Thoughts About PT
 

My doctor told me to start seeing a physical therapist. I've only been to two sessions, but from what I can tell it seems pretty useless. So far, they have told me to get on a bike and start peddling. After five seconds (not to my surprise) I get a headache/fogginess. So then they switch me to another type of exercise..resistance, weight machines, etc. I come back home and feel awful physically and mentally.

Does anyone else do physical therapy for psc? What are your opinions of it and what does your rehab involve? Has it been successful?

Physical exercise is good for PCS. The flow of endorphins is helpful to the brain. If you get so uncomfortable from the exertion, I would want to have your blood pressure checked while you exercise. Are the headaches blood pressure related? If so, that is a bad sign.

The extra blood flow to the brain is also good, but not if it is increasing pressure in the brain.

I exercise in a pool. I cannot swim for very long so I walk back and forth the length of the pool up to 40 times. I combine the walking with breast-stroke motions with my arms. I never get winded but still get a good work-out.

You could also just go for long walks or bike rides. Just keep you blood flow going, even if at a slow pace.

The PT sounds like a fees churning mechanism. Some doctors get a referral fee for the referral. Some own a piece of the PT clinic or even employ the PT directly. $$$$$$

I saw a spine PT for a few months after my fall. I wanted to make sure that my pain was muscle related and not structural. She helped to alleviate some of the muscle tension I was experiencing. She gave me ideas on how to deal with the muscle tension on my own. She did do some myofacial release to help me deal with the headaches I was experiencing. It was a good idea to go and she wasn't one of those who keeps you coming back. She would see me every couple of weeks for a few months and then I was released.

I hear you on the exercise stuff. Because I also have a seizure disorder, I am not able to drive until the end of July. Therefore, walking and biking are my only means of transportation. Biking does not feel so good on my head when I hit bumps in the road. My general doc told me I should be riding a stationary bike instead. Can't get very far on one of those!! I found out the other day when I went on a field trip with my daughter that riding a school bus pretty much puts me over the edge regarding headaches. I suffer, but it is better than having to tell her no. I can tolerate weight lifting much more than the cardio. I usually don't feel bad while I am exercising, its usually afterwards. But, I continue to do it because I know it is good for me!?! Honestly, I haven't found anything except for laying in bed, that makes me feel better and I can't spend the rest of my life in bed. So, I will continue working out and paying for it afterwards until this clears up.

sheds,

I know what you mean about the bumps when bike riding. My wife and I were very picky about how our SUV handles bumps in the road because they can send me for a loop.

Have you looked into a new seat for your bike. The old fashion seats with the spring suspension are back on the market. There are also seat posts that have shock absorption built into the post.

Also, reducing the pressure in the tires can help.

I just spent hours replacing the elastomeric shocks on my bike because they had become stiff. The replacements are still too stiff. I will need to find softer springs since the elastomeric material is hard to find in a variety of stiffnesses now. I got the front shock to work better but the rear shocks feel like they are rock hard.

I have to avoid some road that I know are rough. I can see a ski area from my front porch but I cannot ski there because the road up the mountain has to many sharp turns (156 turns) and too many rough spots. Last time I tried it, I was a mess afterward.

Why are blood pressure related headaches a bad sign?

Blood pressure head aches can mean that your brain may have swelling that is made worse by the blood pressure rise. If you brain is sensitive to blood pressure rises, I would check with a doctor.

I believe everybody should have their own blood pressure measurement equipment. Automatic blood pressure meters can be purchased at the drug store for about $25 and up.

Get used to taking your blood pressure through out the day so you get an understanding of what is your normal. When you have a head ache, you can check you BP. If it is higher than normal, you can chart the pressure at which the head ache appears.

If your headaches are not connected to BP, then there is no need to be concerned about your BP. Unless it is usually high.

Brain injuries can injure the mechanism that helps regulate blood pressure.

So, learn about blood pressure and take control of this part of your health.

I'll try and get one of those soon. As always, thanks for the help =)

I wanted to add, that a good pt or what is called a PT aide will be monitoring
your blood pressure too. I would be questioning them as to whether they
could check it for you. Explaining that you have a very bad headache.

Give them the symptoms you are experiencing and let them help you. I used PT for help after my PCS. I had a stiff neck, I have to admit it took a very
long time to get my neck to move. It took almost 1 year to get it to move
to the one side. I went for my very last visit and was so excited because
my therapist had tried everything there was, and it had finally released
that week before that visit. But I loved to go and knew I was going to
miss it.

I have also had it for other things since. I have a balance problem and
have to admit its help immensely. Thankfully they are my friends now.

I've been going for over 2 years now off and on.

Donna