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Has anyone had physiotherapy for chronic pain?

charlie_red profile image
11 Replies

I been at the pain clinic a few times now and they have suggested that I try physiotherapy, which they assured me is different from regular physiotherapy, which I have tried a number of times, got nowhere and have been in more pain!

Has anyone else tried this?

C x

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charlie_red profile image
charlie_red
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11 Replies

Hi went to the pain clinic a year or so ago and they referred me to physiotherapy i went and saw the top man (by fluke) as lady was ill who i was meant to see . anyway he was lovely and this was before i was diagnosed with fibro it was for chronic pain in my lower back and my hips and he was with me for a good hour but neber touvched me as he said it was pointless as the pain i had i wpould not benefit from him pushing and pulling my limbs about and getting me to do different soft stretching exersices so he discharged me on the spot he said it is very raere that they cant do anything for anybody but in my case that was the case so that was the ens of that but idf you have been offered it i would def go and see what they have got to say and the thing is we all different so it maydo wonders fir you even though we all have the same condition there are so many different little off shoots to it it could do you good so go amd see what they offer you it wont do any harm

good luck with it love diddle xxxx

i was referred by the pain clinic for physio, which after learning various exercises etc to do at home (I have other probs besides FM), they arranged for me to have a course of hydrotherapy. thats been the best for me. Initially i had one to one sessions on the pool with teh physio, then went into a general mobility group for all sorts of conditions, after those sessions ended I joined their Hydro Self Help group. Its run by the hospital but we pay a nominal amount for each session, and do the exercises in the warm water that they have taught us…. I'm still going about 9 years later and wouldnt be without it… my only trouble is that our local hospital is 15 miles away so end up taking up hubby's only day off to take me !!

Some physio departments will loan out TENs Machines. they help for some people, unfortunately i wasnt one!

Finding a physio that is clued up on 'Core Stability Exercises' is very good. I think you should be abl eto find the exercises online.. its a bit like what you have to do after having a baby…not that i would know I dont have any!! lol so it was hard for me to 'grasp' which bits her wanted me to tone up as such lol

Their job is to teach you how to teach yourself if you get what I mean. i had a fanatstic Physio, he worked with me until i understood what was happening to my muscles, but for me in the end, the hydrotherapy was the best.

If you are able to go I understand that Pilatés is supposed to be very good as it gentle.

good luck with whatever you decide to do xxx

purpleblossom profile image
purpleblossom in reply to

Hi Rozzy can you recommend any physiotherapists or anywhere we can find links to core stability exercises or gentle pilates exercises that seem to be useful. I was told these are very useful and given a few gentle ones from my physiotherapists as well but due to the pain I could only manage very few exercises a day - but still, worth keeping up! xxxx

in reply to purpleblossom

i dont know of any private ones sorry, the chap i know has now moved to Skegness Hospital, but he is good. Ged Codd is his name. So if you live anywhere near there I am sure you can get a referral. You could always ring your local hops and ask if they have a physio who specialises in that.

never done pilates myself as i have hip problems, but one of the other patients wo also goes to the hydroTherapy Self Help Group was telling me that she has just started.

wish you luck in what ever you choose xx

charlie_red profile image
charlie_red in reply to

Hello Rozzy,

Thank you for your comment :). I have been using the TENS machine for a few years now and it seems to help when things are really bad but I can't use it very often as it gets quite stingy!

I thought physio was only about exercises but seems like they can offer other things too, I like the idea of regular hydrotherapy, it seemed to help me years ago when I broke my leg!

C xxx

shopaholic profile image
shopaholic

hi...yes im at pain clinic and havin physio.....its very gentle excercises but 2 b honest im not feelin any benefit....i was given a tens machine but i gave it back as it didnt help atall...i would defo go along if i were u as different strokes 4 different folks as they say!!!!good luck xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

charlie_red profile image
charlie_red in reply to shopaholic

Hello,

I have the TENS machine too, only helps now and then tho! I tried physio last year too and they gave me exercises but they made it a whole lot worse so were no benefit at all.

I will go and see what they say, they might offer some other things too :)

Thank you!

C xxxx

flowerfairy profile image
flowerfairy

I did find the tens machine worked for me, we got a reasonably priced one from Amazon, which has various settings, I also find acupuncture helps me and I have done some pilates which I did enjoy and found helpful as it was designed to work on injured muscles. I've yet to try hydrotherapy, I should give that a go. I also find a heat pad helps temporarily to ease the muscle stiffness.

Hope you find something that helps you. x

purpleblossom profile image
purpleblossom

I was wondering how people manage to get around the problem of using the TENS machine on your back if you find it painful to twist....do you just try to motivate your self with a one time quick slight twist and slap-it-on and risk hurting more? Or get someone else to do it? Or like me just give up on the tens entirely and let it gather dust (even though it was actually quite helpful!) Just wanted to say...I am loving this forum. Thank you everyone! hugs to all xxxx

Jane64 profile image
Jane64

I had my first session with the pain clinic physio last Wednesday. I was very anxious before I went but when I got there I was introduced to the nurse and she took me through everything and explained it all to me. I did a few very basic exercises and was probably only there for about twenty minutes tops.

I felt good when I came out and not at all stretched. My next session is this weds, and i'm really looking forward to it!

Hope you enjoy your sessions too xxx

lynnh profile image
lynnh

Regarding the tens machine, I was advised a couple of years ago by a physio that it is not recommended for anybody with epilepsy or a history of it. I have seen a few physios and have always given my full history ( I had Petit Mal epilepsy as a teenager) but this was the only one who gave me this pretty important piece of advice.. Have never been offered hydrotherapy but will call the pain clinic next week to see if it is available locally. The only thing that puts me off is having to get changed before and after, it is enough of an effort just getting dressed in the morning )-:

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