Morning PMRs.
Have any of you had any real success with physiotherapy?
I have tried several times over the last six years but I can’t say it has ever really helped.😏 Lot’s of different therapists during that time. My health authority will only pay for 6 sessions (once a week). (Not long enough????). I found I had quite a lot of pain over 2 or 3 days and then it all started again.
Hi Constance,
Maybe your physio does not understand PMR properly, the treatment needs to be gentle. Plus you do need to drink a lot of water that day to help flush out the toxins disturbed during the treatment, not all therapists tell you that.
Some people find Bowen Therapy helpful, but of course you have to pay for that. Personally it did nothing for me, but a few sessions will tell you. Or try hydro therapy of some sort in you can find in your area, again you will probably have to fund.
Sure others will give their advice.
I never mind funding if it does any good.😀
5 or 6 therapists (in local spar clinic for rheumatology) can’t be that thick, surely. Mind you, no-one has ever mentioned drinking water before treatment).😏😏
I tried hydrotherapy. It was excellent (health authority paid for once a week for 2 years - (unbelievable). Unfortunately they mixed the 30 year olds with the 70/80 year olds and it was go-go-go, 3/4 of an hour. I went for 14 months and then collapsed by the side of the pool. I didn’t go again!
Not they’re not thick (?) but they don’t understand PMR and the effect it has on muscles. Their normal job is to rebuild muscles after an injury or surgery - PMR ravaged ones react differently!
Pilates may help, but again you need someone who understands, or at least who listens!
I tried a chiropractor and acupuncture in the past. Eased a little at the time but back to normal pains later. I personally wouldn’t try either of these for PMR.
I did a gentle aqua aerobics and I think that was better for me.
Best wishes
It didn't help me, my physio was gentle and I had acupuncture, all it gave me was a good night s sleep.......
Constance, as DL has said any physiotherapy needs to be "gentle". The usual manual techniques of physiotherapy are contraindicated in PMR - I learnt that to my cost prior to diagnosis and ended up bed bound for 4 months. However, once diagnosed, treated and at the lower steroid doses, I suddenly developed severe pain in the shoulder blade area which prevented me from sitting back against a chair. I found a wonderful physiotherapist at my local community centre who totally understood PMR. He found knots in the muscles which he very gently massaged out, together with ultrasound and heat treatment - just a few sessions sorted it out. Around the same time, Tai Chi proved a wonderful exercise for remaining stiffness in my body.
I go to Tai chi and agree it is a brilliant excercise, but the class teacher needs to know you have a problem and if he/she is not familiar with PMR they need to understand your explanation!
Stella, absolutely! And the same with any exercise class teachers/therapists, etc.
Constance
You might like to take the time to read this: bowen-academy.com/method/to...
Bowen worked for me - out of a wheelchair, zimmer - both in garage.
Only use walking stick.
Now I am aware it does not work for everyone, but the beauty of it is, if the first three one hour sessions shows no improvement, the Therapist will tell you. So you pay for the three one hour sessions for three weeks and then.......................
I wished I had listened to Eileen 18 months earlier, I just dismissed it...........
Eileen suggested this to me over 3 years ago but I couldn’t find a therapist within reach. There used to be a couple 25 kms away but they don’t seem to exist any more. I can’t travel too far as my husband doesn’t like to drive long distances any more. Travelling by train is a nightmare - they are supposed to be ‘disable’ friendly but there never seems to be any one around at most stations (that’s one disadvantage of living in a ‘sleepy’ old village) but I wouldn’t swop it for the world.
Thanks (all of you) for your replies.
Constance
I don't think physio for PMR itself does much - but my therapeutic massage sessions from the physio at the hospital are magic.
In my experience going to a private physio achieves far more - because they are working for you, not the health service.
Tried both!! Don’t mind paying if it helps. Will try gentle massages again soon. What do you pay? A masseuer charges €30 for 30 mins here.
Don't really know though that sounds about right. My daughter treated us to a whole body hot stone massage last year which I think was about 85 euros and lasted well over an hour. I get a set of 12 1/2 hour sessions on the health service and that achieves a lot provided I start in time - and now they are free, being older has some plus points! That should be simpler in future if I can get my rheumy to support the referral rather than the GP.
It’s the other way round with me - the doctor will refer much quicker than the rheumy.
The GP is quick enough - but the rheumy will have more clout!
Wow! Free!! Wish we had that perk here. I’ve always thot the government should offer Tai Chi to every senior. They would come out ahead in the long run.
I have tried both physios and osteopaths. I found the physios stuck a tens machine on me and then charged for doing very little. I bought my own tens machine in the end. I have found the most fantastic osteopath though. She is just terrific. I have always paid privately as our surgery seems to have given up on physio on the NHS sadly.
Does the TENS maachine help?
I’ve got a TENS machine in my drawer - haven’t thought of it for years. It was good at the beginning of PMR but as the symptoms got worse it didn’t work. Think I’ll get it out and try again!
Not really, but quite a pleasant sensation. It is a bit of a faff to set up as well. In fact it is currently gathering dust.
Yes either that, or a three month wait!
As PMRpro says does the TENS machine work - have often thought about it for my arthritis.
TENS unit didn't work for me.
Ok thanks!
Early on I used physical therapy to get back the range of motion in my shoulders. Very gentle stretching with the therapist doing most of the work. Now I do therapy in the warm pool and work on balance and regaining strength. The water helps you not overdo things.
For pain from myofacial knots I go to a very knowledgeable massage therapist who works slowly and carefully. Sometimes I'm sore the next day but otherwise it really helps.
Yoga works better for me!
The NHS physio didn`t do "hands on" but gave me a sheet of exercises to do at home, then said pilates or Yoga might help.....talk about going round in circles!
Typical of hospital physios!😏
They haven't the time - though to be fair our physios here do do the work with you. Which is why there is a wait for non-urgent as the rehab stuff comes first...
And why a private physio is more use in the early stages of a problem being solved!
Not fair of me! I’m going by the two local hospitals here. I had been using a rollator for over a year and was in hospital. When the physio came she “showed me” how to use a rollator!!😀😀
I go private mostly because you have an appointment and they stick to it.
Think you have to find out what's right for you. I went to our local pmrgca meet the other week, guest speaker was consultant physio, he recommended gentle exercise like pilates or tai chai.
I do gentle core strengthening exercises on my bed each morning and it has made a difference to my posture which in turn has helped the rest of my painful areas, still get discomfort but nowhere near as bad now. It does take a while but is second nature to me now.
Best wishes Constance
I suppose it depends on the physio . i went to a "sports" physio 5 or 6 times before I was diagnosed with PMR. He had no clue and would just get me to stretch and give me a massage : pleasant enough but £75 a time and no discernible improvement ! The pains that he trying was trying to relieve cleared up immediately with Pred so I suspect there was no underlying "soft tissue" injury. I guess if your pains have gone but you still don't have full range of movement it might be time to see a physio but definitely more of a "medical" physio ?
“Pains have gone......” - I wish.😏 I’ve had a very aggressive PMR (my doctor’s words, not mine) for six years now and I have never been out of pain for a whole day. There has always been something ‘running along’ with the PMR but no-one has been able to sort it out.
£75 is a bit steep, isn’t it? I can only cope with 30 mins of massage or physio so it only costs me €30 each time. However, I have given up both in the last year - they didn’t seem to help much anyway.😏
it just doesn't seem like the kind of pain you can rub away 
Have you tried applying heat? when my PMR was at its worst (pre diagnosis) I used to have long hot showers which definitely helped.
PMR pain isn't the sort you can rub away no and a hot shower will improve the blood flow by dilating the blood vessels, improving the supply of oxygen and nutrients to the muscles.
However, PMR is often accompanied by a range of other conditions such as myofascial pain syndrome or piriformis syndrome for example. They DO benefit from the right sort of manual therapeutic approach.
Hi there ! Sorry to keep bugging you PMR pro, I'm drawn to asking you! but although I'm nowhere near as bad as I was two months ago I'm on the decrease from 40m now in 12 and halfm predisinone obviously still have difficulties and bad days, I'm thinking of physio as my feet feel numb and dare not turn them to the right as hurts and feels like bad cramp spasm I am going Aqua tomorrow but only gentle easy class, would you suggest I go to my doctors about my feet or wait till I see my rheumy in July?
If you are having cramps why not try a magnesium supplement and see if that helps. Pred makes you lose magnesium in your urine and low magnesium in the muscles can lead to cramps. It doesn't necessarily show in blood tests as the blood steals from the muscles to keep the level up. If that doesn't help - perhaps your doctor will check potassium and other levels as it isn't just magnesium involved in cramp. Numbness can be a side effect of pred but it can also be a sign of low vit B levels
I have little bean bags for sholders & hips. I miss my bath. I used to soak in lovely warm water add a little perfume and RELAX. Unfortunately we only have a shower now (I’ve always hated showers, even at school).😏
Does the spa not have baths you can treat yourself to?
I haven't had a bath for 14 years - I'm too scared I wouldn't get out again!
They have the most amazing baths (one even 32 degs (almost as warm as a bath)😀. They also have five saunas, whirlpool the lot. I’m just terrified I’ll pass out in the water and nobody will notice!!!
Speak to someone about it - their supervisor will keep an eye out and they may have ways of providing safety seating for you.
Thought of that! Stop THINKING Constance and DO IT!
Quite!!!!!! Take himself with you...
David doesn’t like getting wet!😀😀
Me neither! But I would sit at the side and warch you to make sure you were OK!
D would be horrified. I’d be worrying about him instead of enjoying myself.
I forgot to add Constance that the Consultant physio stressed how important it was to keep mobile, no matter how little you can do just a few steps/stretches per day is better than nothing..
I know!! This is the advice you get from every consultant/doctor.😏 I wish they could live with PMR, Poly Arthritis, Osteo Arthritis, Gout for just a few days.😡 But I DO excercise - on the stairs, in the park, (on the bed if necessary). I’ve now bought a mobility scooter and love beating my husband round the spa gardens. Not excercise, but FUN!
Yes, it’s very easy for someone able bodied to recommend exercise, and we all know it does good, but when you can’t stand, let alone walk without pain, you don’t want some fit person saying “oh you just need to walk it off”!
Love the scooter race 😄!
I had a course of physio therapy and the guy really pushed me,I had hip bursitis at the time and think it was making it worse.He didn't know much about Pmr.He wanted me to go to the gym and use cross trainer and bikes,I was working full time and truly exhausted so I didn't go😳After a few weeks of resting my hip,sleeping on other side and taking it easier it recovered!!
I knew you were going to say that but just wanted to share what he did as a form of exercise should you not be able to do very much - he walked four steps forward stood, then reversed the four steps, no turning round! that's good if you can keep your balance, he said use your stick if unsteady and wait until you're ready to go... it hardly looked anything but he said try it if you can't do anything else.
I told my husband, he has poor mobility, and his look said it all..ah well. Another one - stand next to a piece of furniture or have someone there to catch you! and stand on one leg for a few seconds, says it eventually helps to improve your balance and in turn will alleviate strain through bad posture - dodgy... I see where he's coming from but it is really hard
Having said all of that you are doing really well I think, the stairs is a hard one I think so well done you - be careful in those races though not too fast - sounds great fun and can only be good for you.
Physio never helped me. Gentle Yoga once a week does for me. The yoga teacher puts emphasis on drinking water during the session.
The real success with PT comes with the introduction of stretching and strengthing exercises focused on the 2 worst hit areas (the pelvis/lower back and shoulders). I started out DSNS (ha) as I couldn’t move and built up to a 45 minute stretching & strengthing routine (some strengthing every other day) after an original 5 minute walk to warm up. (Now 20 minute walk) I haven’t been back but I religiously do the same routine 5-6 days a week!
That’s the SECRET!
Not easy - over an hour before work & I’m supposed to MEDITATE, 20 minutes plus fix unprocessed food & Cardio at the gym & sauna when I can fit it in after work. I’M TOO OLD!
Got heartburn on 60 mg prednisone
Devices to wear in case I fall.
Looks like I’m facing back surgery again should I hold at 9mg of prednisone?
Covid vaccine has spiked my PMR
