I really hate how this physical therapist is treating you. I guess I get that the program is "the program" but there has got to be some room for adjustment to the individual. I mean...if 5 mins every hour is too much with everything else you are expected to do then why wouldn't the correct response be, "okay...how about 5 mins every other hour?" You know...work your way up?

I still remember when I did outpatient PT in the beginning they had me doing leg presses and it was a bad day and while doing them I started to get tears in the corners of my eyes but was pushing through it. The assistant working with me had me stop and called the physical therapist over who lectured me on how if I couldn't do the exercises then she couldn't continue to treat me. Seriously...this one time about 5 weeks in and it wasn't even me who stopped but the assistant who could clearly see I was in a lot of pain. That made me so angry...and crappy at the same time. Ugh! It sounds like your physical therapist is even worse.

Now...the at home therapist was very clear with me that we were working on a progression. Started with seated, non weight bearing exercises and worked up to standing at the counter, then walking along the counter, then standing without holding on, etc. BUT...when I had a bad day I wasn't supposed to do the walking exercises but revert to the seated non weight bearing exercises until the flare up passed. I still do that to this day on bad days to keep moving but not push too hard.

I know everyone has different things that work for them. The push push push method may work very well and successfully for some people...but definitely not for me (and I push myself pretty hard generally but this sort of therapy is different). Ugh...I give you lots of credit for sticking with this and still trying to make it work. All you can do each and every day is your best and that just has to be good enough. If it isn't...then this program just isn't right for you...but I still keep hoping it WILL help.