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First day at Physical therapy

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Chronic Pain
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Posted 4/29/2008 9:11 AM (GMT 0)
So far pt is going well. I love the traction machine it really helped out my back by stretching my back out .  Im in a little less pain I go back on wed.  it hurt back a little when I was in it and I had my normal back pain but afterward it helped my back.  I hope everyone has a lpd.
Posted 4/29/2008 1:50 PM (GMT 0)
Hi kara,

Thanks for reporting on your PT. Many people have never had PT and wonder how it feels, if it helps, or think they might want to try it. Keep us posted.

Chutz
Posted 4/29/2008 7:54 PM (GMT 0)
Hi, Kara,
What you're describing is what my physical therapist told me I was supposed to feel with traction, so that seems like a good sign. When he put me in traction (a year or two ago) what happened was I felt better for 24 hours, then got more pain. He said it was supposed to work the other way around; some initial discomfort, but then feeling slowly a little better. So this sounds like a good sign! Your body will probably tell you, though, so if it's more than a little soreness or discomfort, be sure to tell them.

Good luck!
PaLady
Posted 4/29/2008 10:29 PM (GMT 0)
Kara,
I wish you more and continued success with your PT. Traction can work for a lot of people. Just be careful like gramps said and don't let them push you too hard or to fast.
Lots of well wishes and soft hugz....
Posted 4/30/2008 5:21 PM (GMT 0)
Hi,
I've been through pt many, many times and I have never heard of traction in pt. What exactly is it? The last time I had traction was over 30 years ago and it involved being in the hospital and being strapped to a pulley system that went around my waist and had what I assumed was heavy bags of samd attached via cords and pulleys attached to a belt around my waist while I lied in the bed. It sounds like a torture device and kinda looked like one too. lol. Well it was in the 70s and I'm sure things have come a long way since then.
So if you have a minute will someone tell me what it is, please.
Thank you, Toritoo
Posted 4/30/2008 7:59 PM (GMT 0)
Toritoo,
LIke you've I've had more PT than I can count! But in many cases it's been extremely helpful, especially for my neck, and to help me get mobility back, although it can't really help nerve pain that isn't caused by muslce tighness. You're right, the traction has changed considerably, although it's still the same concept. Now there's usually a little machine that can be set more precisely to put slowly increasing amounts of tension on the pulleys, and you're kind of strapped in a bit more comfortably (well, not strapped, but I can't think of a good word!) now. It's not as uncomfortable, and I think it a lot more controlled.

By the way, I don't think all PT's do it. The equipment is very expensive. My PT also told me it's basically the same thing chiropractors advertise as "decompression therapy". And I'd much rather have a PT overseeing that treatment than a chiro. (not that chiropractors don't help some, but I don't think they know as much about muscle involvement). As I said above, my PT stopped after 2 treatments when he realized that it was increasing my symptoms in ways it wasn't supposed to. I sure wish it had worked!

Kara can probably describe what it's like for her as a first timer!

PaLady
Posted 5/2/2008 12:59 AM (GMT 0)
     yeah Thank you PALady for the second time today you have helped me find information and I really do appreciate it. The last time I had PT was in Oct. and Nov. of last year and while I never was hooked up to a traction contraption my Physical Therapist did do some thing to align my back. I layed on a table and after she lined up my legs, one is a bit shorter than the other, she would take the shorter leg and gently put firmly pull on my leg till my ankle bones matched. It worked wonders so I am assuming that she was giving me a sort of traction. Anywho, thanks again.

                                         Toritoo

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