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Any physical therapists here!!!

The TVClubHouse: General Discussions ARCHIVES: Jul. 2007 ~ Sept. 2007: Health Center (ARCHIVES): Any physical therapists here!!! users admin

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Sherbabe
Member

07-28-2002

Tuesday, August 21, 2007 - 11:36 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Sherbabe a private message Print Post    
I've been diagnosed with a buldging disk. In my vertebrae my C 5, C 6 and C 7 have issues. I had intense pain for awhile. Was prescribed vicodin and percocet. The pain has subsided, but, will persist if i have tasks to do (and what mother/wife doesn't). Been using a cold pack for that.
Trouble is, i have major numbness/tingling in my left arm when my neck/shoulder/arm is in a certain position. It must hit on the nerve. It is quite annoying. Needless to say, I am not working...the insurance is a pain in the neck as well.
I am doing physical therapy 3 times a week. Just wondering if any PT workers are here and if they have any advice. Does PT work, if it does not they what is next.

Serate
Member

08-21-2001

Wednesday, August 22, 2007 - 9:10 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Serate a private message Print Post    
I really don't think you will find a Physical Therapist that will say Physical Therapy will not work. It's kinda like asking a Coke distributer if Coke is really better than Pepsi.

I do know that in alot of cases it takes a while for PT to show any progress, but it is worth it in the end. PT is not a quick fix.

Christina
Member

08-07-2005

Tuesday, September 25, 2007 - 4:27 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Christina a private message Print Post    
just saw this post...and would like to say that I am suffering numbness and pain. In another area. Hip and lower leg. I have been to 3 therapy sessions and have had some improvement already. Through ultra sound, ice and some shock therapy thingy to the pained area. Also some exersise, and a little education has gone a long way. A few sessions will let you know if PT is what you need. It wont hurt. Hope this helps!

Nan
Member

09-25-2000

Tuesday, September 25, 2007 - 4:54 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Nan a private message Print Post    
Hi..I have bulging discs...lower back. I have had them for going on 4 years. At first, pain was intense and awful, did the pt for a while, and noticed a little difference, what also helped with my pt was the education on how to go about doing everyday things...and how to do them with less stress on the back. Another thing they did..not sure of the technical term...they put me on a table that pulled apart, and stretched me..maybe 20 minutes at a time, that did help. Anyhow...4 years later, and still have problems off and on, if I do something hastily and not carefully, I may end up having pain and/or numbness for a few days..this is much better than before, because the numbness, etc would last for weeks. I have found that I have limitations, but I have gotten probably 80% better. I also use an "inverse table" and that also helps. It will get better, it just seems to take time with "disc" problems. Sometimes surgery is a good option, if you haven't seen a neurosurgeon, perhaps you might want to go that way. The neck and arm problem sounds similar to my husbands, and he has disc problems in his neck, Sometimes oral prednisone (that really worked for me too, but there can be side effects) .....or even injections work, every case can be different, plus what works for one doesn't work for the other. You kind of have to keep going through your options till you find one that works. Best wishes.

Sunshyne4u
Member

06-17-2003

Friday, September 28, 2007 - 12:32 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Sunshyne4u a private message Print Post    
I have severe neck problems including degrading vertebrae c3 c4

I will occ'ly have both arms go to sleep pins n needles.

I was NOT helped by any physical therapies for the 20 yrs I've tried. Been to four different KIND of physios and two actually did damage to me that has never healed.

it is truly about whether they explain what they are doing to you, how LONG they feel they need to do it and what you feel is being accomplished.

My suggestion, and the ONLY thing that has ever worked for me, is Cranial Sacral therapy done by a trained Physiotherapist.

I have a Pain Physio Center nearby and initally went to the lady due to the fact she used a laser.

Lasers are great and way better than Ultrasound on the sensitive neck area.

they promote deep tissue healing and helps with inflammation.

the practitioner then convinced me to allow her to try Cranial Sacral therapy.

after being Hurt by the other physios, I dont let anyone work on my neck, not Chiropractors anymore and not even massage therapists.

The therapist stood by my head as i lay down relaxing as much as possible. She put both hands gently under my head. Then she moved them to my ears, then my neck for a short while until I begged her to stop as It made me nauseaous.

Strangely i never felt any pressure or pain. There was just a gentle sensation of relaxing and relief.

the sacral part of the therapy was even less invasive.

She put a hand under my tailbone and one hand under my head/ neck....and just gently held.

When I got up I felt taller as the muscles in my neck released and for the first time in years, I didnt have the severe pain in the neck.

It did not last. However, I consider physio to be a great bandaid to a chronic condition.

mind you, my condition is much different.

With a gentle touch from Cranial Sacral, I can imagine that the bulging disc could return to normal position once the pressure is released.

Chiropractic also could work but that can be extremely painful and often there is increased tissue swelling due to the 'manipulation'.

especially if they use that Gun.

Sunshyne4u
Member

06-17-2003

Friday, September 28, 2007 - 12:36 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Sunshyne4u a private message Print Post    
oh and I'm not sure, but I think Hukdonreality is a physio!

maybe there is a members folder for Hukd??

Mameblanche
Member

08-24-2002

Friday, September 28, 2007 - 5:53 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Mameblanche a private message Print Post    
Massage has always worked better for me personally, than physio or chiro. Just my 2 cents here. And I prefer heat to ice - most of the time. I have whiplash in my neck and JUST found out this month that I have arthritis in my neck, amoong other places, like my knees. I sometimes use ice on my neck... but now that I know I have arthritis I am not sure which is better, although I suspect it is heat.

Christina
Member

08-07-2005

Sunday, September 30, 2007 - 4:06 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Christina a private message Print Post    
Mameblanche, ice, ice, ice....I have been suffering for a long time. I have finally taken the dr. advice to use ice. It works well. I like the heat to, but I have a nice hot bath first, then use ice. Love it.

Mameblanche
Member

08-24-2002

Sunday, September 30, 2007 - 7:53 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Mameblanche a private message Print Post    
Christina my physiotherapist agrees with you. Over the years I've discovered what works for me, is ice or heat on neck, and heat only on my back. I LOVE my hot baths, but the shape of the tub is such that I always have a stiff sore neck afterwards, and I take LOOOOONG baths. I've been known to start AND finish a book in one bath! But the arthritis is a new affliction shall we say, so its a learning curve for me.