As you may know, I have started PT last week, I am also seeing a chiro which seems to be helping.

Had great results in the beginning of the week but I think they may have pushed me too hard on Friday because I've had nerve pain in the last 2 days. I believe it was the overhead exercises and also the massage in the shoulder area was very painful.

Is this part of the process? getting worse before getting better or should I take it easier?

Go slower and easier. I've never seen anyone on this forum who improved by "pushing through the pain." TOS doesn't fall into the "no pain, no gain" category.

Good luck,
Kelly

Thanks Kelly. I will have a talk with my PT guy on Tuesday.

For those of you who have already been through PT, what is the ratio between massage and stretching/exercises? I don't want them to half *** the job, it's a very expensive treatment and I want the most out of it. It's so easy for them to send you to a corner to sweat by yourself, well that is something I can do at home without paying someone. Any input appreciated.

Does PT ask what your pain level is at start of each session?
And how you felt between sessions?

The best ones seem to do that, so they can adjust, address any new pain, or back off intensity.

If you are still having pain level of 2-3 or higher, exercises might not be right to do yet.
depends on how strenuous and what they are having you do..

I eventually went to about 6 different PT people/ places, luckily they got better each time..
don't be afraid to speak up or seek out a higher skilled PT

This was only my second session...the first one went great, he did a lot of massage and loosening up the shoulder and I did some stretches.

The second time I got a super hyper chick who butchered my shoulder and made me do a lot of overhead exercises etc.

My next 8 apps are with Pete, he was just on vacation on Friday. I think he is much better than her.

My chiro is amazing and I feel like a million bucks when I leave her office. I'm just not sure at this point how much they should be focusing on massage, my muscles are still pretty tight. Pain level is anywhere between 3-4, some days even 2. The nerve medication has helped a lot.

Yesterday was the only day when my pain went back up to a 8. Today it is stable at 3 again.

uugghh, some just have the hyper/go for it attitude...

Hope Pete can fix you up in the rest of the sessions.

Yes, I did not like her at all. She was talking to other people while massaging my shoulder, or best to say while the was torturing me.

Then she sent me off with a technician who was just following instructions and had no clue what TOS is. Not his fault, but all I'm saying is, I expect much better next time otherwise I will go somewhere else. I already lost 4 months to incompetent drs.

When I first started PT it was a joke. Then they more than doubled my number of hours doing PT ( there was no gradual increase) and at the same time they increased the intensity of the exercises. By the 4 th day I couldn't walk and the doc had to call in steroids. I don't trust them at all. Just use your best judgement and trust what your body is telling you!

I'm sorry to hear you had such a bad experience...I almost started laughing but not because it was funny.

Have you found a new PT that knows what they are doing?

As a side note: they have reduced the number of hours I am in therapy this week AND it will be all water therapy. Hopefully this will be better. I am hoping that my doc will allow me to change to a different therapist where I feel safe and am treated with respect.