Physical Therapy

Sarrah,
I've had tons of PT throughout my life. I'm in my late 50's now, but my neck problems started in my 30's. No known reason, although as look back I can say during my 30's I carried a lot of heavy purses and briefcases with my left arm/hand and I know that had to have contributed. Doctors back then just wanted to put me on meds and I said NO and went to PT. But I had to find the right PT, and since it was my first experience with PT, I didn't know about differences between them. One I had actually made things worse because she wasn't paying attention when she was working on me. So now I always ask first what a massage therapist or PT is going to do to my neck, before I OK them touching me. But i digress!

I had a magnificent PT back in the mid 1990's who worked on my neck and taught me all kinds of exercises, which I use to this day. I actually still think of her because she truly gave me a gift. Unfortunately she moved out of town. Is the problem cured? No. It's still there. But I've never had surgery on my neck, and rarely even need PT (I just had a couple of sessions on my neck which was the first time in years because I can mostly manage it myself). I do have to use a good pillow at night, watch my posture (at the computer is critical!) and use a lot of heat and stretches to keep my neck "ok". I had hoped the same thing would be true of my lower back, but PT helped but not enough to take away the symptoms that go down my legs and into my feet. So I ended up with surgery on my lumbar spine, and even that didn't help. I still go to PT, though, but stretch my sessions out. It sure helps to have the muscles loosened, and my PT can put my SI joint back in place, but he can't help with the nerve pain and he and I both know it. So I'm a huge believer in PT, and sometimes if it's just muslce problems you may be able to actualy cure things. But I think in most cases it at least is part of overall management of pain.

Sorry to be so long-winded!!

PaLady

Hi Sarrah,

I am only new here but a can say I have ton’s of PT over the last 18months at a minimum twice a week. As I have a lower back problem I found that the time of the day makes a big difference for me late morning is the best as early morning I am to sore and late afternoon I am too tired. Also try different PT’s as depending on their background will affect how they treat you. For example I have some that do not push you as they are worried about hurting you more. And the old saying no pain no gain I found is true. But the pain should settle down again I have found usually around three to four hours afterwards.

I found also acupuncture worked great for me but speak with your PT and DRs.
I hope this was helpful

David