Hmm. Not so hard that you're in agony, but with enough pressure that you're actually digging into the ligament a bit, not just surface-level pressure.

I would say it hurts in that way that stretching a sore muscle does. You can tell there's a bit of resistance, but you're not hurting yourself further.

I had a PT evaluation yesterday to work on the lower back pain I've been having after going for long walks (long for me is a mile, but I'm going further and further each time). Apparently most of my muscles are as tight as a drum and while the others are weak from not having to put in the work thanks to the tight ones. And my walking gait is all f'ed up (I lead with my left hip apparently). So, PT twice a week on the other side of Denver for the next few weeks. I could go to a PT closer, but this is the office where Kelly works and her boss is "magic". Plus, I will HAVE to put in the work - can't skip exercises when Kelly will check up on me.

Steph, I feel all of that. I hate accepting physical limitations, I hate having a messy house, and I hate the thought of hiring someone to do it for me. But just accepting the mess isn't going to happen.

lower back pain I've been having after going for long walks

Is that a hamstring thing? If the hamstrings get all tight, they pull on your back excessively.

Teppy, agree with everyone else, the house cleaner I have is the best thing ever and I would give up cable before I give up having a cleaner. I have zero excuses of kids or illness or whatever (I'd blame my depression except I'm pretty sure the cleaning part is just lazy--I'm fine putting things away, but hate dusting/mopping). As Dr Debet said, you have a prescription for this. It will make you so happy! (And potential bonus: if you can convince Tim that some stuff needs to be put away in order for the cleaners to clean, it might be some impetus, even if that means "frantically run around the half hour before they come, putting things away"--that's what I do)

Yeah, this whole thing where I have to keep the house spotless in case there's a showing is really starting to wear on me. It takes probably 10 minutes at night and 10 minutes in the morning, but I'd much rather do several things in one big cluster than make my bed every morning, put my charging cord away, fold the blanket on the couch, make sure there's no paperwork sitting out, deal with any dishes, put dirty clothes out of sight...

Is that a hamstring thing? If the hamstrings get all tight, they pull on your back excessively.

If I remember correctly, my hamstring was one thing that wasn't messed up. Everything down from my hips and my upper spine are all super tight, making my lower back do too much work. I mean, I knew I was out of shape but I didn't realize how badly or that just walking would be enough to make me finally seek help.

My chiro yesterday said, "Boy, are you stressed" and spent the rest of the appointment shooting me worried looks.

I hope the PT helps things get better quickly, Suzi.

Everything down from my hips and my upper spine are all super tight, making my lower back do too much work.

I think I was remembering this but attributing it just to the hamstrings. I'm glad you're getting PT for it -- a sore back really sucks (I was going to say "a sore back is a pain," but that's kind of self-evident).

All the questions about "rate your pain" were frustrating. I have had chronic pain for years so, when pain pushes me to actually ask for help it is because it has gone over my "normal" threshold. So time and again, she would ask "you marked that doing blah only occasionally hurts" and I'd answer "well, it always hurts, but only recently does it make me change the way I move".

The other fun bit was I had mentioned that my right foot often falls asleep around the 1 mile mark of any walk. She asked if the shoes I was wearing were my workout shoes and they were. She ended up relacing them for me and while I haven't gone for a long walk yet, I can tell it feels better already. I've seen graphics about ways to lace your shoes depending on foot needs, but hadn't clicked that I may need to do that.