So How Is Everyone's PT Going...

[F8th637]

I was lucky in that I pretty much saw the same therapist while going to PT. There was an aide that I did work with a few times but the line of communication was very open so I never felt like I was starting over.

I hear you on the whole, "I could do this at home" thing. I think a lot of people think that about PT. It's true that once you know what you should be doing you can start doing it at home. For me, I was more apt to do it if I was actually at their office rather than at home. I hope that as time progresses they introduce more stretches and different exercises for you like they did for me. It helped keep me on my toes.

God willing, I won't have to go back to PT for a really long time since I'm now armed with the knowledge that I learned while at PT.

[SheFly]

RNRG - I think you should potentially look for a different PT. Like the others, I got to PT twice per week. My session is always with the same PT and starts with ultrasound, followed by stretching (done by the PT), followed by my exercises (she says it is good to do these while my shoulder has been stretched out, and she often will add or remove stretches based on how I am progressing), followed by stim/ice.

I have the same routine each time, and really like my PT (who also happens to be a friend and a biker).

As I mentioned in my update, my PT is going great, but I need to be a little gentler on the shoulder over the weekend .

Good luck!

SheFly

[Wahine]

RnR - I would be starting to ask if some massage would help, especially trigger point and deep tissue work in your glutes, tensor fascia lata (TFL) and vastus lateralis (the lateral part of the quad). You should also ask them if there is a way to tape your knee that might help, especially before exercise. Bracing is good but does not provide as strong a directional correction for the patella. So taping can be helpful and it's a really easy tape job to do that they should be able to teach you.

As for when to get back to sport, they are probably waiting to see how the first 3 weeks of treatment goes. If you're still sore from the PT exercises, it's likely too early to talk about returning to riding etc.

[rocknrollgirl]

I will ask about the massage and taping. I am going to check in with my tri buddy later today. I think he returns to work next week. He is recovering from his own surgery.

Glad to hear the shoulder crowd is doing well.

[HillSlugger]

RnR, are your knees being taped? The first few times I had this done most of my body hurt (knees, legs, back, etc) and I found it somewhat hard to even walk. It gets better.

[Crankin]

My first PT went well, but I find doing the neck exercises to be a pain. I can do them when I'm home, but not at work. And she wants me to do like 2-4 sets 2-3 times a day.
My neck is stiff and my whole shoulder and back on the left side doesn't feel too great either. However, the massage she did totally took away my headaches.
SheFly, you might know my PT. Her name is Heather Stark and she used to race for Boston Road Club. I'm not sure when she stopped racing, though.

[trinena]

Hello all, I'm new here but since I just started with P.T. for knee bursitis I thought I'd share. About taping- on my second visit Fri. my knee was taped with "Kinesio Tex" and it's helped with support and from my knee cap going from side to side. (injury mostly result of our 90lb dog crashing into my right knee)

This is my second time for PT (last year for lower back) and it's helped me to become stronger, more knowledgeable about my body and proper form so that I was able to complete my first sprint triathlon (former couch potato). My P.T. did a little active release therapy on Wed. and Fri. went over a couple of exercises and then ultrasound treatment. On Fri. bridging, clamshells, two legged squats but I couldn't do the one legged squats on the reformer (lightest resistance) w/o significant pain. Next week they are putting me on either a zero gravity or water treadmill. I feel as if I'm doing "something" (can't run, can't ride, can't walk for long, going crazy) by going to P.T. and like I have a support team. I work with the same P.T. and aide/trainer. Next week I'll take a list of the events I want to do for some feedback. Happy healing everyone.

[maillotpois]

Beth - glad yours is going well.

Sorry RnR - sounds like maybe some different options might be in order - like massage - great suggestion Wahine!!!

I am still 2 weeks away from PT. I had an opportunity come up for a potential new case that I just had to take which required me to move my next orthopedist appt (the one where I hope to get referred to PT and be given some concrete info as to when I am back on the bike) back a WEEK! I hated to do it, but simply could not miss this potential opportunity. Sigh.

Just did an hour and 20 minutes of Tough Love on the trainer. It is SO hard to stand, even if I balance myself (with no weight) with the bad arm. I really don't want to overdo and feel certain that I am compensating for the parts I can't use by overusing other parts. I am NOT going to hurt anything else, so I am going to go relatively easy on the bike (not doing all the standing, for example, and stopping when the shoulder/back start hurting too much).

The team did 40 miles with some good but not too bad climbing (Ink Grade). I sure hope I can keep up when I get back on the bike.

Good to hear some good PT feedback - nice to have some new folks commenting and sharing their thoughts as well. Welcome to the gimpy crowd.