Physical Therapy (Part 1 and 2)

Yesterday was Luke's second Physical Therapy appointment. As it turns out, this was actually his first "real" appointment.

Let me back up... we first met with the Physical Therapist last week. She observed Luke and asked us a bunch of questions. She gave us tons of really interesting information about preemies, developmental delays, etc. Her "diagnosis" of Luke was that, like many preemies, he was having issues with sensitivity and pressure - that's why he doesn't want to get up on his hands and knees or pull up.

To help with this, we were instructed to brush our child. That's right... brush him. She gave us a soft bristled brush to make long strokes on the front and back of his arms, and front and back of his legs. We are to do this at every diaper change (as a reminder to do it during the day). The brushing is supposed to help de-sensitize him a bit.

Our other exercise was to gently, but firmly, squeeze up and down his arms and legs. This will help with his pressure issues. Basically, he doesn't like the feel of the pressure on his knees in the traditional crawl position, so he avoids it at all costs. Also, she pointed out that when Luke walks (with us holding his hands) his feet look like he's walking on a tightrope (rather than having a wider stance). She said that he does this to reduce the pressure on his feet because it probably feels funny to him.

Interesting stuff.

Fast forward one week, and we can already tell that he's been making some good progress! I'm not trying to say that our physical therapist is a miracle worker - because he actually started improving a bit the week before our first appointment - but it should be noted that he's doing quite well! He started pulling up on my lap then kinda sitting back on his knees, he pulls up on the stoop of the fireplace, wants to "walk" (with us holding his hands) nonstop, and he's even started sleeping on his belly with his butt in the air (I'm thinking that during the night that's probably helping a bit with the pressure).

Our second PT appt, however, was not as short and painless as the first. My lovely, strong-willed little boy, did NOT like being "forced" to do things that he did not want to do! He had to "side-sit" and he was not shy about letting everyone in the world know that this was not his preferred position. Andie and I actually had to leave the room while she worked with him because he just wanted to crawl over to us (with giant tears rolling down his face) in hopes of a little sympathy from mom and dad.

Once we were called back in the room, she said that she was actually pretty impressed with what he could do (once he kinda got the meltdowns under control). She said that he pretty easily got up on all fours and with one nudge to the hip, he went right into the sitting position just as he was supposed to. The only problem is that he does not want to participate in our fun, new activities. He likes his belly crawl and is not interested in learning a new way. I'm already trying to mentally prepare for a weekend full of screaming and crying as we work on our new moves.

Our instructions/homework from the second appt are to keep up the brushing and also work on the side sit -> all fours -> sit routine, plus another standing activity with a big ball (which he actually seemed to kinda like).

The physical therapist was also laughing because she said that she's never seen a baby like Luke - she said that while he was screaming and throwing a fit with her, he was just reaching up like crazy wanting a little comfort from her. She said she's never had a baby reach up for her like that just wanting a hug or to be picked up (since she is essentially a stranger and also the "bad guy" making him do things that he didn't want to).

That's my sweet boy!