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RSD PUZZLE #6
Physical Therapy

"There have been references in the literature that physical therapy can aggravate pain and RSD. Yet in every outline of treatment for RSD, the use of physical therapy is emphasized. These two statements seem to be contradictory."
H. Hooshmand, M.D.[/QUOTE]
http://www.rsdrx.com/rsdpuz4.0/puz_6.htm


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COPYRIGHT© 1997-2009 H. Hooshmand, M.D.





i really like rding Hooshmand's puzzles.... he has lots of good advice 4 the RSD patient!

What does this mean? "Three days a week in the P.T. Department is not enough. The RSD patient should continue the instructions of the physical therapist from morning to night with equal periods of rest and exercise." That we are supposed to live our lives doing PT constantly? This is not realistic. I just don't understand it. Someone want to try & explain this to me? Because most of what this "Doctor" says irritates me.

personally, i think he means that we should try 2 use our affected limbs (as instructed by OT or PT) during the day. PLUS, rest as needed! i would love 2 rest in my recliner all day.... but i push myself 2 move about & use my left hand, arm, etc. have u ever read any of his puzzles? google hooshmand..... sorry he irritates u!

My personal opinion.... these puzzles from Hooshmand are quite outdated and sometimes are not realistic...again...this is just my opinion.

I have read many of these... I never attempt to use anything from this site or any other, without my doctors approval, ie...print them out, take to doctor and discuss with him.

Reminder... None of us with RSD are the same... we don't react the same to medicines or therapies.

I have printed a lot of things and taken them to my doctor... some we tried... most things were dismissed as not being something for me to try.

Just my two cents worth...

Abbie

oh, i agree w/u...... i never do anything w/o dr's approval! i just like reading & researching about this crazy RSD!! i'm just a yr into all of this! and i've really enjoyed rding opinions from all of u!

PT very, very slowly continues to increase my shoulder ROM from a huge surgery last April, that preceeded my RSD, but PT continues to push me to where I need another stellate block (had 6 now, getting #7 next week). W/O the PT, I would likely need fewer blocks, but also would have a stiffer, more painful and less usable shoulder (although it's not good for &*#! now)

It's a damned if you do; damned if you don't thing, I think!

Of course, everyone has a unique experience!

I have been on 2 intense Physical Therapy Programs at Great Ormond Street Childrens Hospital in London (England) which lasted 3 weeks. I had Physical Therapy from 9am to about 3.30pm, 5 days a week.

It was extremely painful and probably one of the hardest things I have ever had to do but the first one helped me and allowed me to walk short distances again (I was fully wheelchair bound before that). The second one however, didn't work at all and I think it made me a little worse if anything.

I still have excrutiating pain every day as well as all of the other symptoms of RSD and Dystonia but it's made a difference to me being able to walk. I can only walk very short distances but even being able to potter around the house is better than nothing. If I am going out in public, we have to take either my wheelchair or crutches most of the time - though I try and walk for as long as I can.

My PTs wanted me to go onto the PT Program again to try and get my RSD under control but my doctor doesn't want me to at the moment as even the lightest exercises REALLY hurt me and I flare up after PT. I'm not only doing PT every 2-3 weeks at my local childrens hospital to see if that will help reduce any of my symptoms.

I think what the article is saying is that you MUST keep moving as much as possible. Even walking, moving your legs a little is all considered as some form of Physical Therapy. As most doctors say, if you don't move, you will lose your limbs.

Interesting post, thanks for bringing it up!