Anyone had physical therapy for their back pain?

[hotdoggy]

I have been out of commission for over 2 weeks due to the back pain from hell. I started physical therapy last week and it seems to be helping but I know I am a long way from being better. I still have pain and I am very uncomfortable when sitting or standing. I have been on some meds for the pain but all they do is make me very sleepy and groggy. I think I will save some of them just in case I ever win a big sweeps cause they will make really good chill pills :smile9: My question is to anyone who has had physical therapy work for them relating to back pain. I have been doing all my stretching exercises at home like I am suppose to and I have not been at the computer very long at all. The physical therapist said sitting for long periods is not good in my condition or anyone as far as that goes. If you have had related problems please let me know how you are doing and how long the therapy had to be done. I have never had anything like this before in my life! :worry: Well, I have been on longer than I should cause my pain is back. I will read as I can. Thanks for listening.


Virginia :frown3:

[groovyguru]

There are several treatments for back pain that I have used.

Ibuprofen/aleve/other - these work well to help reduce inflamation but will not usually ressolve back pain

muscle relaxants - help a little for a couple days only

high strength pain RX - only helps with the pain, does not help you get better

Ice/heat - good for short term pain relief

exercise/walking - good for long term fix, must be gentle at first, no exercise at all just makes your back muscles worse now & in the future

chiropracture - good for a few visits, can bring big improvments quickly, but many try to get you to come back until you run out of benefits or money

accupuncture - helps with muscle spasms when nothing else works

massage - feels good, immediate improvement, may only help for a day or two

lose weight - another good long term relief

physical therapy - not quite a massage or a chiro, helpful if done several times a week, not usually a long term solution

[Glam]

Several years ago I was in a car accident - I already had bad back problems and the accident really messed it up - I would get stuck in all sort of weird positions - I would bend over to turn on the tub and couldn't get up, wave to someone and my arm wouldn't go down, look over my shoulder and couldn't turn my head back...I had about a year of PT during which they made my back unbearably hot (I forget how/with what), deep massaged my muscles/tissue (hard, and very painful, it seemed like getting punched over and over and made tears run down my face), and gave me a series of exercises to do on their machines.

When I started I didn't think I would ever get better, but after some time I stopped getting stuck and the pain was much less. I have back problems again now, not related to the accident, and if I had the chance to do therapy again I definitely would.

[kmesh]

my grandmother use to have a device called a tens unit (SPELLING I'M NOT SURE OF, SORRY). It was a patch that she put on her back and it sent vibrations to her back. It really seemed to help her. Maybe ask your doctor about it.

[groovyguru]

A Tens unit can help too, but mostly prescribed for chronic pain. It does not help you get better, just reduce pain.

[Mary Beth]

Yes, I've had physical therapy help my back pain. You have to keep doing it and it may take a while, but it did help me.

Oh, and they've also told me not to do any one thing (like sit) for more than 20 minutes at a time. If sitting, I have to get up every 20 minutes and walk around for a little bit. I admit that I'm not really good about it.

[Laurie]

I definitely recommend PT. I have bad neck problems and minor back issues. It is really tough at first and you won't feel like there is hope, but keep at it and GO SLOW! I have been going for months and am finally improving. It seems that when I do something new or weight is increased with some exercise, I might feel pretty bad for a few days, but every time this happens, I do seem to improve even more over the next few days. If they give you stuff to do at home, don't over do it! I keep trying to remember that my neurologist did tell me in the beginning that I might get worse before I get better! So you might hurt and get sore by doing things you aren't used to doing. Good luck and let us know the outcome!