Metal Detecting as physical therapy?

[blacktoe]

I had a hernia operation 2 weeks ago. I see the doctor Monday and hope he will say detecting will be good physical therapy. It seems like it would be good light exercise without heavy lifting. If he says it is a go I will get 4 weeks of detecting before having to go back to work. I have only got to use my Omega about 4 times and it now sits looking at me lonely and neglected.

Has anybody used detecting for physical therapy? I am already thinking of the positive things I can tell the doctor about it.

I had a high hernia which took about a 4" incision to fix that was caused from a tore stitch from another operation last September. I now have a mercedes cut with an x marks the spot lol.

blacktoe

 

[edjcox]

You can find but can't dig.....

Those belly bends are going to be rough at first...

 

[blacktoe]

I have a rottweiler that digs right well. Maybe i need to give her a crash course on where to dig lol. Hmmmm...Heel, dig here! One thing for sure no one would get too nosy or close as she is about 120 lbs.

If I get the ok I have a feeling I won't last for long the 1st couple of days. I do have a totlot that I haven't hit for about a month. It has woodchips and all I need is a screwdriver to find targets. It has been a good spot in the past as it is located in the middle of a baseball complex with 6 playing fields. That should be a good easy starting spot.

blacktoe

 

[slingshot]

When my back was giving me the fits I was able to kneel on one knee and retrieve coins. A screwdriver of at least 10" blade helps-a shorter one causes you to try to pry and lever too much. You can also sort of use it as a balance as you kneel by sort of using it like a walking stick.

 

[maria8forever]

Blacktoe,metal detecting can help with a lot of things,it helps with my mental disorder(Bi-Polar disease),it helped me with stopping cigarettes,keeps me in good physical shape,helped me stop past drug and alcohol addictions,plus on top of that it is a fun hobby! happy 4th blactoe,talk at you latter.

 

[blacktoe]

maria8forever, thanks for sharing. It seems like I smoke a lot less when detecting too. When in the detecting zone it is just me and the detector and the outside world with the worries and such are put aside. It is my quiet time. Whether I find things does not matter as much as just being there doing it. I think you and others know what I mean. Detecting can be a form of Zen.

blacktoe

 

[John-Edmonton]

I work in a rehab hospital, and assuming you have had an inguinal hernia repair, I am going to suggest you keep your back vertical at all times, and do not use your ab muscles at all. Bend your knees and let the stress go on them, keeping your ab muscles loose. If you can not do the knee bends to to inactivity or your weight, better consult your doctor or a physiotherapist to work with you. Perhaps you could get a belt to keep the stress off your lower abdomen and prevent any strain from possible tearing open the incision or opening up the sutures/staples. Be Careful!

 

[Ron from Michigan]

Blacktoe,I would take it easy after a hernia operation and follow the doctors instructions.Physical Therapy out of metal detecting none.I think later after you heal, set up a running and weight work out program it would help you enjoy metal detecting more and be better.But metal detecting isn't going to give you the cardio vascular and strength training one would need.Good Luck Ron

 

[blacktoe]

Thanks John and Ron, It is nice to hear from professionals in the medical field.

I will not do anything unless the Doctor says it is alright. I sure don't want to go thru this again. 2 gut cuts in 9 months is a bit much. It has me thinking about my future in my trade now. It was 9 months since 1/2 my liver was removed due to a neuro-endocrine carcinoid the size of a baseball. I was cleared to work 8 weeks after the operation and was careful with lifting as was possible in my trade. I do bodywork. It was an accident and having to stop a heavy bumper from falling while lying on my back that ripped me and caused this one. My boss mentioned maybe I should think about my future in this trade as something like that could happen anytime in bodywork. Bodywork is a very physical trade and sometimes you must lift over 100 lbs such as taking off a complete door assembly. You cannot always be prepared for the weight to hit. There is not always someone around to help you. I am beginning to wonder if I will be able to do what my trade requires without hurting my self again. I plan to talk to my doctor about this. This might be the end of my career after putting 33 years in it. I am very good at what I do and get a great deal of satisfaction from making a wrecked car "new" again and seeing people pleased with the result. I try to fix every car as tho it was mine.

I will do as the doctor says. I do miss detecting tho.

blacktoe

 

[blacktoe]

I got good news! The doctor said I am doing great and removed the 18 staples today. I asked about detecting as a way to limber up and restrengthen. I told him my detector weighed 2.7 lbs. and detecting required bending and stooping. He said go for it. It would do me good to walk and the bending wouldn't hurt as long as I didn't lift over 10 lbs. If I find a box of treasure I guess I will have to call for help lol. I am going to be very careful and stick to my probe and screwdriver for awhile. The places I am going to start is easy digging and will save the harder places for later. Reckon I better leave the dog at home.

It looks like it never hurts to ask.

blacktoe