How many P.T. visits before you noticing an improvement w/ herniated cervical disc? - Hernia Message Board

rootsy13 · 12-17-2008, 02:35 PM

I know everybody is different, but I am just curious. I have 2 herniated cervical discs, osteophytes (bone spurs) and spondylosis. I have had 11 physical therapy appointments so far. I am still having pain from my shoulder blade down to my finger tips, plus some tingling and numbness in my hand. My doctor said I'm not improving as much as he would like. If I'm not feeling better in a month (8 more p.t. appt's), we will be testing for nerve damage. I also started taking Mobic last night (anti-inflammatory) and it's not helping. I'm already taking Vicodin for the pain and Robaxyn for muscle spasms.

What has your experience been like? When did you start noticing an improvement?

Nicole74 · 12-17-2008, 03:02 PM

They stopped after the third session of no improvement. They told me I would of had improvement with in the first few appointments along with the exercises at home. After there was no improvment with the physical therapy, the doctor referred me to the spine center. After I was done with each of the therapy sessions, I was in severe pain. I did not handle therapy very well.

rootsy13 · 12-18-2008, 06:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nicole74

They stopped after the third session of no improvement. They told me I would of had improvement with in the first few appointments along with the exercises at home. After there was no improvment with the physical therapy, the doctor referred me to the spine center. After I was done with each of the therapy sessions, I was in severe pain. I did not handle therapy very well.

What was involved in your therapy sessions?

Nicole74 · 12-18-2008, 09:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rootsy13

What was involved in your therapy sessions?

I had the traction on the first two sessions, the tens unit on the first session. She showed me two exercises to do at home on the first session, and two more on the second session. The second and third session she did massage. The third session she showed me one more exercise to do at home. After each session she put moist heat around my neck. I was also taking the two weeks of steroids at the time. I did do the home exercises everyday while I was in therapy. I have three herniated discs and my C5-C6 is pressing against my spinal cord.

rootsy13 · 12-18-2008, 09:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nicole74

I had the traction on the first two sessions, the tens unit on the first session. She showed me two exercises to do at home on the first session, and two more on the second session. The second and third session she did massage. The third session she showed me one more exercise to do at home. After each session she put moist heat around my neck. I was also taking the two weeks of steroids at the time. I did do the home exercises everyday while I was in therapy. I have three herniated discs and my C5-C6 is pressing against my spinal cord.

And what was done at the Spine Center? Did they help with the pain? I was on a 5 day steroid pack the first week, but it did not help. My therapy consists of 20 minutes of traction, electrical stimulus, ultrasound and massage. I'm wondering if he should just do more hands on instead of the other modalities.