Neuropathy?

Hello Everyone,

I'm usually in the fibromyalgia forum and I asked this question in the diabetes forum. They gave me helpful advice and also suggested I try the chronic pain forum.

I am wondering if I have neuropathy caused from a lower back injury many years ago and maybe also from a neck injury years before that. The numbness in my muscles began gradually. First in my upper legs then in my lower extremities then into my arms and neck and chest.

What I'm wondering is I'm currently seeing a physical therapist who recently told me that I don't have neuropathy because I could feel his hand on my leg. He wants me to lie on the floor quietly at home and focus on trying to reconnect my mind to my body to feel my muscles again. This feels like a big waste of time to me. It doesn't relax my body because I don't feel it.

What do you think of what he told me, what he would like me to do, and does anyone else have the sensation of not feeling their muscles working?

Thanks so much.

I agree with Chartreux, you should find a new PT. There are some out there that are more like personal trainers or new-age gurus. But others are well trained medical practitioners.

Neurological issues can manifest in a number of ways: pain, tingling, numbness, muscle tightness, lack of muscle control, etc..

You should look into a neurologist and maybe a nerve conduction study.

Thanks everyone for your helpful replies.

This therapist has taught me some stretches to help my neck pain short term. If I overdo the pain returns.

He is also teaching me the importance of trying to maintain a proper posture due to my back injury and that I have to try to keep my stomach muscles tight. I thought keeping my stomach muscles tight meant sucking in my tummy. It's not according to him. If you lie on the floor and touch your stomach see if you can make your stomach muscles feel tight. I use to just suck in my tummy and now I know I haven't been tightening my stomach muscles by doing that. This therapist has taught me the proper way to tighten them. So he has been somewhat helpful. But it is very difficult because I can't feel them tightening unless I put my hand there.

I don't think I'll be going back to him. I'm feeling weaker plus it's causing me more pain. I'll probably go see my chiropractor so I can get some relief. I must be out of adjustment from the bizarre stretches he's done on me--like when he hangs my upper torso off the table and stretches me downward as far as I can go by pressing on my shoulders and head.

Thanks again.

Post Edited (almost medfree) : 1/6/2012 3:51:03 PM (GMT-7)