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Physical Therapy Doctor with a PHD who specializes in lower body issues

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Posted 4/20/2015 10:00 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Everyone,

I went to see my new physical therapy doctor this afternoon and I was very impressed. She said people with fibromyalgia are hypersensitive and hyper reactive. She did a pelvic exam and my muscles are very weak and extremely tight. She mentioned a lot of women have this issue.

According to this doctor, just like every other part of the body, pelvic & breast symptoms occur when muscles, nerves & ligaments become weak, tight, entrapped, develop trigger points, become scarred, or have been injured or surgically altered without proper rehab or repair.

Symptoms may be pelvic or breast pain, back or shoulder pain, urination problems, constipation, loose stools, sexual limitations or pain, limited range of motion, weakness or problems during or after pregnancy, difficulty taking deep breaths, chest tightness, poor posture, etc.

I've had many of these symptoms for a lot of years so this should be interesting.

I'll be seeing her again and also seeing a occupational therapist at her practice. We'll see if it helps. In the meantime she gave me some homework--big belly blow breathing and what's called the lazy frog position.

Post Edited (almost medfree) : 4/20/2015 4:04:41 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 4/21/2015 12:42 AM (GMT 0)
Physical therapy can really help us in many ways..loosen restrictions, help with strength...she sounds pretty good...

We are in a storm pattern, i hold my breath more as pain flares.so thanks for the reminder to breathe deeper : )

I will have to look up the lazy frog...i forget the names of these exercises..
Posted 4/21/2015 9:27 AM (GMT 0)
HI Ljm, I hope you did okay with your storm system passing through.

I thought I should add to my above post that I'm looking into whether this big belly blow breathing is a good idea. This new doctor works with a urogynecologist so you would think everything she suggested yesterday is above board.

The big belly blow goes against what I've been hearing when it comes to the importance of breathing diaphragmatically. Rather than inhaling with the stomach extended, the big belly blow is exhaling with your stomach extended.

I recently learned that I have vocal cord dysfunction which is when I breathe in my vocal cords close most of the way rather than opening, and I'm suppose to be practicing doing a better job of breathing diaphragmatically.
Posted 4/21/2015 11:32 AM (GMT 0)
I do deep breathing exercises the old way...with the stomach moving out when inhaling...like what you see babies doing. So many of us move our shoulders when taking a deep breath.

You have to do what your gut feeling is, Almost. There are so many opinions out there and they all can't be right. I listen to my doctors usually but sometimes I don't agree with them and do what my instinct tells me to do.

Sherrine
Posted 4/21/2015 9:51 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks, Sherrine.

I found out today that this doctor does know what she's doing. She's very reputable. So I'm working at performing my big belly breathing as often as I think of it.
Posted 4/24/2015 12:05 PM (GMT 0)
I am doing the same for shoulder issues. I am 35 -40%impaired on my right hand & arm. The place I found is great. They really understand Fibro and CRPS and are including desensitization work with it.

It is hard though. I don't feel like I am doing a lot while I am there, but the next day, I really hurt. The muscles on the back of my shoulder swell up and I can't stand to be touched by a pillow. I have to do something because my CRPS is progressing. Fibro is not very happy about it. On a positive note, they understand about cold vs heat for us. They heat every area they are going to work with.

I have to stop whining about it. I know it's good for me, I just really hate doing it because I dread all the swelling.
Posted 4/24/2015 1:23 PM (GMT 0)
My lymphatics were blocked in my right leg, which caused the fluid to collect in that leg...when they released it ..i lost 16 lbs overnight.

The fluid collection was caused by an old ankle injury, which had never shown up on tests. So the fluid would return until they figured this out..fortunately they could relocate the ankle and the fluid never came back..

Its good you have found good people to work on you.we do have mini flares from the work, but over the long run, it helps.
Posted 4/26/2015 12:48 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you for sharing. it sounds like you might have found a good pt. I'm sorry for not responding sooner. I have been away with my family and now I'm going back and looking at the post here.

You asked me about an integrative doctor. My first appointment is tomorrow so we'll see. this type of doc is a holistic doctor . They are supposed to assess your whole body. I am hoping she will work on my hormones as well because I feel alot of flare ups during hormonal changes. I read wear they work with supplements and acupuncture and others things like massage. Sorry I'm not doing good a description.

Thank you for the exercises. I have never heard of the belly breathing and lazy frog . With the frog position, do your feet touch each other? Also do you lie your chest on a pillow or on the floor. I tried looking this up but found different positions online. I am wondering if I started doing something similar, like a "w" position with the legs . I lie with my chest on a pillow , knees bent, feet not touching but toes pointing out. This feels good on my thighs. How often does you pt want you to do these stretches?

Thank you again for sharing, I have been discouraged with finding a doctor or pt to help me.
Posted 4/26/2015 6:03 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you, everyone, for your replies.

Ljm, I'm glad your ankle was helped!

Firefly, sorry to hear about your pain issues. I've also been seeing a massage therapist who performs cranial work. So far she's (not fixed) but helped my neck and my tailbone and headache issues. This is what it says in her website: CranioSacral Therapy (CST). CST is gentle and works with the subtle rhythms of the body as cerebrospinal fluid flows through the Central Nervous System. During therapy, restrictions are released in the fascia, or thin connective tissue, in the body.

Purple, I hope you'll let us know how it goes with this new doctor. about finding a good doctor, before I moved I had a really good rheumatologist that I found through a fibromyalgia support group. She was highly recommended.

Don't be concerned about your descriptions in your posts, we all make mistakes. It's what's said that counts.

With the frog position, yes, your feet do touch. It's suppose to be a good stretch for our hips and thighs. It's strange though to try to do this big belly breathing. I've felt for years I wanted to keep my abdominal muscles in as tight as possible after having kids. With this new breathing the belly hangs out as far as possible with the exhalations. But the therapist said it would help strengthen my abs. We'll see how it goes. I see an occupational therapist associated with her on Tuesday.

Good luck tomorrow, purple.

Post Edited (almost medfree) : 4/26/2015 12:06:01 PM (GMT-6)

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