I hope no one minds. I found this thread very helpful.

I've been working with a physical therapist, for neck and shoulder pains,
trying to get past a set of tense muscles that are causing vertigo,
and other issues. But we are thinking we may be dealing with inner ear
or balance disorders so I saw physical therapy and had to read.

Have any of you ever had stimuli.

Or something like that.

Donna

I do massage too, but of course it isn't covered by insurance. Physical therapists have pushed me over the limit as well.

My masseuse is wonderful and I try to go twice a month. I wish I could afford to go every week. I was told that the clinic here, you can buy a package making each session with a massage therapist cheaper, but I love my current masseuse, she's the best.

Wittesea, just tell your doc what you've told us here. I've been told aqua therapy is one of the best as well.

My RT offered to write me a prescription for aqua-therapy twice a week. He said that's the only kind of physical therapy he would recommend for someone with serious fibro. The only problem with that is that I can't stand being underwater for more than a minute. The pressure from the water presses in on my abdomen, where it's very tender, and becomes unbearable very quickly. Anyone else ever experience that?

Yes, I've had the electric stim, and it can be helpful. Just don't get up off the pad while it's running.
Massage is great. I've also gotten some benefit from acupuncture. My rheumy is actually recommending it now.
I think the only exercise we fibros are supposed to do are walking and being in the water.

I had 3 mos of PT last fall/winter.

And I learned quite a bit.

1) They do not like giving massages. That is not what they are trained for,
and actually I was told, they resent it.

2) I had IFc and ultrasound alot....this was wonderful. Very healing.

3) there are "gung ho" types... of therapist. I had a gentle one and she
was really good. Allowed me to heal without pushing. (AGE is a factor for me
so we heal more slowly).

4) You can buy a wonderful massager...some of us on PN bought this last spring. I use it for muscle relaxation...since I have "hot spots" like trigger points sometimes. It really releases them quickly. And it doesn't cost an arm or a leg, and you have it at home for whenever you need it.
It is called a Magnassger. My mail carrier gets treatments at his Chiro with this and was amazed when he delivered it to me!
http://www.magnassager.com/

MelodyL on PN here also uses it for her husband.

5) People who are hypermobile, have more problems than people who are more tightly tendoned (like me)... each have unique problems. I have problems stretching, but the hypermobile people over extend and damage tissue that way. My therapist said, hypermobile patients have more back issues as they age (and I believe that, since my back has always been a low problem area inspite of horrible arthritic changes in X-rays for me).

The expectations for my healing were underestimated. I am finally better now, a YEAR later, but they were pushing me to a 6mo recovery schedule. So in the end we decided I would be released, and work on my own. I was getting alot of pain in my knees from their extreme stretching...so by doing it myself, I had to heal my knees up from the PT...not a nice way to go.

Each person is different. I would also make sure that nutritional status is taken care of. Vit C and copper are crucial for collagen/tendon support.
Also SAMe is a great help for arthritis/joint issues.

I don't like water therapy either...I almost drowned when I was little, and I have always had a water phobia. I've had some desensitization for it..so I can deal with it some...but not a full cure. Many people like the water therapy however, and it is easier on the joints.

Don't underestimate food intolerances/pain/arthritis issues. I have been gluten free (no wheat) for 2 yrs now but was surprised to find out that citrus, esp
orange juice really was adding to my woes. I cut out all orange products in June and my knees just quit hurting within a month. I believe that many chronic ills, or autoimmune issues can be traced to reactions to food.
Visit our Gluten forum, and The Gluten File for a taste of how complex it can get...and how simple a solution can be found. But it is not simple to change the lifestyle appropriately, since we all have "comfort foods"... and it is very very hard to give those up.

There is a very good book by a physican who specializes is obesity, but she also has good information on elimination diets for health:
www.obesitysanswer.com
Her book goes into great detail, and that is where I suspected the orange juice (which I was really addicted to).

Fibro patients have been found to have low B12 in the spinal cord fluid.
So attention to B12 (see our vitamin forum) may help some of you.
http://www.immunesupport.com/healthw...8/98sum003.cfm

I was one of those women who had that general diagnosis of maybe fibro, many years ago. At that time, it was not as commonly recognized as today. When I started supplements in earnest over 10 yrs ago, most of my muscle issues resolved. I use high potassium containing foods,
good magnesium sources, 500mg Vit c, carnitine when exercising alot, and B12 and methylfolate now. (EFAs are now in foods, but then I used fish oil and flax oil as well). I get my EFAs from food now. When I did this, the suspected fibro
diagnosis, became history.

PT is a mixed experience...it all depends on who you get as a therapist.
That is why you see so many posts on it.

Hi Wittesea

Could you not ask your doc if she/he knows of any PT therapists that are familiar with fibro, myofascial pain, and connective tissue diseases and hyperflexibility?

Maybe an experienced sports PT therapist?

When I went to therapy it was to try to strengthen my lower back. I had a great therapist and afterwards a 30 minute massage by their massage therapist. She said that she had patients that wanted her to do pressure point massage on them so hard she refused. She told me this after I had told her how rough the previous massage therapist I had had was on me and how I would get headaches after I left.

I would have to warm up on the bicycle for 15 minutes before doing anything and my legs would just kill me. I thought it might be just from not doing that in a very long while and I tried to give it a chance. A doctor told me long ago it was something I needed to stop because of my knees but I love riding bikes so I thought I would try it and see how it went. It made my legs hurt. So it is something I cannot do. It also played on my lower back. But if my therapist noticed it in my face she would stop me no matter how hard I wanted to try to do it. Now I know my limits and I won't push myself.

We have to learn to say when enough is enough to these therapist. Some, like mine will see it in your face and stop. Others could care less, because as was said, the no pain, no gain thing is embedded in their heads. They don't have experience enough to know that they are hurting our other problems while they think we are weak in the one they are trying to take care of.

So by all means be straight with your Dr. Ask her to help you out on this. If she is a good Dr. she will.

By the way I quit therapy for a while and tried it at home. I just have not kept up with it so I am considering going back. Some days I just really don't feel up to it.

I am glad to read the differences on here. Thanks!

Sheryl