RA and Physical Therapy

Have people gone to PT to deal with their RA, and has it been successful? I have arthritis throughout most of my major joints: knee, hip, back, shoulder, neck, hands, wrists, feet, etc. Could PT help me with my pain level and increase my mobility, especially in my neck and shoulders?

It really helped my Degerative disk disease, torn rotator cuff, and planter's facititis. Ultrasonic therapy really helps break up the scar tissue.

couchtater, Where do you have DDD? I am in therapy for ddd in neck and shoulder but I just keep getting worse. My PT is about to give up cause she says it is causing Fibro flares but I really dont want to start on meds again. Im in so much pain I am really getting desperate here. Im 53 and the medicine they give now is some scarry stuff.  Have tried tens and excercise and stretching, just keeps getting worse. Maybe it is my Fibro but I really want to try to treat my arthritis with exercise. This is changing the subject but what happened to Feldene and meds. that DIDNOT affect you ablility to fight off infections or maybe cause cancer. Geez I am afraid to take those. It was good to hear that the therapy helped your DDD. Take care.

 

Joy, I think I remember you from IBS forum. I cant take tylenol anymore,high liver levels. If I take my Savella Im not suppose to take Ibuprophen or Amerix. My shoulder now has a tear,ddd,busitis,and fluid on rotator cuff and it is really hurting. My neck is now causing spasm all the way across my back. I dont want to stop therapy cause I cant hardly move my neck or shoulder but it really isnt helping. Im taking Amerix or flexeril(cant see that either one is helping) and Ibuprophen and Im not getting any relief. Have tramedol but it says not to take with amerix. MY Rheumy had me take Tramedol, Amerix,Savella,and diclofenac!!!The pain went away after a week and a few hours later I was TOTALLY NUMB!! Scared me to death. I could not even walk. I had got cortizone shot also. Now I am afraid to take meds. I have spent 2 months while on FMLA trying to find a fix and Im not any better. Oh well, must keep trying. My RHeumy says Im just sensitive to meds. My late husband used Feldene and it worked great 10 years ago. Im going to ask for it. Sometimes I think they just want us to try the new meds. going to rheemy Dr. next week. Thanks for the info. Maybe I will try therapy again in a few months.

 

I am going to PT now, and the ultrasound really helps my elbows and knees.

I believe the ultrasound helped my planters faciitis.