'What has gotten into me?'
Thinking about it,though, what really mattered was that Fei Shuang didn't noticed since she didn't know much about the procedure. It didn't matter if she found out anyways. He wasn't a pervert or something who takes advantage of others...
He finally cleared his head and concentrated on explaining the next exercise which he would let her do it on her own.
Li Chu and Fei Shuang talked a few more moments about the next exercise, which was all about stretching and could be done on the treatment table or on the pediatric mat but it was best fit on the mat.
So,Li Chu called for two female nurses to assist Fei Shuang get down from the chiropractic treatment table and sit down on the therapy floor mat while he checked the exercise equipment storage for a resistance band, a belt or a strap.
The nurse and her coworker finally adjusted Fei Shuang into a sitting position who was now on the ground and place a pillow at her back for a more comfortable position.
They both waited as Li Chu returned with a blue leg lifter instead. He ordered for them to leave before turning his gaze to Fei Shuang.
"In this exercise, you can practice on your own. I'll teach you how you can stretch your ankle, hamstrings,gluts and rotator joints." He handed the leg lifter to her as he further explained, " make sure you stretch slowly and gradually. Pay full attention to your body and do not force anything. Only pull as much as your body will naturally let in order to avoid further injury."
"Um.." Fei Shuang nodded at that as she place the leg lifter on her left foot waiting for his next instruction.
"Lay your back on with one leg bent. Raise the straight leg up using the leg lifter gently." He instructed further as he take notes on her every move.
Fei Shuang did as she was told and hold up. She could feel the weight of her leg in her left hand. After five seconds, Li Chu instructed her to slowly bring it down.
Fei Shuang smiled a bit as she wiped the small sweat forming on her forehead.
Li Chu instructed her again to repeat the same procedure for another five seconds and do it on her right leg.
After Fei Shuang was done, Li Chu direct her to another self range of motion stretching exercise. But this one didn't require the leg lifter.
Fei Shuang nonchalantly kept the leg lifter aside and return her gaze at Mr Shen.
"Turn your truck to your left,you your left hand for balance support on the mat, and reach down to your right foot with your right hand, keeping your right knee straight. Pull your foot towards you."
Fei Shuang nodded and did as she was told appearing casually calm and relaxed.
"This is a combination stretch for your right calf and hamstring muscles. Do two repetitions of 5 seconds each." He began jotting again.
Fei Shuang once again only nodded with a smile back at Mr Shen. She carefully performed the exercise she was instructed.
"I'm done." Fei Shuang spoke as she looked up from the legs that held in her hands.
Doctor Shen, who's attention was on his notepad, stopped jotting his points. "The next exercise is the neck flexion and extension. Tell me if you suddenly feel any pain. Bring your chin slowly in towards your chest."
Fei Shuang slowly did with a faint smile on her face.
"Hold,and then return your head upright."
She slightly returned her head to it's actual position.
Still focusing his gaze on his notepad, Li Chu spoke. "Next, keep your chin tucked in, slowly pull it back,gently stretching the muscles in the back of your neck." He turned his gaze to Fei Shuang and continued, "If your head needs more support, you can hold onto it with your hands."
"Ok." Fei Shuang nodded and gently did as she was told.
"The last but not the least is the spine shoulder stretch."
Fei Shuang couldn't help but frown a little. She's exhausted already!
Seeing her expression, Li Chu immediately replied, "Don't worry, it's not that hard. You'll feel very comfortable since you'll be lying down."
Fei Shuang quickly laid on her back the therapy mat by herself before Mr Shen could offer a hand. She didn't want to have any negative thoughts again.
Looking at her quick movement, Li Chu sighed in relief internally as he didn't want to have any negative thoughts either. Avoiding her for today was the best option. He decided to continue with the instructions. "Since you're already laying on your back,extend your arms straight out to your sides with your palms turned up. Now hold the position as long as is comfortable."
Feeling herself in a more comfortable position, Fei Shuang held the position for almost 5 minutes with her eyes closed. She could finally breath properly.
'Will I really be able to walk on my feet again?'
She thought as she realized she still hasn't felt any kind of pain in her legs. Was this normal?
In the end,Fei Shuang slowly retracted her hands to her sides as she opened her eyes. She steadily tried to sit up but was ceased by Mr Shen, "Wait! The final exercise for the day can also be performed in the laying position. It's the hip and knee bend. But you can do it in a sitting position if you want to,i just think it's better if you do it in your current position." He said as he placed the tip of his pen on his cheek.
"Oh." Fei Shuang muttered to herself as she slowly laid back on the soft therapy mat. She also preferred the exercise that was done in the laying position. What a lazy cat she has turned into.
Li Chu smiled a bit knowing that this was the final exercise. Finallyyy!!!
"While you're lying down, hold unto your leg underneath the knee."
The former nodded and smiled as she held unto her leg.
"Now pull your leg towards your chest ,keeping your knee bent. Then repeat the same procedure on the other leg."
"Ok." She slowly did as she was told.
Now realizing that his work was done,it was time for Miss Lee to leave. He was so surprised that the therapy session only lasted for 60 minutes which was normal but he felt like it's been hours. But,there was also one thing that stuck on his mind. Why did Miss Lee not ask for an assistance?
As far as he knew, self range of motion exercises can be done with or without a partner, but at least she could have asked for help. Was she already comfortable with the movements?
Well...whatever it is has finally come to an end for the day. He should now tell her a few exercises she could practice on her own at home... well not now,maybe tomorrow,he's feeling so tired.
Li Chu finally pressed the tip of his pen and attached it to his notepad. He looked at Fei Shuang who was now in a sitting position and spoke.
"And this is the end of today's exercise. You did well as a starter and I strongly hope that you'll gain recovery of your legs in a few months."
"Thank you so much Mr Shen for your hard work. I'll practice more harder next time for a better result." She answered with a sweetly smile.
"No problem. So,see you on Thursday morning."
"Ok,bye."
Fei Shuang was the first to exit after been helped sit on her wheelchair. She heads to the hospital cafeteria to meet Miss Long and rest a bit before getting her a taxi to get back home since it's only 9:04 AM in the morning.
Watching her leave,Li Chu murmured to himself, "It's better not to let her know, or else she might collapse and lose faith." He picks the resistance band and returns it back to the exercise equipment storage before heading to his office.