Physio referral

[Sarahs23]

Has anyone with fibro been referred for physio ? I have and am stressing myself out thinking bout my excercises they might want me to do!

[Hidden]

Hello Sarhas I have been for physio and was given some easy streaching exercises to do and to go back in 4 weeks. The exer cises had not helped at all so was told to keep trying and to go back when I could do 10 of each. Still havn`t got there but still trying

[Sarahs23]

Thanks for replying I had physio on my back years ago and it never helped my back ache, so I'm just confused as to how it can ease pain but I will go and see what they suggest x

[Fibrofoggiest in reply to Sarahs23]

Sorry Sarah hadn't seen this, just want to add, I have had back problems for over 40 years and no physio ever did my back problems any good at all. Having said that, I had a shoulder replacement 3 years ago and was dreading the physio mucking it up, but she didn't, it was fantastic and six weeks later I had full range of movement and no pain in that shoulder.

Also if the physio you see is working in conjunction with the pain management team then they will be very aware of what your limitations will possibly be, and take that into account .

Hope this reassures you a bit

Foggy x

[Fibrofoggiest]

Hi Sarah, as part of a pain management course I I'd some years back there was a physio involved who gave us gentle stretching exercises. Please don't worry about this as it will only make things worse for you, stress making your pain levels go up. I am sure if you tell them your concerns at the outset they will take them into consideration and create things that are within your capability. Remember, they are there to help you and definitely not to make anything worse. If you are not happy., don't keep quiet, let them know how you feel.

Sending lots of positive vibes your way

Foggy x

[TheAuthor]

Hi Sarahs23

I sincerely hope that you are feeling as well as you possibly can be today? I am so sorry to read that you are feeling anxious about going to physio?

As the others have said, they usually give you gentle stretching exercises and sometimes walking / balance exercises if you use a waking aid (I have watched others undergo this). I am waiting to go to physio, but I need to wait several months due to back surgery. However, I am really looking forward to going as I am anticipating the social interaction and I believe this to be 'more important to me', than any physical exercise.

I sincerely hope that it all goes wonderfully well for you.

Ken x

[Iampain]

I was referred for phsio and went twice, at the second appointment the phsio said she couldn't help as my symptoms were caused by Fibromyalgia! :-\

[bluebell10 in reply to Iampain]

lampain, i was told the same as you,although i was only told "sorry, don't no whats wrong it's just making you worse"! so that was it basically, but they wern't very good, he had a couldn't be bothered attitude,i was given loads of stupid really hard exercices to do at home,because i couldn't do them i was discharged after a few weeks, it wouldn't of been so bad but i waited 18 wks for an appointment!. i later learnt that he had been made redundant. both a rheumatologist & pain man said they couldn't see that physio would help. there again everyone is different so it doesn't mean to say it won't work for you sarah you've got nothing to lose,good luck & hope it helps you x

[Hidden]

I've been to physio loads over the years for differet aspects. Most recently for my feet and legs (plantar fasciitis) and my shoulder (supraspinatus calcification removal operation and bone shaving and spur removal). The shoulder has healed well and I'm sure wouldn't have been so successful without the help of the physio exercises. The feet and legs... well, they did improve to a point, but in the end they told me there was nothing more they could do for me until I got my "official diagnoses" from the neuro. The neuro that lost my file so I now have to start again (3 yrs on) with a new consultant. *sigh*

I've just been referred and am awaiting appointments about my back and ankles (separate referrals). I expect I'll be told the same thing, that there's nothing they can do for me. I'll still go, though, as I have nothing to lose, and, being in this much pain is no fun, so if there's something, anything, I can do to lessen that, then I will surely do it.

Try not to be nervous or worrying about it. They will help you and guide you and answer any questions you have. They are used to dealing with people will serious issues, so they will be empathetic and will do their best for you.

[Sarahs23]

Thanks everyone, I do feel slightly better haha

[Hidden in reply to Sarahs23]

Hi Sarah,

I had an absolutely lovely Physio that I sadly had to leave behind when I moved house. She understood all about Fibro and chronic pain, and would spend ages gently freeing up and stretching tight areas that were causing me a lot of pain, usually neck, shoulders and lower back, but with the gentlest of pressure and massage. She also did dry needling otherwise known as Physio acupuncture which really helped too. She would put needles into the various trigger points to help release them. I always came away feeling very relaxed, with loose, free muscles and joints, and would sleep like a log that night. She was realistic in that she told me she couldn't make me better, but she certainly helped me manage my pain. I miss her! There are some positive experiences to be had, you just have to find the right person, have the right expectations and tell them exactly how they could most help you. Just to show the difference, I had a Physio appointment up here when I moved, I asked the guy to do some trigger point work, he stuck his elbow into the bottom of my back causing me great pain, and left me black and blue. I looked like I'd been trampled by a horse. I should have told him what I meant!! Good luck xx

[loppyloo61]

Hi Sarahs23,

Please try not to stress yourself out about the Physio referral too much. I have had Physio for Fibro before. They do don"t expect you to do any thing you are not comfortable with or push you past the point of making you pain even worse!

I did received immense amount of help, as I could"nt do the Land-Exercises, my Physio (who was great!), took me into the Hydro-Pool, with the bouyency of the water supporting my joints and the warmth of the water I found this form of exercise a great relief to me. I did become less "Stiff" when I woke up in the morning after a few sessions it really helped me!

The Physio"s are not there to punish , they are there to help relieve/help you with Firbo pain. It is well worth the Appointment and if you find it is of no help to you or hinders you in any way, you don"t have to go back, it is not obligatory to go!

I hope you do give it @ least a go and have successful results.

Sending you positive healing energies.

Take Care.

Best Wishes Lynn X

[Sarahs23]

Thanks lyn, I will deffo give it a go x

[Sarahs23]

Thank you lipbalmaddict so nice to hear someone who had a positive experience x

[fibro]

I have always on the whole ad good experiences with physios. Had a blind physio once too. He would bring his guide dog with him to the hospital. He had minimal site so wasnt touching the wrong bits!! But he did everything by touch and what you told him, he was fantastic.

They will usually give you exercises to do at home, as as been said above, mild stretching etc. but it is very important that you continue with these at home, at your own pace to really reap the benefits, but you will be fine. Seeing a physio is something positive, and to be honest, in some areas they are so stretched its so hard to get appointments, so you are lucky to be going. Make the most of it and you should gain some benefit xx

[Reykua]

Hello Sarahs23,

I've recently been referred to Physio again - actually, at my request.

I came across several bits of information online about how exercise programmes were being utilised in the treatment of Fibro and I understand that more and more Rheumatologists have started referring FM patients for physio and exercise. Please see an excerpt of one study below;

Faculty of Medicine, University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

The Journal of Rheumatology [1996, 23(6):1050-1053]

Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

AbstractHighlight Terms Highlight biological terms.

Diseases(1)

OBJECTIVE: To assess the utility of an exercise program, which included aerobic, flexibility and strengthening elements, in the treatment of fibromyalgia (FM). FM is a chronic musculoskeletal condition characterized by diffuse musculoskeletal pain and aching. It has been suggested that aerobic exercise is helpful in its treatment.

METHODS: We studied 60 patients who met American College of Rheumatology criteria for FM and had no significant comorbidities. Measurements performed on each patient at the pre and poststudy assessment included the number of tender points (TP), total myalgic scores (TM), aerobic fitness (AF), flexibility and isokinetic strength. After initial evaluation patients were randomly assigned to either an exercise or a relaxation group. Each group met 3 times per week for 6 weeks for 1 h of supervised exercise or relaxation. All patients data were stored in a computerized database and statistical analysis was performed on all pre and poststudy assessments.

RESULTS: Thirty-eight patients (18 exercise and 20 relaxation) completed the study. Analysis of our data showed no significant difference between the groups in their prestudy assessment. Poststudy assessments, however, showed a significant improvement between the exercise and relaxation groups in TP (p < 0.05), TM (p < 0.05), and AF (p < 0.05). Similar improvements were also found when the pre and poststudy assessment of the exercise group were compared.

CONCLUSION: Exercise is helpful in the management of FM in the short term. It also shows that FM patients can undertake an exercise program which includes aerobic, flexibility, and strength training exercises without adverse effects. The long term utility of this type of exercise requires further evaluation.

I hope the information above is helpful and you get as much from your physio as I hope to get from mine - ie. skills to manage my condition better and have more painless freedom of movement.

Stay strong and stay positive

Fight the Fibro

[Sarahs23]

Thank u, was an interesting read, what I find difficult is I'm a single parent that works on my feet so by the time I get up get my children ready for school, go to work pick up my children prepare dinner wash up do normal household chores I'm in agony and so so tired this is my life everyday and I know I'm going to have to push myself to excercise at home because I'm in pain I have no motivation at all in thd evenings x