Fibro & Physio treatments UK

[Polly-S]

Physiotherapy is uneffective for me. Also a physiotherapist who I visited for sciatica treatment stated it. I asked about hot wax or anything like that and she told me that the wax is "unhygienic".

So I made some research and after not being able to find any rehabilitation centre in UK, looked abroad.

Found many in my home country (have not been living there for 23 years).

My children collected the funds for the travel as an early birthday gift

I am afraid to ask exactly how much cost all in total...

So, I got on the plane and arrived in a cute little hotel near the centre 9 hours later, which triggered a flare up and stayed in bed for 3 days. But on the 4th day I pushed on myself and went to the assessment.

The physician was very angry with the lack of previous treatment.

I did 10 days of mind blowing activities:

Hot mineral water bath - easily accessible, sit in bath.

Aromatherapy

Mineral mud bath - LOVE it!!!

Beach walking early morning or evening in my situation - can't move in the morning at all.

Meditation

Overall - exquisite experience!!!

Return it home with a new flare up after another 10 hours of travel door to door.

But, physically I feel better, energised even, the usual symptoms not so severe.

Pain level on a good day is down from the usual 6+ to under 5.

I don't mean that this is a cure!!!

But it will be nice if we can get some relief occasionally. It will be nice to feel humans.

I just wish to find something similar here, not a spa, but a medical rehabilitation centre.

Somewhere I can visit for a week of treatment once in a while.

I know that will be expensive, but...

So, any chance of someone having recommendations?

Thanks for reading my rumbling

Take Care

[CM1EDSUK]

Hi - I'm sorry physio has been ineffective, & there do actually need to be high quality studies done to show the effectiveness of this as far as sciatica goes, & dependent on the cause. As a long-retired physio I can't help but wonder why wax treatment was considered 'unhygienic,' as this is not the case. I used to use it with my rheumatoid arthritis patients, & it's still considered helpful for this, osteoarthrosis & fibromyalgia where (usually)the hands are affected.

Have you considered asking your GP/specialist for their input re: a rehabilitation centre?

As an aside I stumbled upon this, about the 'UK healthcare services for people with fibromyalgia,' published in Aug 2022, which I found somewhat shocking : bmchealthservres.biomedcent... I could cherry pick comments but that may be biased, so, altho it's a long read, I hope some will read to see the result of these surveys from Sept 2019 - Feb 2020 looking at the healthcare services for people with fibromyalgia, & fibro suffers experiences; their use of non-NHS services, & why!

[2thebeach in reply to CM1EDSUK]

Thank you for posting that. You're right, it was a long read, but very interesting and definitely worth reading. Let's hope some good comes out of it but unfortunately it seems to confirm fibromyalgia is regarded as a second class illness. No definitive test and agreed treatment doesn't help.

[Polly-S in reply to CM1EDSUK]

Thank you CM,I have been reading & listening for almost all of the past 12 hours and still lots to go.

Thanks again

[Cat00 in reply to CM1EDSUK]

Wow that's depressing and fascinating at the same time, thank you for posting.

[GreenEyeWriter]

That sounds divine. I try to do spa days monthly for massage and body treatments. I did an allover body treatment and felt great. She scrubbed and exfoliated my skin and then applied a milk and honey treatment. I was wrapped loosely in Saran wrap for 10 minutes then I was walked slowly to a warm shower. Then back to the treatment room for all over body butter. I will do that again!

[Whiteclouds]

Hello I’ve been asked to respond re physiotherapy it helped me but sadly I started with gall stone flares so could not continue. Now waiting to have my gallbladder removed as I have a large stone which is giving me a lot of dis comfort. Suggest if you are having a lot of pain see your doctor for a referral. Good luck.

[Flyfishing123 in reply to Whiteclouds]

I had my gallbladder removed almost a year ago. I was in horrendous pain and now I am feeling much better, I just get the odd stomach flutter but that's ok. All the best when you get your op.

[Whiteclouds in reply to Flyfishing123]

thank you that’s eased my anxiety

[Latics1989-90]

HiThis sounds absolutely gorgeous 🥰

I tried acupuncture to no avail. My friend tried it on the NHS and it didn't work, she now pays someone and it works wonders 😊 Having had to take ill health retirement 5 years ago I can't afford this. My husband bought me a hand back massager which he is very good at using to help me. It works while he is massaging my back but the effects sadly soon stop working!! You should me at night in bed!! I have an electric blanket, my hot water bottle and then the fan on full blast 😂🤣my poor hubby is sweating buckets!!

Lots of love and hugs Lynne xxxx ❤️🫂

[KimiJay]

What great kids and what a wonderful birthday present! Glad the therapy has helped.

[Flyfishing123]

Glad you got some relief, like you I just wish to feel human again. Dr has dropped my gabapentin from 600 to 300 to see if my chronic fatigue would ease. It's only made my fibromyalgia worse. The medical profession have no real answers for us.

[LisaSnow FMA UK Volunteer]

Unfortunately physical therapy takes a LONG time and committed regular at-home exercise for it to help with strength gain and improved balance. It isn't meant to help reducing pain like a pain killer or pampering massage. I hope even without physical therapy you will keep doing regular activity to get stronger.