Physical Therapy: Does anyone go to PT? If... - My MSAA Community

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rlh1974 profile image
29 Replies

Does anyone go to PT? If so, does it cause more pain. They work my ass off then I hurt even more!!!!!!! it's starting to making me crazy! I am there for manual stretching and traction. So I am starting to get very angry! I am just wondering if any one has the same experience?

So please, chime in. If you would!

Love ya all!

Rob

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rlh1974
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29 Replies
Doubled51 profile image
Doubled51

I've said for years that every time I have to do pt that I wind up hurting worse than when I started. You are not alone my friend. I agree totally. When I was released from hospital after my dx I made sure when occupational and the physical therapist came to see me that I was doing wonderfully. It worked I had no therapy at all.

Jesmcd2 profile image
Jesmcd2CommunityAmbassador

I refuse to go to PT anymore rlh1974 When 1 he of PT consists of me being bedridden for 3days? So not happening!😠

Are you feeling better yet?😕

J 🌠

rlh1974 profile image
rlh1974 in reply to Jesmcd2

Jesmcd2 takes three days to feel better, than I have another appointment! I keep telling them. I am not going to get stronger! Knock it off! Nor is my balance going to get any better! I am really going to have to try talking to them again. The order calls for manual stretching soft tissue work and traction. If they won't listen. I am not going to go. I just worry it will effect my application for disability.

Jesmcd2 profile image
Jesmcd2CommunityAmbassador in reply to rlh1974

Tell them straight up you can't do it!😠 I went once and about broke there machine.!. Teach them for leaving me alone in a dam* room by myself.😐 It wasn't pretty!😄 rlh1974 the PT ppl like to think the know everything, but you need to make them listen to YOU! 😊

Let me know how it goes! Cause if it doesn't work, I will call them!😠😄

J 🌠

Hi Rob , I couldn't do regular therapy . The pain was intolerable , however, I had great results with swim therapy. Hugs rlh1974

Doubled51 profile image
Doubled51 in reply to

I agree. If you have to have or aquatic is the way to go. Much less painful. My second back surgery I did aquatic and did much.

rjoneslaw profile image
rjoneslaw

rlh1974

I do pt 5 days a wk. I do regular pt on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Tuesday and Thursday I do neuromuscular massage with weight training . For the M,W,&F pt I do work my self til I can't go anymore afterwards I may feel pain from what I was doing but not all the time. On the T & Th pt. I tell her to go hard when she works my muscles the stretch at first did hurt now it doesn't. When she is not there and her boss steps in I feel like he is just rubbing a feather on me and I walk out wanting to know when she will be back.

Some pain is good some is not. You need to let your pt know about the pain so they can change your routine.

I have been doing pt for a year now. Before I started I couldn't walk now I'm lifting my leg and steadily improving each day.

rlh1974 profile image
rlh1974 in reply to rjoneslaw

rjoneslaw First let me tell you. Your are a beast! Good lord! I no matter how much work could not get to where you are. After 10-12 of no DX and pushing through. My body is ruined. To many unhealed lesions and scars on the nerves. Not to mention all my back and neck surgeries!! Even when I push my balance I pay with headaches and vision problems for days. Also, you can not touch my thoracic spine with a feather. I would probably cry. My DR does that to see if I am "faking" I close my eyes face away. They barely touch me and I jump. Last time, because I have to hang onto the counter. I bashed my knee.

Please take what I said as compliment! That is awesome you can withstand all that!

rjoneslaw profile image
rjoneslaw in reply to rlh1974

@rlh1974

I do take what you said as a compliment.

I'm sorry to hear about your condition.

I hope and pray things get better for you.

BillD999 profile image
BillD999

rlh1974 I have done time in PT and I while I do not go any more I think it is of great benefit. The therapist designed an exercise routine for me which I continue to follow. I think the key with PT is that targeting specific muscles or areas of the body with the proper exercise it is possible to maintain or gain strength. If you are in a lot pain you might be overdoing it and your therapist should know how to adjust your routine. We all know our limitations, but sometimes we need to make sure that other people know them too.

CalfeeChick profile image
CalfeeChickCommunityAmbassador

No pt because of ms, but did pt after each back surgery and knee replacement. Always hurt more at the first few therapies, less toward the last therapy. Two thoughts, I hope they are not putting ice on you "to relieve Inflammation" it might be making you more sore, 2-water therapy might be just what you need for exercise and stretching. I was very athletic when I had surgeries, so worked ridiculously to get back to where I was before. I have a hard time making myself do much of any exercise nowadays. Hope you get results and less pain👍 Lynn

mdok profile image
mdok

I have been going to PT for over 4 1/2 years. They have worked out an exercise program for me that has slowly improved my balance and leg strength. I go 1-2 days a week. My therapist always says :you are the captain of this ship". If I feel fatigued, I shorten the tme in PT. I have never experienced pain from my PT. My therapist knows that MS patients can't take the depth of massage that other people can deal with. I have also done water PT also, and that helped also. I hope you can find a PT that can help you.

Jbahnan profile image
Jbahnan

Hello Rob, I go to PT twice a week it really helps physically I would highly recommend it!!!

erash profile image
erash

Hmm... rlh1974

I went for low back pain and thought it was great. I esp. Liked the electrical stim. The balance exercises were helpful too.

Eleyne92 profile image
Eleyne92

No formal PT for me at this time. I don't drive so at this time the only kind of PT I can get is home visit. There's only so much they can do. I'm no longer able to walk at all, either, so that's out of the picture too.

My last physical therapist put together a home workout program for me to maintain as much strength and functionality as possible. I also take advantage of YouTube videos for cardio and yoga.

I just wish the whole program was more fun ... and came with a buddy or two. My own company isn't terribly exciting.

goatgal profile image
goatgal

rih1974 As these responses indicate, there is PT and then there is PT. The variability is wide. My experience includes the good (18 mos of PT which returned function to my useless left wrist/hand after shattering it in a fall), the bad (much like you describe) and the indifferent (as one of jesmcd2's posts describes). Recently, I completed an 11 week workshop sponsored by NMSS and USC's departments of OT and PT. The PTs taught me about two dozen exercises that I can do to improve my strength, balance, and stamina. Many of these were adapted from Tai Chi and Yoga practices. They would demonstrate, I would follow (or attempt to) and they would coach me (reposition a foot, straighten an angle, rotate a hand etc.). If something caused pain, they stopped, thought through the motion and came up with another way to accomplish the same goal. What made this so beneficial for me was a) the focus on people with chronic neurological diseases, and b) the slow pace and accomodations made after asking for my feedback. Your PT doesn't sound like this...and if it were my experience, I would feel exactly as you do! If they can't listen to you and adapt their program to fit your needs, then it does not serve you well.

rlh1974 profile image
rlh1974 in reply to goatgal

goatgal I do yoga, I love it! Not to mention my instructor! HA! That helps so so much. At PT the stretching they help with has led to me being able to do it on my own. The soft tissue work on my should blades and neck help the spasms in the middle of my back. Oh, some of the exercises make a huge diff as well. Like my knees are stronger. It's they every week, Do less of the stretches and more pushing of exercises that just lay me out for days. I have been through decades of PT for, Og gosh over 15 major surgeries. Normally I believe in it. But this time, I am loosing faith. I am thinking of taking the stretches and knowledge and quoting. Sticking with Yoga!

Also, This reply is to more of you than Just my favorite name of goatgal! I just don't have the attention span to reply individually to each one of you!

Love ya all

Rob

Grannygh profile image
Grannygh

I can't do land therapy it causoes me to go into spasms, but pool therapy is awesome! I can walk 15 minutes on the underwater treadmill and can't do 5mins on land!

rlh1974 profile image
rlh1974 in reply to Grannygh

Everyone talks about aqua therapy. There is no place within an hour that does it. Also, There are no walk in pools around here! I could use the lifts, but my pride gets in the way. I did aqua therapy when I have my massive vertebrae and disc replacement in my lower back. It truly amazing!!!!!!!! When I could stand the car rides to the lake. grrrrrrrr. I miss our family's house on the lake. Her uncle gave us free reign. Sorry (squirrel) my wife and I would go cuddle float. hmmmmmmmmm But seriously. It did wonders.

I should just suck it up and do the lift at the Y and get the beni

SlmHarris profile image
SlmHarris

Hello Rob. I do pt on and off as I need it. I know I do better with home health pt then going to a place for it.

Going to a a rehab gym 2-3 times a week wears me out.

Wishing you the best if luck! PT has helped me stay more active. Yes it is very important to me at the stage I am in now

sallyscharff profile image
sallyscharff

Just spent $600 on PT - it did hurt and I would leave wanting comfort food, but it helped until my foot broke again ... now my 9th stress fracture in 10 months. All that money down the drain. My MS is under control but I still can't walk.

jennie62 profile image
jennie62

So many thoughts about PT. When I couldn't go because my insurance didn't cover it anymore I missed going (mostly because of the people-yeah, I'm alone too much). Once my Medicare went into action I was so happy my visits went from 20 to 60 per year!

My PT knows the reason I'm there and he always makes sure I'm not in pain or if I need a break or some water (he's a water nut...make sure you have water everyday!)

He's a great guy and so are his crew! They all treat me (and all the other patients) well. Most of my exercises include re-learning how to walk without falling, including how to walk sideways and backwards. Warming up on a stationery bike, table exercises etc...Funny the things you used to do without thinking.

I agree with those who say you should tell your PT you're in too much pain and I say you definitely should tell your PT your treatments/exercises are causing too much pain or FIND SOMEONE ELSE! I may joke around with my Physical Therapist when I call him a Physical Terrorist, (he has such a great sense of humor), but you really shouldn't be in so much pain! They should listen to you and make your time with them more helpful as well as enjoyable.

Fingers crossed you find aqua therapy close by. Because I can no longer drive I rely on others to take me places. If I didn't have so many doctor appts, meds to pick up, and PT appts, I'd throw aqua therapy in there too! Sounds like something I really would find helpful!

I hope you have a discussion with your PT and they really listen to you! (or you find a PT who works WITH you!). You really don't need to hurt because of PT that much Rob!

Jennie

rlh1974 profile image
rlh1974 in reply to jennie62

jennie62 Thanks for your reply and so many others!!!! I talked with them today. I as well have a very long relationship with my PT place. over 10 years! We went over the Drs orders today. I asked them to back off. Because I am friends with all of the PTs there with a couple exceptions, They take liberties with me and push harder than the Dr says. Like trying to work on my balance and extra exercises. Anyway, we went over the orders and they promised to stick to them. Soft tissue, traction and stretching. My issues are all nerve related. My thoracic spine pain causes me not to be able to use my upper body effectively. My spinal surgeries keep my building strength past where it is, is impossible.I am as strong as I am ever going to be. I walk as much as possible. As you put it, They are mt PT terrorists! I have called my old PT that. I have a team of two that one of which I haven't had before. So he is the issue. Hopefully, my girl that I have had many times before will talk with him and we will get this straighten out.

On to all of you who have responded. Thank you all for your caring and advice. I am grateful for a wonderful bunch of friends that care. You are awesome!!!!!!

Love you all!

Rob

jennie62 profile image
jennie62 in reply to rlh1974

rlh1974

I'm so glad you spoke with your PT and the pain you've been having has been addressed. Such a good sign you have a great team! I'm glad I checked back in to make sure you're okay.

Still saying prayers for you and your pain(s) go away,

Jennie

rlh1974 profile image
rlh1974 in reply to jennie62

jennie62 I love prayers! I will take them! I am having bad days due to the fact of PT and My nephew came out from Boston. Had to entertain and keep a brave face and not look too disabled. It freaked out his brother a couple months ago. SO I am completely wiped and in pain. GAH! I hate this disease more than chipmunks! LOL, Sorry, Having a war with those little creatures right now. They are messing with my house and other structures in the yard.

Thanks for checking up on me!

Ron

WAshingtongirl profile image
WAshingtongirl

Physical terrorist, jennie62 ? 😂😂😂

jennie62 profile image
jennie62 in reply to WAshingtongirl

Hee hee hee, a family friend said that about his PT yesterday and it stuck with me. My PT had a really good laugh after his initial look of surprise.

dianekjs profile image
dianekjs

I did PT for about nine months when I first got blindsided by this beast. It helped a good deal, and my therapist never pushed me to the point of causing pain. I got to the point where we both felt I could do the work on my own and agreed I'd return for more sets of PT if I slipped back or felt a new need. When my MS first hit it was abrupt and severe, more of a neurological event than what is typically associated with MS onset. I went from being active and athletic to being incapacitated pretty much overnight - from no real signs of brewing trouble to a first MRI showing about 24 white matter lesions on my brain and one on my spinal cord. PT helped me to reclaim a good deal of function but quite a lot is just lost. My physical therapist is adamant about not causing pain or pushing to the point of exhaustion. I feel I've benefited from that philosophy.

rlh1974 profile image
rlh1974 in reply to dianekjs

dianekjs Same with me. I went from being able to tolerate the symptoms of this thing called MS to all of a sudden incapacitated myself. I tried for 10 years. Not knowing what was going on. So many ortho's missed the lesions on my spine in the dozen of MRI's that I had on my back and neck. Now I have dozens.Also, Now, if you touch my thoracic spine with a feather I jump and cry. That I hate because If you know me. Which you don't. LOL I am a huge Hugger. I like hugs! and now I can't hug my wife. Well I can, but she has to stand there with her arms at her side. We are very affectionate even after 20 years, and she gets so very mad that she just can't reach out and touch me without the possibility of hurting me. But hey! I can still touch her! ;)

Diane, Thanks for reaching out!

rob

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