Physical Therapy - ThinnerTimes

fisher1000 · 03-12-2008, 09:01 PM

Hi Folks...thought I'd share this and see what you thought:

About two months after the surgery, I started having some back issues. It wasn't that serious, but my back just felt sore across my upper back, the way it feels if you slouch for a long time and then try to sit up straight. It wasn't hugely painful, but it was uncomfortable, so in late January I started seeing a Chiropractor. (I've posted some of this before)

After 7 sessions, I didn't think the Chiro was doing much good so I went back to the doctor and she prescribed Physical Therapy--which I've never done before. My first appointment last week went pretty well. The therapist asked a lot of questions, assessed my range of movement and went through several stretches to help strengthen my back. Both her and the chiro were coming to the same conclusion: that the muscles in my back were weak and that my center of gravity was different, therefore I'm walking differently, and the slight change in posture is affecting my upper back. Both said that those muscles in that area need to be strengthened and that with time and continued weight loss, there wouldn't be a problem.

On Monday, I went back for the second PT session and was really embarrassed and don't know if I'm justified in how I'm feeling about the whole thing. This time, I was in a room full of people and therapists and I was able to hear all of the medical issues going on with everyone else. Likewise, anything my therapist discussed with me was loud and I'm sure everyone heard her too. (Whether they cared or not...) She took me through several exercises that were not much different than what I was already doing, or COULD do at the gym or at home, the only difference being that I felt like a moron who was being patronized and I felt absolutely ridiculous. I was kind of angry (well as angry as I can get, which is not much--I'm pretty laid back) when I left, the whole experience just left a bad taste in my mouth.

I'm scheduled to go back on Saturday but I don't want to go. I've got to call in tomorrow and cancel but I can't think of a good excuse besides I hated the way I felt while I was there. Do you think it's okay to just let this go and do the exercises and stretches on my own? It's not about money or anything--the insurance is covering it with just me paying a copay. I just didn't feel like that it was a) whatsoever private, b) nothing more than I could do on my own, and c) unnecessarily embarrassing.

If you read all of this, bless you. I think I'm just writing it out really for myself to help me evaluate the situation. The thing that is making me hedge is the fact that the doctor prescribed the therapy. I don't know why the hell she couldn't have just given me a handful of muscle relaxers and Vicodin. I'm trying really hard to do what I'm supposed to do because I want this to work very very well--all aspects of it, regardless of whether this counts as a complication or just a slight resultant bother. I don't think I'm being lazy or small minded, I just don't want to put myself through it again--

-Mike

Toony · 03-13-2008, 01:21 AM

Mike, that is a horrendous experience!

I've typed out my reply here a half dozen times - and just don't know what to say or how to say it. I totally empathize with you - and feel like the PT Dept. you visited needs a good shaking up! The way you were treated violates all sorts of HIPA rules....

My experience with PT is bad enough (being made to feel STUPID) without the public humilation! I dunno --- I don't think I'd go back if it were me... I'd probably work on the exercises and stretches on my own and return to my dr. if there was no improvement.

Wish I could help more!

Your pal, Katie

nextbigloser · 03-13-2008, 05:26 AM

Mike I had some back pain for a while in my upper back. I think it is my posture and lets face it my boobs. As I am getting smaller it feels better. My PCP said it was all muscular and stretches were what I needed to do.

If you feel comfortable doing the exercises yourself I would say go for it and if you need to go back then go back.

Is this a common problem with weight loss?

cnc904 · 03-13-2008, 06:12 AM

Mike,
I used to work at a physical therapy office and there was always private rooms to avoid situations like that.
Also,did they even do ultrasound or massage to help the pain first ?
PT can't give scripts for meds unfortanutely ,you would have to go back to your doctor for that.
I would make a few phone calls to other offices to see there set up and then transfer your records . Even if you feel funny about changing offices the new one can get your records for you.
You could also go back to the gym yourself and find a good massage therapist to help you.Some even take insurance.
Feel better,Chrissie

coptergirl · 03-13-2008, 06:48 AM

If this is the only PT office available to you, I would talk to your PT and be honest about why you're uncomfortable and to see if they could accomodate you. If you have others available to you, I would move on

I personally hated PT when I had back issues - I was overweight...period and until I lost the weight (3 years prior to GBS), my back was gonna be an issue. Post GBS, I did have lower back issues, but it was because my body was adjusting, but once it was done, I was fine (until I lifted a heavy table in December, and then compound it by riding horses every week...**sigh**). Eventually it should pass, but if your doc sent you to PT, I would continue the regimine...

Corrine · 03-13-2008, 07:32 AM

Mike - I'd have to tell the PT how I felt. Leaving a patient feeling humiliated is unacceptable and unless you make them aware of this, it will just continue.

I'm with Whitney on continuing with the PT - you never know when back issues are going to come back and bite you in the butt.

katzz87 · 03-13-2008, 08:57 AM

Some PT is really a joke...unless you go to one that specializes in INDIVIDUAL therapy. I've gone off and on (so has my daughter) and it's basically..."Oh, you hurt here, do this" and not an individual type therapy. Not sure that made sense.

My daughters orthopedic doctor said that the PT office they use is pretty useless...things you could do on your own...but that there are a few EXCELLANT PT offices around.

Good luck...and you should never be humiliated...unless that's what you enjoy!

Godsblessedme · 03-13-2008, 10:21 AM

i have to say STOP GOING TO A CHIROPRACTOR! They do nothing but make the situation worse. My current BIO professor is a Physical therapist and we've been learning that most back problems really do arrise from poor posture. PT is not a joke they actually know more how to get the kinks and things worked out more than an MD. Seriously, they specialize in the muscles, and nerves. thats why when a physician recommends PT its because the MD's have no clue exactly where the origin is, even on xrays sometimes.

Quote:

I'm walking differently, and the slight change in posture is affecting my upper back. Both said that those muscles in that area need to be strengthened and that with time and continued weight loss, there wouldn't be a problem.

she is correct with that conclusion. keep at it and the strenghthening and you will be great in no time.
If your uncomfortable with her, change another PT but i think after 6 weeks you should be okay to continue on your own unless new issues arrise but again please DC that chiropractor they really do make the problems worse its like a bandaid fix.

sdgrrl · 03-13-2008, 11:49 AM

I have had tons of chiropractic, PT, meds, surgery, nerve root injections--anything to help make my back not kill. I definitely think chiro has its place in the equation, but many times by the time one goes to chiro, the process is further along than chiro can accommodate.

I have to agree about the HIPAA violations--I have felt very uncomfortable when I've been in the 'group barn' and symptoms, conditions, jokes, stock information gets traded back and forth as if it was a physical support group. I used to always tell my staff to treat every patient as if s/he was Brad Pitt, and how comfortable would Brad be with his medical info being bandied about in public. I don't know how PT treatment centers get away with their approach.

Just getting muscle relaxants and pain meds won't help your backs mend. It will get rid of the symptoms, but won't help you strengthen your core muscles, which is what they need you to do. You carry yourself differently now, and you need to use the muscles that haven't been needed in a while.

If you bear with it (after speaking with the PT staff, of course) you may find that you will learn things to do long after you're done with their course.

Good luck, and I hope the PT staff can deal with your discomfort. They should be able to, and hopefully they can help get those parts of you to start doing the job they were created to do. Let us know what happens!

Claire-in-Texas · 03-13-2008, 01:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fisher1000

Hi Folks...thought I'd share this and see what you thought:

About two months after the surgery, I started having some back issues. It wasn't that serious, but my back just felt sore across my upper back, the way it feels if you slouch for a long time and then try to sit up straight. It wasn't hugely painful, but it was uncomfortable, so in late January I started seeing a Chiropractor. (I've posted some of this before)

After 7 sessions, I didn't think the Chiro was doing much good so I went back to the doctor and she prescribed Physical Therapy--which I've never done before. My first appointment last week went pretty well. The therapist asked a lot of questions, assessed my range of movement and went through several stretches to help strengthen my back. Both her and the chiro were coming to the same conclusion: that the muscles in my back were weak and that my center of gravity was different, therefore I'm walking differently, and the slight change in posture is affecting my upper back. Both said that those muscles in that area need to be strengthened and that with time and continued weight loss, there wouldn't be a problem.

On Monday, I went back for the second PT session and was really embarrassed and don't know if I'm justified in how I'm feeling about the whole thing. This time, I was in a room full of people and therapists and I was able to hear all of the medical issues going on with everyone else. Likewise, anything my therapist discussed with me was loud and I'm sure everyone heard her too. (Whether they cared or not...) She took me through several exercises that were not much different than what I was already doing, or COULD do at the gym or at home, the only difference being that I felt like a moron who was being patronized and I felt absolutely ridiculous. I was kind of angry (well as angry as I can get, which is not much--I'm pretty laid back) when I left, the whole experience just left a bad taste in my mouth.

I'm scheduled to go back on Saturday but I don't want to go. I've got to call in tomorrow and cancel but I can't think of a good excuse besides I hated the way I felt while I was there. Do you think it's okay to just let this go and do the exercises and stretches on my own? It's not about money or anything--the insurance is covering it with just me paying a copay. I just didn't feel like that it was a) whatsoever private, b) nothing more than I could do on my own, and c) unnecessarily embarrassing.

If you read all of this, bless you. I think I'm just writing it out really for myself to help me evaluate the situation. The thing that is making me hedge is the fact that the doctor prescribed the therapy. I don't know why the hell she couldn't have just given me a handful of muscle relaxers and Vicodin. I'm trying really hard to do what I'm supposed to do because I want this to work very very well--all aspects of it, regardless of whether this counts as a complication or just a slight resultant bother. I don't think I'm being lazy or small minded, I just don't want to put myself through it again--

-Mike

Mike, I had PT that changed my life for the better, and I hate it that you had such a nightmare experience. Yes, you can do the exercises at home, of course. However, I would call the doctor who referred you and tell him your experience. I definitely would call and cancel the PT, and I would tell them why. I think they need to know.

All of my personal medical stuff was done in a private room. When doing the therapy, I was in with other people, and I didn't mind that at all.

How awful.....