[fern]

I got approval for some PT as I still have a monster headache 4.5 wks post-op. I think the TOS and cervical stuff was irritated simply by the position during surgery and the inability to do my usual routines since then. The approval is for my neck and spine with some thrown in for my new elbow/arm pain. (Medicare only approves PT for non-chronic pain...new probs).

I am wondering what type of PT to try as I haven't done much of anything besides Peter Edgelow style and normal myofascial.

I'm looking to mainly relieve the neck and spine. ok the arm too.

so what about ART or Hellerwork or Trigger Point or .....
I'm sure there are other threads but can anyone make suggestions that have helped them please.

I'm also going to see about the possiblilty of chiari malformation that was prev recommended on a diff thread

[JAMY]

I have been seeing a chiro who does ART and I can not get over the difference I have seen in my recovery. I can do in with an aching neck and by the next day feel a million times better! The way that he is able to stretch out the muscles (in ways obviously I can't on my own) definitely loosens everything up!!! I have had many more headaches/neck pain since my rib removal surgery 8 months ago, and while I still get them, my treatments are definitely helping...

Hope this helps!

[Jomar]

Jamy can you describe a little about the ART?
Is it positions where he does the stretches or deep fascia pressure/massage type of thing?
or combo

just curious if you can't type that much I'll look it up-
Oh I'll look it up anyway now that it popped into my mind LOL.

[Jomar]

ART info-
[HOW CAN ART HELP ME?

What is Active Release Technique (ART)?

ART is a patented, state of the art soft tissue system/movement based massage technique that treats problems with muscles, tendons, ligaments, fascia and nerves. Headaches, back pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, shin splints, shoulder pain, sciatica, plantar fasciitis, knee problems, and tennis elbow are just a few of the many conditions that can be resolved quickly and permanently with ART. These conditions all have one important thing in common: they are often a result of overused muscles.

How do overuse conditions occur?

Over-used muscles (and other soft tissues) change in three important ways:

* acute conditions (pulls, tears, collisions, etc),
* accumulation of small tears (micro-trauma)
* not getting enough oxygen (hypoxia).

Each of these factors can cause your body to produce tough, dense scar tissue in the affected area. This scar tissue binds up and ties down tissues that need to move freely. As scar tissue builds up, muscles become shorter and weaker, tension on tendons causes tendonitis, and nerves can become trapped. This can cause reduced range of motion, loss of strength, and pain. If a nerve is trapped you may also feel tingling, numbness, and weakness.

What is an ART treatment like?

Every ART session is actually a combination of examination and treatment. The ART provider uses his or her hands to evaluate the texture, tightness and movement of muscles, fascia, tendons, ligaments and nerves. Abnormal tissues are treated by combining precisely directed tension with very specific patient movements.

These treatment protocols - over 500 specific moves - are unique to ART. They allow providers to identify and correct the specific problems that are affecting each individual patient. ART is not a cookie-cutter approach.

What is the history of Active Release Techniques?

ART has been developed, refined, and patented by P. Michael Leahy, DC, CCSP. Dr. Leahy noticed that his patients’ symptoms seemed to be related to changes in their soft tissue that could be felt by hand. By observing how muscles, fascia, tendons, ligaments and nerves responded to different types of work, Dr. Leahy was able to consistently resolve over 90% of his patients’ problems. He now teaches and certifies health care providers all over the world to use ART.]
http://www.activerelease.com/about.asp

and the Google list results -
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q...e+&btnG=Search

[astern]

My Feldenkrais sessions

This helped me a great deal.

[johannakat]

My feldenkrais is also helping me make some real, permenenat feeling progress, However, it took a while (2mo?) for me to see any, and it is still just a glimpse of what could be. Medicare may not let you get PT for that long.

Cranio-sacral is very good for headaches. I saw significant improvement with 1 treatment.

GOod luck to you

Johanna