Hello everyone

I could use some suggestions about physical therapy.

The background info is that I have been through PT several times. The things we have tried are-
heat, cold, trigger point release, ultrasound, muscle strengthening, flexibility, massage, TENS unit, and probably some other stuff I am forgetting.

My problem with PT and the reason I quit after a few sessions is that the physical therapists always want to push beyond my limits, and do things beyond what the doc prescribes -- and I believe this is due to the fact that nearly all doctors (including mine) always use that check box on the PT form that says "evaluate and treat as necessary".

Well that check box seems to give the therapist freedom to do things as they see fit.

Now for most people needing PT I can see how this would be a good thing, since the physical therapist is usually better at knowing exactly how to rehab a person because that is their job and they have experience.

My problem seems to be that so far every PT I have seen seems to have absolutely no knowledge or experience with connective tissue diseases and hyperflexibility, and very little knowledge/experience about fibro and myofascial pain.

So now for the part I need suggestions about....

How should I discuss this with my doctor? I want to request more PT, but I somehow want to make it clear that I do not want the 'examine and treat as necessary' box to be checked on the form.

In addition there are only certain types of PT that I feel are helpful to me so I could use some suggestions on how to say to the doc "I want this, this and this, but not that that and that".

My doctor and I have a great relationship and I am usually not at all concerned about how to communicate with her, but this PT issue is a big one for me, so I could use some suggestions because I want to make sure that I am clear about my needs without sounding like a demanding witch.

Thanks in advance,
Liz