Liza Jane,
Thanks for all the good suggestions. I searched for Feldenkrais and found a center on the w/s which I’ll contact after the holiday. Can you pm me with the name of the myofascial release therapist who helped you?

I had an acupuncture consult at Sloan and the doc was pessimistic about the outcome, given the long duration of the symptoms. He said I’d know if it was working after 6 treatments and although I said I’d try it, I changed my mind. His pessimism turned me off. Maybe I just need to find someone who may not guarantee results but at least doesn’t offer gloom and doom.

Dahlek,
I have Medicare so I am pretty much free to go to almost any kind of doc (but no acupuncture coverage for some reason). There’s unlimited PT if done in an outpatient hospital setting. I’d have to pay out-of-pocket for the non M.D. therapies you mentioned, which sound worth pursuing.

I use cabs to get around. In a lot of ways, being disabled in Manhattan is not as inconvenient as having to drive myself or asking others to drive me. There’s a disability van service but it means often waiting 30-40 minutes or sometimes they don’t show at all. I use it when I’m pressed for $$$. Doesn’t DC have such a service? I believe it’s a mandate of the ADA.

Gramps,
I feel so bad that all the meds you take are doing so little to help you. Let’s pray that Mayo comes up with some effective pain relief. I’m going to try the approach you suggest & behave as though I never, ever applied. I just hope they don’t have my SS# in their computer!! Beth Israel is just across town and I never think of it, mostly because all my medical care has been @ Sloan. But so far Sloan (except for cancer) has come up short in post-treatment therapies.

fanfaire,
I will definitely try the myofascial release you recommend. If it weren't for this forum, I'd never know such therapy existed. Thank you for sharing your experience with it.

Have a great weekend! Thanks again to everyone for their thoughts and suggestions.