How often should i go to PT (diagnosed 2 months ago)
 

I was curious how often folks go to PT, especially if you are in the beggining of your therapy. I have been in pt for 2-3 weeks and was diagnosed about 6-8 weeks ago. I now go twice a week instead of 3 times just to save money on my co-pays.
Thanks

hi,
 

I just started last week but I will go two times a week. I would think that would be plenty.

Ada

When I was first diagnosed with RSD in my left leg in July 2007, my Pain Management Doctor admitted me into hospital so I was having PT all the time. If I wasn't having PT with the Pain Physical Therapists then I was having it with the ward PT's.

I was having PT daily in the hospital for about 3 weeks and then they decided to release me and I went to my local childrens hospital every 2 days for PT. It was getting way to stressful for us so the PTs eventually decided to lower it to once a week after a long period of time.

I now go to my local childrens hospital for PT once a week although I have to do exercises on a daily basis at home that I have been given by my PT's. It is stressful doing the exercises at home every day, but it is easier than having to go into hospital every few days as it is about an hour and half each way!!

I think it really depends on the indiviual and how severe the RSD is. I would speak to your doctor and see what he/she suggests. It's REALLY important that you keep moving as much as possible but on the other hand, you don't want to do too much and make yourself worse.

Take care and I hope the PT helps you!

I went during the first round 2 x's a week an hour. One day office, one day pool. That was only for a month. The 2nd time it was still twice a week for an hour but only office that time. I was "dismissed" halfway through the 12 sessions as it was not helping and only making me worse.

Hugs,

Karen

I was just diagnosed a few wks ago (hand and arm) and am in the middle of getting the nerve blocks done (2 a wk for 3 wks). I have been going for 3 x's a wk for 2 months now. Wasn't helping anymore so that's why they are doing the blocks. The blocks are helping the pain and hopefully then I can progress in therapy.

I went two or three times a week for a year. It took that long to get range of motion back to left shoulder after surgery. That is when my RSD began. Before pt, I went to massage therapy for an hour so I got my shoulder warmed up and loosened up. I think it helped to get use of my shoulder back sooner. About a year or year and a half, my RSD moved to the other shoulder and had to start pt and massage therapy again. Got the use of right shoulder sooner second time around. Then was in remission again for another year and then got frozen left hand from water skiing. Back to pt, but only got half of fingers moving this time. Left hand is like a claw. But I can use it and cut up my own food and dress myself. Also got desensitizing done during therapy, so I'm not sensitive to touching or clothes etc like sometime. I think that is a very important part of therapy. Besides desensitizing me at therapy, they had me working at home everyday on desensitizing my hand with different things, like running my fingers thru sand, coffee grounds, cotton balls, rice, beans, different textures in tupperware containers.
Also something that really helped me in getting and keeping use of all my limbs is water therapy. I now have full body RSD-13 years. Swimming in 86 degree water has kept me out of a wheel chair and walking. A lot of health clubs or YMCA have pools that are not expensive, like 24 hr fitness etc. For me that has helped me tremendously.I have heard it is important for the water to not be too cold.
Hope the best for you. Epson Salts in a bathtub are very good for us. I stretch every day, either in a warm bathtub or floor work. So important to gently keep moving. Don't let them get too aggressive with you, that can be damaging. Take care, loretta:)

Lot of PTwhile in the hospital for my broken leg...it actually took me almost 2 years to be able.to go up and down stairs like an adult. Sometimes it was excruciating as my RSD wasn't diagnosed and many tears were shed from the pain. Almost 5 years later, I'm going back to PT to strengthen my leg to hopefully avoide a total knee replacement, strenthen my back with it's herniated discs and hopefully get advice for an at home regimen. I tried the gym, but didn't feel comfortable, people woud push me aside and take the machines and I felt totally unfortable. The thought of surgery with RSD actually makes me nauseaus. We'll see what happens, but I know I'm still working because of all those months of PT the first couple of years. Good luck. The therapists I worked with were incredible, in fact it was a PT who first suggested I might have RSD. So good luck. Lynnie..ONE MOMENT CAN CHANGE EVERYTHING!