So How Is Everyone's PT Going...

[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.

[RolliePollie]

Lame ankle and foot girl here. Got my final PT billing statement today Does that qualify me to post here?

I'm happy to read about some good PT experiences. Mine was not so good, and I believe that my slow recovery from tendonitis (close to 3 months now) is actually because of my PT's over zealous use of electrical stimulus and iontopheresis. But the good news is, my ankle is doing quite well and my foot is trying really hard to be better. It's still doing bizarre tingly nerve things and it swells up out of the blue every now and then. I bought myself an ankle brace and it seems to be helping. I can tolerate long walks and downhill skiing and spinning on the trainer, AND here's the exciting news...tomorrow I'm going to try a short ride!!! Yahoo!!!!

Good luck to all the walking wounded out there. Hopefully by the time Spring arrives, everyone will be all better!

[rocknrollgirl]

I am glad to hear updates. Feels good to have a support group. I think part of my problem is that there is no "normal" in these situations and I want to know what is normal.

Is is normal for me to be achy after treatments?

I asked about continuing to spin and they told me as long as I am not having any sharp pain while doing an activity and no pain for 2 hours after I am ok.

Do they really mean that? So it is ok to be achy the next day?


ARGGGHHHH. I guess I just want more solid assurances. It is part my paranoia and part my doubting nature.....

[Wahine]

I'm going to post my guidelines here on the achy factor. I hope it doesn't just confuse people more.

General rule of thumb (there are always exceptions, especially if part of the treatment includes breaking up scar tissue):

Sharp pain is bad and activities that cause sharp pain during the activity should be avoided until discussed further with the PT

Muscle aching is OK and even good. I think most of you understand this.

A little aching in an injured joint, tendon, ligament is OK as long as it subsides within 2 hours of the activity and does not cause a change in function eg limping. If it lasts longer that 2 hours or causes a change in function, it may still be a good activity but requires some tweaking (time, intensity, positioning...)

Intense aching that last longer than a day is an indicator of an activity that you're not ready for and needs to be adjusted.

No aching in the injured tissue at all during an activity followed by aching later that day or the next day, typically means that the achig is coming from increased stress on the area from muscle imblances that are working against you either during the activity or as they tighten up afterward. That means closer attention to stretching, self myofascial release, yoga.

Phew. Hope that helps and doesn't confuse.