Over the past few months I have been slowly decommitting from the cantilever; for the past week I haven't done any exercises at all. Over the past six months I've discovered the three stages of therapy: pain, dread, and comfort.
Stage 1: Pain.
This began at the two week intensive boot camp with the various torture-like devices and then continued into the four-time days. The 17 pound weights were heavy, and my back would be aching before each twenty minute session was up. The pain stage lasted for about two months, then began to fade.
Stage 2: Dread.
Slowly my muscles strengthened, and after a while the cantilevers didn't hurt as much, but I still dreaded every time I strapped in. For three months I was apprehensive, and slowly again that too began to fade.
Stage 3: Comfort.
Strangely enough, after five months of exercises, the cantilever began to be a comfort to me. I could feel when I needed it and it felt good to be weighted down.
Comfort is where I am now, but I'm weening down. Sometimes I feel like I need it, but after walking around or exercising I'm fine again. I stand straight without trying and I have less back pain than ever. I go to the doctor's this week for another set of xrays, and we'll see how I have done and maybe discover another stage.
