OT: PT for a Herniated/Slipped Disc?

[lynninpa]

In a few days, I will be starting PT for a herniated/slipped disc. A few people have told me that the PT itself can be very painful. Just wondering if any fellow Disers have gone through PT for the same reason and if so, what can you tell me about it? TIA!

 

[Aristomommy]

I am a PT, and can tell you from my point of view what you can expect. First of all, it depends on the philosophy of the PT what treatment protocol they may use. Initially doing anything new can be painful, but overall you should feel better not worse. If you are in a lot of pain right now, some of the modalities used can make a great difference in your pain for the better.

Ask a lot of questions so you understand why you are asked to do a particular exercise or modality. Open communication with your PT is so important. If you have more questions, feel free to PM me. The fact that PT has to be painful in order to work (no pain no gain) is a great misconception.

 

[LAD1108]

I have L4/L5 S1 problem (almost 5 years worth) I had PT the first time I hurt my back---the PT put me back on my feet and for almost 2 years I was OK and pain free. The second time I hurt myself, the PT didn't work as well, but still helped. Give it a try and do the excersises they tell you to do but don't over due it. If they tell do this 5x---do it 5x no more no less.


Good Luck

 

[amarberry]

I have two herniated discs and arthritis in my back and did PT almost 2 years and again last winter. At the point when I started PT, I was in a lot of pain, so PT was a major relief. It wasn't instant relief, but within a couple of weeks I was feeling better. I had been to chiropractors and my GP for my back issues before I started PT. I think of my physical therapist as a miracle worked who made me feel mostly normal again.

 

[lynninpa]

Thank you all for your replies, advice and encouragement!

 

[bzzymom]

I am currently undergoing physical therapy for my back. I am a RN and I work in ICU and on May 14th I was trying to keep a combative, confused person for climbing out of bed. I was bent forward over the patient and when I went to stand upright, I couldn't. It was 2 hours before I could get down to the ED. My relief had to come from out of town, I had just got an admission and I had a lot of paper work to do, which was hard because I was in such pain and every time I moved the slightest, my back would spasm and it was absolutely awful. I had to be lifted by my co-workers to be put in a wheelchair to go to ED. It was the worst agony I have ever had in my life, it made childbirth seem like a papercut. I was told I had a muscle strain and I was given pain killers and muscle relaxers. I did not have any xrays or any MRI before I started PT (3 days after the injury). I was in pain when I went there, and I left there in pain. I was not able to do very much at all. My left leg was very weak, I could barely walk. At the end of PT, they ran ultrasound and it did help. It did hurt, and when there were things that hurt too bad, they had me stop or they tried something else. Also, after the first 2 weeks, they changed from ultrasound to electrical stim treatment after I was done exercising. The stim didn't relieve my pain completely, but it did help greatly. I leave therapy feeling about the way I do going in. I will tell you that my worst pain is when I am laying on my back doing the exercises. It is necessary though, and I try to keep going so that I get it done and over with. My reward, and the end is the electrical stim with a cold compress over it..

Going through workman's comp has been kind of a hassle. I wasn't getting better and I wanted an MRI and they declined it until my pain had been going on for over 1 month. I do not have a herniated disc. I do have a tear in the disc with some bulding, plus a strain/sprain of the sacroiliac area. My back is still swollen. It is slowly getting better though. I have not been able to go back to work. Last week I had my 1st of 3 steroid injections. I have seen a little relief of the pain, it still bothers me to sit, but my mobility is improving. For example, 1 week after the injury, I couldn't get the cardiobike to turn on because you have to pedal it at 30 rpm, but now, I can go on it for 10 minutes. I still walk with a limp though. I getting better, and I feel PT has had a lot to do with it.

Sorry this is so long. I offer you the best of luck and encouragement.