| Date of Birth |
Oct 22 |
| Occupation |
Student/Soccer player (Canadian
National Team) |
| Hobbies/Activities |
|
| What condition have you been
diagnosed with? |
Torn ACL (Anterior cruciate ligament)
in the knee which required surgery to reconstruct the ligament |
| How long have you been diagnosed
with this condition? |
3 months since injury - 2 months
since surgery |
| How would you explain your diagnosis? |
while playing soccer I tore my
ACL. It is extremely painful and sometimes carrer ending.
In most cases it takes from 6-8 months to recover from surgery
and be back playing soccer. The reconstructive surgery involved
having a piece of my hamstring removed and stapled to my knee
to create my new ACL. |
| What kinds of things about your
diagnosis affect you: |
|
| - Physically? |
Extreme swelling in the knee and
major muscle atrify |
| - Psychologically? |
The strees brought
on by having to sit on the sidelines and watch my team. Not
being able to participate in world cup qualifying and the
pressure to recover in time for World Cup in 2008 |
| - General Quality of Life? |
Losing the ability to work out
and stay fit |
| What Treatments are you receiving
& how were they working? |
I am doing physical therapy almost
every day in order to rebuild the muscle surrounding the knee
then I lost during the weeks to complete in activity after
the surgery |
| How did you hear about Bikram
Yoga? |
I saw a sign out front |
| Did you have any fear or tendencies
about the yoga? |
I wasn't sure if it would hurt
my knee too much but in my frustration with my other treatment.
I decided to take the risk. (It is discouraged by many physical
therapists) |
| How long have you been practicing
the yoga? How often per week? |
For the past 2 yrs I have tried
to practice in the off season of soccer but since my injury
about 5-6x a week. |
| What changes have you noticed
in yourself that you believe are a result of you practicing
the yoga? |
My flexability and my core strength
has improved. And the range of motion in my knee has almost
returned entirely-something that is a major focus in my recovery.
As well, mentally I feel more relaxed and more prepared to
deal with the stress and challenges presented to me. |
| Has any of your conventional
treatment changed since practicing the yoga? (i.e. discontinuation
of medication) |
I have less swelling in my knee,
which means I no longer need to ice 5x aday and it also allow
me to perform my re-hab exercise better |
| What would you like to tell
people who are feeling hesitant about trying the yoga? |
I truly believe that this yoga
can heal. I look and feel the best I have in a very long time
and I know that I am doing something good for myself. It can
definitely be intimidating but sticking with it brings rewards
then outweigh all the discomforts you will feel for the 90
minutes |
