Anyone else find physio makes things worse?

Does anyone else find this?  I'm not going to sign up for hydro again and am scared to do any stretching exercises from they physio.  I feel like my body is so fragile.

She said "baby steps" were therefore crucial.  It sounds like they are trying all kinds of things at once......maybe too many modalities?  I think the aquatic therapy is great for movement - but it can be overused and aggravate things, too. 

Good luck and keep us posted.  I've never heard of tens unit with laser light - I hope it continues to help.

Lucy

Lucy, thanks so much for following up.  For me, it takes about 2 days to recover (which also means taking my celebrex and not doing any exercises in that time).  I'm with your massage therapist in that it seems to only be making things worse and not helping.  My rheumatologist and my phsiotherapists say i just need to build those muscles up.  Seems like catch-22. 

Yikes...so your issues were made worse from the steriod injections?  How many have you had?  I had it once in January and as the effects were very short lived, I won't bother again.  Very scary though that they caused problems.  Am sorry to hear you have osteo arthritis of teh SI joints.  What treatment do you do?  Does physio help you at all?

Hi kazbern,

Thank you for your response.  Actually, my PT told me to apply heat as I'm very stiff.  So I sit with a heating pad for about 30min before doing the stretches/exercises.  I do take celebrex (a strong prescription NSAID), but try and not take it only when really needed as i have stomach issues.  It's good to hear that PT has helped you as it's encouraging.  That sounds awful how you describe not being able to move off the floor and your other injury.  You seem to describe the exercises I've been given...both stretching back, side, hamstring, muscle as well as strengthening. 

It's frustrating and upsetting not being able to do what we could, isn't it?  From early 20s until the past couple years, I was quite fit (I'm 38 now).  I'm not athletic as I'm not coordinated but do very much enjoy going on an eliptical or exercise bike or going for powerwalks.  It gave me such energy (which I need with 2 young kids!). Now I cannot do either of those.  Sounds like you're the same with your running.  My goal with PT is to be in less daily pain (I sit for a job, which always aggrevates my SI joints) plus would love to be able to do some form of exercise.

My rheumy is now talking about the radiographic injections into the SI joints for the OA - he's referred me to a spine center in August, so we'll see what that doctor says.  I've had some good results from massage therapy over the last 9 months, so I'm inclined to want to keep working on the strengthening and mechanical elements, and avoid the injections.  

My therapist agrees it's a hard decision, but advises that the inflammation also does damage, so sometimes the steroid is needed to calm things down.  She likes to say that prednisone/steroid use is like a credit card with a really high interest rate.  A boon when you really need it -  but it isn't without a downside that has to be dealt with.   Since she can identify inflammation when she works on me, she is inclined to think it worth a try, because right now, I can't do the exercising and stretching without flaring things up - very frustrating.

I agree with Kasbern.  I over did the heat packs for awhile.   I still  use heat most often - but also use cold and /or alternate, as sometimes that feels better.  I believe it does have to do with muscle spasm vs. inflammation......and sometimes there is both going on!

For cold and heat,  I really like www.fomentek.com  - they sell plastic, fillable "bags".  They seal beautifully, last forever, and you can use either cold or warm water and they just sort of mold around you.   I also use microwavable rice bags for heat, but sometimes it's hard to get just the right temperature.

It's interesting that your PT says the massage therapy is going to hurt - but it sounds like the PT's regimen is hurting too!  I get a little sore sometimes during the massage - but the benefits are well worth it.  But not all massage therapists have the same skill levels - like anything else.  I just finally found the right one for me.

After trying hard not to, I've given in and am taking Advil twice a day.  I had trouble with Celebrex - it really dried me out.  I have a Rx for Tramadol, but generally keep it for emergencies - a little fearful of getting hooked.   Also have Prednisone to take in a serious flare.   I'm careful with the Advil because of stomach issues - wish there was an alternative - but it seems to work the best with the least side effect (so far). 

I was told not to use heat more than 20 min. at a time, and to make sure it was moist heat.  A few  years ago after herniating a disc,  I was wearing Therma Care wraps all day and sometimes all night, and/or sitting with heat for an hour or two at a time, and even taking it to bed with me.  Not good!!!  Especially with inflammation.  I still use heat, but pay much closer attention to how often and how long.  I was very surprised once I tried the cold (always sounded like a bad idea) and found that it too, helps calm things down.  So when I've been active and the pain starts up - I start with cold, figuring it needs to cool down the inflammation generated with activity.  The deep toothachey muscle stiffness and spasm seem to respond to the heat.

Good luck with your physio appts.  Keep us posted on your progress - core strength is a biggie - just wish it was easier to attain without the pain!!!