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Physical Therapy for Fibro?

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Posted 1/27/2011 6:30 PM (GMT 0)
Has anyone tried physical therapy? Someone told me that she is going (for something else) and she met two people with Fibro who said it helped. My concern, is even light touch bothers me. i noticed one of the things they do is massage and I can't stand massage! It would be nice to learn some stretches and exercises to do though, but then I wonder how much of that I can just learn somewhere else.

kellie
Posted 1/27/2011 6:35 PM (GMT 0)
Kellie,

I've tried it twice (for a couple of weeks each time) and all it did was flare up my fibro big-time. I believe if you can do it gradually enough, it probably helps - if you're doing the right stuff, that is. I've never been able to make it work, but good luck -

Debbie
Posted 1/27/2011 6:39 PM (GMT 0)
I do get massages but they are GENTLE massages.  A deep massage would kill me, too!  There are therapists out there that know how to massage people with chronic pain.  It really does help me a lot.

 

Sherrine

Posted 1/27/2011 11:25 PM (GMT 0)
Bridgett, I have done physical therapy at least 4 times and it never helped, it made my pain worse.  And one time we hit a deer and the chiro that I was seeing took advantage of my Insurance, Big Time!!  For a year I used his machine, it was all in one that was adjustable for different people and different stations for different exercises.  I gradually worked into it and it did not help one bit, did not strengthen my neck muscles either.

The Rheumy that I saw said no PT especially with the rubber bands.  He said swimming or water aerobics.

Posted 1/28/2011 4:26 AM (GMT 0)
Love my massage therapist, she knows exactly how to do my light touch massage, not only does it feel good and soothing, I find that it helps me if I continue to go at regular intervals. It's costly here $65. for an hour, but so worth it, I go every other week, want to go every week, but right now, not in the budget. No other PT for me, the aqua therapy I think would be good, but no warm water pools around here that my insurance takes.
Posted 1/28/2011 6:34 AM (GMT 0)
it's interesting to know what does and doesn't work for people. I know it's different for everyone but was curious as to what responses I would get. I don't really think I'll try it since it is just extra money. I'm not sure if my insurance would cover it. When i had my massage, it was very gentle and it still put me in a flare! It may have also been because I was nervous about it though. i may try it again, but I would want someone who is experienced with Fibro patients. I wish I could swim, but I can't. although water areboics sounds great, but not at 6 am like it is here!
Posted 1/28/2011 6:34 AM (GMT 0)
by the way, I meant, I am not good at swimming (not that I physically can't)
Posted 1/28/2011 6:35 AM (GMT 0)
oh, also, you can call me Kellie- that's my real name. lol. I just didn't want to have that as my user name.
Posted 1/28/2011 6:48 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Kellie! ;-)

I think this is a great question because the answers do confirm how different fibro is for everyone. Just a guess on my part but I think that more people have increased pain with PT than not. But then again, some people have more trouble with sensitive skin than others so that might factor into it.

Personally I tried PT on my doctor's suggestion when he was working on a diagnosis. All it did was increase the pain. There's no future in that...at least not for me anyway. I guess each person has to decide for them self whether or not they want to try or if it helps.

Chutz
Posted 1/29/2011 11:53 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Kellie,

The only reason why a physical therapist was able to help me is because he is non-conventional. There was no set procedure for my sessions, and he would only let one other pt in the practice work on me. This was 10 years ago. I am grateful for that man, because he kept me moving, even before the fibro dx.

The most important things he taught me:

(1) To trust the signals coming from my body. If ice feels good in the moment use it. If tomorrow heat feels good, don't wonder why, just use it. Same concept with exercise and stretches.

(2) Keep Moving! Don't lie in bed waiting for the pain to go away. Just get up and start my day anyhow.

(3) Keep my posture. Ergonomics are key. Never knew I needed to taught how to bend, sit and walk! But it worked.


Free Spirit
Posted 1/30/2011 5:12 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks "Free Spirit" for your advice!!
Posted 1/30/2011 11:53 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks Kellie :-)
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