Does physical therapy help PMR?

I cannot comment on PT.
However, I can share my personal experience had been full of an attempt at exercise daily, no matter my condition. I did POOL PT, and continued long after…..just get in the pool and walk, add ankle weights and foam dumbbells, anything you do on land, do it in pool.
I have a trainer for 20+yrs. She is a “functional movement specialist”. At abt my one yr point she added to her “skills” the TVT….targeted vibration therapy.
(I’m 79yo female)
Bottom line, yes get all the help you can.
And ask all the questions you can.

Physical exercise is important anytime. PMR is not considered a muscle wasting disease however lack of use and age can be. You may not feel like doing much but the movement of your muscles will help. I could barely get out of bed but would go to the gym and least try to get things moving. I believe it helped me with getting through my days and led to a faster recovery. My PMR went dormant at about 6 months. That was about 5 years ago.

Before I was diagnosed, the clueless gp ordered PT and meloxicam (massive NSAID). It helped a little as they measured it but it did nothing to alleviate the inflammation. No, PMR is not a muscle wasting disease, but I have found prednisone to be a muscle wasting treatment (along with bone, heart, and skin). You feel young again as parts of your body dissolve into aging. I am post prednisone now and feel much more functional than before, but also feel much older. I have taken up weights and elliptical to try to regain muscle and bone. I continue to do some of the PT exercises that I learned before prednisone. I also take calcium, Vitamin D and C, and biotin. The rheumy wanted me to go back on prednisone, but I have found naproxen to be helpful without all the other side effects. I think it all helps.

Physical therapy, Thai Chi, yoga and walking were very beneficial to me while tapering off Prednisone.
Changing my diet to more healthy protein and vegetables and moving every day were essential in my healing.
I am off Prednisone reducing KEVZARA gradualy and feeling much better.
Good luck to you.

I went to PT for several weeks. What I got out of it was some exercises which are easily going on YouTube. I also go to aqua-fit and the hot tub 3 times per week which I find far more beneficial not to mention cheaper.

I believe that any mild exercise helps with PMR symptoms and also with general aging issues. Initially when I was diagnosed with PMR a year ago I received PT for several months. Now I just go to a gym 5 - 6 times per week. I find a recumbent elliptical is great exercise for me. Also use some light weights. Down to 8 mg prednisone in morning plus Kevzara and tapering 1 mg per month. Exercise about 3 hours after I take prednisone and definitely feel better for rest of day.

@tweetypie13 I too am a 79yo female who was diagnosed with PMR in July after 5 mos of pt.
I’m tapering…down to 3 next month. I continue to play tennis 3x week and walk on days off.
So far so good. I realize everyone is different but I’m of the move it or lose it mindset.

"Have PMR one year. On pregnesone taper. Dr suggested PT.”

That seems unusual. What made the doctor suggest PT? Because you are generally deconditioned or is prednisone not working, or did they suggest it for some other problem?

I find that PT generally helps a lot, except when it doesn’t. Sometimes it has done more harm than good and then I’ve needed to recover from PT. Physical therapists vary a lot in skill level, so researching and finding a good one is time well spent, in my opinion.

@rona7
I highly recommend Mel Robbin’s podcast on autoimmune Diseases. She interview Dr Sara Szal.
I wish I heard it before starting Prednisone and avoided all the side effects. I believe that
There is an alternative healing way for PMR. Perhaps not for everybody but definitely for some. Take care and Happy Holiday.

I used PT, Acupuncture, Tai Chi, walking, etc. PT was not as effective as it could’ve been initially, because I was so afraid of triggering a relapse. Also things get more difficult for some people as they taper to lower doses.
In my case I had to learn to ignore a certain amount of discomfort in order to get through the process of getting off of prednisone.
Later on in the process, I became so weak that that was causing new pains. When I went back to PT at that time, I lost my fear and really started pushing myself, especially towards the end.
That worked for me. I kind of wish I’d been braver sooner, but it’s possible that this was just the path that I needed to take.
I’ve been off of prednisone for a little over three months now.
Everyone's path is different. But exercise is really helpful, and paying attention to your diet is also very important. There are some foods and supplements that can be very helpful, but everyone is different. Also, not everyone gets every repercussion. It's possible that you could be one of the lucky ones. Good luck!