Personally, PT did not help me and I ended up with surgery. But, usually due to insurance protocols, physical therapy is required before surgery will be paid for. It does work for some people and I hope it does for you.

Take care,

Marianne

I personally think trying all conservative measures before surgery should always be done, unless you are risking paralysis. Surgery should be used as a last resort. Unfortunately you don't read the good stories of people coming here and end up doing therapy and are fine. They have moved on and back out to daily busy life. If the therapy bothers you, be sure to tell the therapist the issues you are having. They should be able to adjust it to give you the most from it. Keep a open mind about doing the therapy and I do hope it helps you. Remember once you do surgery on the spine, the structure and mechanics are forever changed. Good luck and keep us posted.

My first stop in any acute event or pain flare-up is physio, so I can get evaluated and come up with a plan for me to keep up at home. I get 30 minute to an hour with them, but I get the best exercises for me at that time. Then I go see my dr as needed too.

But I am seeing him every 30 days anyway.

Cheers

I hurt myself in May and didn't see the PCP until late July/August (I was in denial and kept getting worse). I was referred directly to my NS. After my MRI and EMG the NS said since this happened so long ago he was very doubtful (as was that PT would help.

It is not a strained muscle but complete loss of disc heighth (into formin & spinal cord space). There was no treatment that would actually fix this. Sure the injections may help alleviate some pain and buy me a month or so- but my discs were not going to magically refill.

I am not rich, nor do I want to continue to be in pain. I was in complete agreement with my NS about surgery- I don't want it but I really can't live like this.

with my lumbar area PT worked great and prolong the surgery for 6 years but I finally had to have. but with my neck I went from zero to 60 in 5 seconds flat! i didn't have a chance at PT for my neck so I can't tell you about that. I know it worked well on other areas of my body. just let them know when it hurts. there will be discomfort but severe pain shouldn't happen.
I am now waiting on my post surgerical PT for my neck and I have the perfect place here in SW VA.

Good Luck to you and just remember to communicate to them with what works and doesn't work for you.

Fell over my avatar in a dark hallway 2 days before my bicycle accident. She could not lift her arm over her shoulder or reach behind her back at all.

All they did was a series of Xrays and sent her to PT. They said that if the PT did not work an mri was the next step. When my wife said she would not have surgery on it. They said then you better hope the PT works.

6 weeks later she was fine. So sometimes PT is all it takes.

I agree with TAMTAMws each & every word.

I had PT before and after my surgery.
I have had PT series since, every once in a while.

If the PTherapist is good - no harm wlll be done.
Improvement is usually gained.

Hope you feel better.
Yona

I have had wonderful experience with my regular PT. They are incredible. They often know more than the docs and take the time to explain what is going on unlike the docs.

PT is useful in several ways. It can be the fix to your problem by itself. It can get you ready for surgery by conditioning the other muscles that will be over worked as you recover. It can help to get you back to normal after surgery. Or it can be a maintenance that you will do forever to make the pain more bearable.

My whole family has used this PT for broken bones, knee surgery, shoulder surgery and in my case whiplash and disc problems.

Often PT will hurt because you are using and pushing parts of your body that do not want to work. It should be uncomfortable but not painful. The only real pain I have ever seen is the people who have major rotator cuff surgery and have to have the joints unfrozen.

A good PT will take the time to talk to you and listen to you. If your PT isn't doing this find another.

You are righ on about the rotator cuff surgery and the frozen joint. I had the rotator cuff surgery a year and half ago. My shoulder froze and had to have it done. Oh My Word! Worst or as bad the first surgery. But, nesasarry. Lived through it. Havnt had PT for fusion yet. Had it prior to surgery and it can help. Just need to have a good relationship with therapist and tell them if it hurts to much. If it does, you are not gonna do them at home and not make progress.
My ins required I do it for 6 months. But had already done some of it prior to surgery, so they gace me credit for time spent.

You are righ on about the rotator cuff surgery and the frozen joint. I had the rotator cuff surgery a year and half ago. My shoulder froze and had to have it done. Oh My Word! Worst or as bad the first surgery. But, nesasarry. Lived through it. Havnt had PT for fusion yet. Had it prior to surgery and it can help. Just need to have a good relationship with therapist and tell them if it hurts to much. If it does, you are not gonna do them at home and not make progress.
My ins required I do it for 6 months. But had already done some of it prior to surgery, so they gace me credit for time spent.

I have managed to get a lot of relief by using PT for my lumbar pain and sciatica. Don't know about neck problems. I hope that you can get some relief.