smiley94
03-14-2007, 12:42 AM
:wave: Hi! Almost 9wks post-op ACDF C5-C6. I have been feeling better each day. Was wondering if I should go to therapy.. My doc doesn't really push for it so I was just wondering about others experiences. I am a nurse and was thinking that PT might help get me back into shape to go back to work..My neck feels really stiff. My next appt with my NS is April 9th, he said if I wanted to try therapy to call and he would order it for me before my next appt. So what do you all think??? I really appreciate your input!!:angel:
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TraveltoSL
03-14-2007, 01:13 AM
Hi Smiley...
Glad to hear that you are feeling and doing so good after your surgery...I had my 3rd cervical RE-fusion in Nov. and they went in from the front AND the back this time to really, REALLY fuse me solid...LOL....They used donor bone this time (first time was with my own hip bone)...and they used BMP, a peek cage, about 12 screws, rods, and plates....whew...BUT....I, like you am doing good and hope and pray that this one sticks!!!
Ok, enough about me....HAHA...Yes, I totally believe in PT....at least for the first month and then follow up at home with the exercise bands and stretches at least 4-5 times...even more.... a day....I also work out at Curves (hope I'm allowed to say where...not trying to advertise, just mentioning) 3-5 times a week to help strengthen all my other muscles and keep my core...stomach...in shape which in turn makes my back/neck stronger...which in turn keeps my neck less painful....I love the ultrasound/massage that they do in PT:):) Feels SOOOOO good.....
I also pay, out of pocket, for a deep tissue massage maybe once a month to really work out all the muscle spasms that can happen because of "babying" my neck when it hurts...After having 3 surgeries....I will always have some residual pain and am on pain meds along with other natural things to help out....(Everyone who doesn't know what a deep tissue massage is like for a person with chronic neck pain, surgery, and spasms always thinks..."ohhhh...a massage....how decadent"....HAHAHA....If they only knew that I am in agony the whole time and after but it REALLY helps keep those spasms from getting too wild!!!
So, that is my long, drawn out answer...yes:) I think it's very helpful and truly learned that strengthening the neck/back/shoulder muscles is very helpful in managing my pain and help in healing....
One helpful hint....whenever you are cleared, (for me it was 3 months) to take ibuprofen....I found it really helped to take it right before my PT appt. to keep my muscles loose and not be too sore after the PT as well...
Good luck and really glad to hear another success story:)
Blessings,
Ingrid
Glad to hear that you are feeling and doing so good after your surgery...I had my 3rd cervical RE-fusion in Nov. and they went in from the front AND the back this time to really, REALLY fuse me solid...LOL....They used donor bone this time (first time was with my own hip bone)...and they used BMP, a peek cage, about 12 screws, rods, and plates....whew...BUT....I, like you am doing good and hope and pray that this one sticks!!!
Ok, enough about me....HAHA...Yes, I totally believe in PT....at least for the first month and then follow up at home with the exercise bands and stretches at least 4-5 times...even more.... a day....I also work out at Curves (hope I'm allowed to say where...not trying to advertise, just mentioning) 3-5 times a week to help strengthen all my other muscles and keep my core...stomach...in shape which in turn makes my back/neck stronger...which in turn keeps my neck less painful....I love the ultrasound/massage that they do in PT:):) Feels SOOOOO good.....
I also pay, out of pocket, for a deep tissue massage maybe once a month to really work out all the muscle spasms that can happen because of "babying" my neck when it hurts...After having 3 surgeries....I will always have some residual pain and am on pain meds along with other natural things to help out....(Everyone who doesn't know what a deep tissue massage is like for a person with chronic neck pain, surgery, and spasms always thinks..."ohhhh...a massage....how decadent"....HAHAHA....If they only knew that I am in agony the whole time and after but it REALLY helps keep those spasms from getting too wild!!!
So, that is my long, drawn out answer...yes:) I think it's very helpful and truly learned that strengthening the neck/back/shoulder muscles is very helpful in managing my pain and help in healing....
One helpful hint....whenever you are cleared, (for me it was 3 months) to take ibuprofen....I found it really helped to take it right before my PT appt. to keep my muscles loose and not be too sore after the PT as well...
Good luck and really glad to hear another success story:)
Blessings,
Ingrid
sunshine221
03-14-2007, 03:01 PM
I also believe in PT -- BUT!!!!! -- you need a PT trained in spine/nervous system - my understanding is one certification is McKenzie Method -- I found a great PT, he helped me learn proper neck exercises, posture, etc.
smiley94
03-14-2007, 11:39 PM
:) :wave:
Ingrid- Thanks for the input. At how many weeks post-op did you start therapy. I have also been thinking about massage, I have a friend who is a massage therapist and willing to help out. When did you start massage? Best of luck to you!:angel:
Sunshine- How do you find a PT certified in Mckenzie method, my doc didn't seem to have a preferred PT.
Does anyone else have any input? Thanks in advance!:) :)
Ingrid- Thanks for the input. At how many weeks post-op did you start therapy. I have also been thinking about massage, I have a friend who is a massage therapist and willing to help out. When did you start massage? Best of luck to you!:angel:
Sunshine- How do you find a PT certified in Mckenzie method, my doc didn't seem to have a preferred PT.
Does anyone else have any input? Thanks in advance!:) :)
BobM
03-15-2007, 09:19 AM
My Dr gave me an Rx for PT after I requested, but did not offer on his own. My PT showed me some relatively simple exercises which I could do at home, and they helped a great deal. I went to PT for several weeks to make sure I was doing OK and had the right form for doing the exercises, so the actual PT was not a drawn out affair, but I still do the exercises 3 years later, especially when I start having pain and stiffness. I also do the deep tissue massage since I have some chronic pain and some spasms - I am fused C4/5/6/7 with two ACDFs with donor bone and plates. Some days are better than others, and I still feel like I am improving, two years after my last surgery.
Good luck!
Bob
Good luck!
Bob
TraveltoSL
03-15-2007, 11:07 AM
Hi there,
Gosh Bob, we could be twins in the neck dept.!!! Even though I am "one up" on you with the surgeries....LOL....I pray that you stay at two and can manage your pain without another....
Smiley...I agree with Bob that you can go to PT for bit to get used to the exercise and stretching plan and take advantage of their ultrasound machine to "break up" the muscle spasms.....
I started PT about a month after my surgery....Once they teach you the techniques, you can buy the inexpensive stretch bands (different colors for different strengths) and keep them at home to do when needed...
I would ABSOLUTELY take advantage of your friend being a massage therapist as long as they are familiar with dealing with your surgery and can be very delicate not to push directly on the spine but boy, does that help keep all my other muscles nice and loose since I also have Fibromyalgia and with our surgeries, we really tend to tighten up all the other muscles to compensate for our neck...Since I have to pay out of pocket...if you can get it for free or at a dicount....go for it!!!
I am not familiar with this McKenzie method so can't say anything about that....I just went to a PT that was in my insurance plan and specializes in rehabilitation after cervical surgery which lots of them are....
Good luck,
Blessings,
Ingrid
Gosh Bob, we could be twins in the neck dept.!!! Even though I am "one up" on you with the surgeries....LOL....I pray that you stay at two and can manage your pain without another....
Smiley...I agree with Bob that you can go to PT for bit to get used to the exercise and stretching plan and take advantage of their ultrasound machine to "break up" the muscle spasms.....
I started PT about a month after my surgery....Once they teach you the techniques, you can buy the inexpensive stretch bands (different colors for different strengths) and keep them at home to do when needed...
I would ABSOLUTELY take advantage of your friend being a massage therapist as long as they are familiar with dealing with your surgery and can be very delicate not to push directly on the spine but boy, does that help keep all my other muscles nice and loose since I also have Fibromyalgia and with our surgeries, we really tend to tighten up all the other muscles to compensate for our neck...Since I have to pay out of pocket...if you can get it for free or at a dicount....go for it!!!
I am not familiar with this McKenzie method so can't say anything about that....I just went to a PT that was in my insurance plan and specializes in rehabilitation after cervical surgery which lots of them are....
Good luck,
Blessings,
Ingrid
sunshine221
03-15-2007, 04:16 PM
I started PT about a month after surgery, I did have to ask, the doc didn't think it necessary. My first PT said she worked with C-spine patients but turned out to be clueless- when a friend mentioned MacKenzie method I had to call around but I found someone great!! I did PT for about 4-5 months and then he felt I had a good routine on my own. I currently (18 m post surgery) - swim (mostly backstroke to keep my spine straight) for about 20 min and then water-walk for 10-15 in the mornings, go to Curves at night and then go home and treadmill for 30 min then stretch and every other day do leg weights -- don't know how much it all helps but I've lost 20 pounds since right before surgery.
smiley94
03-16-2007, 01:05 AM
:wave: Hi! Thanks for all of the input. I really appreciate it since my doc didn't really seem to think it was necessary. I think it's worth a shot so I'm going to call for an order.
Bob- I also have donor bone and plate. So far so good. I wonder why the docs don't automatically order PT? It only makes sense to me. Nice to hear your story.
Ingrid- How soon did you start massage after surgery, do you lay on your stomach or on a chair. I haven't layed on my stomach yet since surgery so I was wondering. I think I may try it.
Sunshine- It sounds like you have a great program going. I hope to get there too. I have some extra pounds that I need to drop. I just started back at weight watchers, used to go to Curves about a yr ago but had to stop because of schedule conflict, how is Curves after surgery, are you able to do the whole circuit? I would like to get back into that, I felt so good when I was going there! My parents have a pool so I'm hoping to do a lot of swimming this summer.
Thanks again! Best of luck to everyone!:angel:
Bob- I also have donor bone and plate. So far so good. I wonder why the docs don't automatically order PT? It only makes sense to me. Nice to hear your story.
Ingrid- How soon did you start massage after surgery, do you lay on your stomach or on a chair. I haven't layed on my stomach yet since surgery so I was wondering. I think I may try it.
Sunshine- It sounds like you have a great program going. I hope to get there too. I have some extra pounds that I need to drop. I just started back at weight watchers, used to go to Curves about a yr ago but had to stop because of schedule conflict, how is Curves after surgery, are you able to do the whole circuit? I would like to get back into that, I felt so good when I was going there! My parents have a pool so I'm hoping to do a lot of swimming this summer.
Thanks again! Best of luck to everyone!:angel:
SKZ
03-16-2007, 12:22 PM
Smiley,
You and I had our surgeries very close together (Jan 10th C5-C7). I pretty much assumed I would never be able to go to the gym again and do the machines. I started back last week though. I am going real easy and not doing hardly any upper body machines. The only one I am doing is the one for your upper back. Thats the one where you sit down and hold the handles in each hand...then you pull straight back. My PT has me doing that in therapy and she said (for me) that its good to do (with very very light weights). But I wouldnt start it until a P.T. gave you the OK. You could end up using bad form and making things worse. e.g. I tend to hunch up ALOT, and they have to point this out to me alot in PT (when I am using the machines). Hunching is a NO NO.
Also, I am doing the recumbent exercise bike for 30 mins everyday. That helps me alot, esp. psychologically. When is your next surgeon appt? Definitely discuss this with them, ok?
You and I had our surgeries very close together (Jan 10th C5-C7). I pretty much assumed I would never be able to go to the gym again and do the machines. I started back last week though. I am going real easy and not doing hardly any upper body machines. The only one I am doing is the one for your upper back. Thats the one where you sit down and hold the handles in each hand...then you pull straight back. My PT has me doing that in therapy and she said (for me) that its good to do (with very very light weights). But I wouldnt start it until a P.T. gave you the OK. You could end up using bad form and making things worse. e.g. I tend to hunch up ALOT, and they have to point this out to me alot in PT (when I am using the machines). Hunching is a NO NO.
Also, I am doing the recumbent exercise bike for 30 mins everyday. That helps me alot, esp. psychologically. When is your next surgeon appt? Definitely discuss this with them, ok?
smiley94
03-19-2007, 12:42 AM
SKZ- I am going for a PT eval this week. My next post-op appt is April 9th. Did you feel better once you started PT? I feel so stiff that I hope it will help with that. MY NS said if they have me do anything in therapy that causes pain to tell them to stop. He doesn't always order PT, could it make things worse? I have been feeling pretty good lately. I just don't want to do anything to mess things up... Thanks for your input.:angel:
SKZ
03-19-2007, 12:23 PM
I do feel better since starting P.T. I have gone for about 7 sessions so far. They go very easy on me. They are kind of working on 2 areas of my body because I also have a sacrum that is messed up (uneven hips) and it is all related to why my spasms are so bad in my upper body. Besides the exercises, they do ultrasound and electrical stimulation on me. (and heat packs). I feel like I have more range of motion, now that i do some gentle stretching. Let us know how the eval goes.