards and was ready to try my new back. Torrential rain meant the golf was cancelled and I didn't get a chance to see if my swing had improved. 1900 hrs another click at the lower spine.
DAY EIGHT 19th
Both morning and evening sessions (0900 and 1830 hrs respectively) went smoothly with only the usual discomfort at shoulder level but I'm getting used to that.
DAY NINE 20th
0900 hrs took the pillow away for this session and how that increased the shoulder workout. I don't think I'm quite ready for this and so I will not take the pillow off until I've been using Mobi: for some time. 1830 hrs pillow back in place. Not so uncomfortable and there was a definite improvement in my tolerance level of the shoulder workout.
DAY TEN 21st
1000 hrs perhaps I'll try removing the pillow but move the softening pad up to compensate. Wow, that did the trick. A much fuller massage was the end result and I'm going to stick with this for the rest of the fortnight. 1900 hrs one more click at shoulder level which made me wince. I hope I'm not doing any harm. Slept really well.
DAY ELEVEN 22nd
0930 hrs no clicks or wincing but definitely a greater sensation of pressure with the rollers but not painful. 1830 hrs didn't fold my arms this time because I wanted try and fully relax. No chance! the rollers were persistent but I know this is the way forward to my enjoyment of golf again.
DAY TWELVE 23rd
0900 hrs suddenly realised that I must have drunk more water in this short time than I normally would in a month or so, that must be good for me. Folded arms again just to get the best workout. No clicks but the winces were fewer because I made a conscious effort to stay as relaxed as possible. 1800 hrs virtual repeat of morning session.
DAY THIRTEEN 24th
Playing golf for the first time since I started this programme and because I'm teeing off at 0830 hrs I didn't have time for my morning session. Unbelievable! A full shoulder turn in both directions without pain. It is definitely the most free swinging that I have been in many years but I did top several fairway shots and even one off the tee but who cares I'm on my way back. My playing partner is also on this programme and he too felt freer and had a couple of tops but we were over the moon with our improvement bodily. It was a tremendous help to know that even if I did get a twinge during my game I could have a full body massage when I got home. This gives a great sense of freedom and I just couldn't believe how well my full swing felt. All I need now is a lot of practice to get my new swing to work. Magic! I had only one session at 1600 hrs and was still smiling inwardly at the result so far of using this fantastic piece of equipment.
DAY FOURTEEN 25th
Decide to rake up all the leaves from the lawn before having my morning massage. Now this raking has been the bane of my life for many years as it always leaves me with an aching back and I normally finish up having to do the autumn leaves in two separate sessions with a break of a couple of hours between. Wonder of wonders! All the leaves raked and dumped in one go and only the very smallest amount of aching. 1130 hrs lower back felt stiff but soon eased and I enjoyed my massage more than any I have had so far. I'm am so pleased that I found Back in Action and Mobiliser on the net and I know that my wife is also benefitting from her one a day massage. I just can't believe in my good fortune. Many thanks to David and his team.